Dancing On Ice lineup 2021: From Rebekah Vardy to Jason Donovan, meet the stars getting their skates on

Lockdown can’t stop Dancing On Ice, which is set to return to ITV on January 17.

As ever, a new line-up of celebrities will be tentatively taking their first steps onto the skating rink, hoping to wow judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo and John Barrowman.

5.1 million people tuned into the Dancing on Ice finale in January 2020, which crowned Joe Swash the winner, and with lockdown wiping out our weekend plans, it’s likely that the show could prove a ratings hit once again.

Let’s take a look at this year’s gang of ice kings and queens in the making…

Who is in the line-up for this year’s Dancing on Ice?

Billie Faiers

The former TOWIE star, who now appears on The Mummy Diaries with sister Sam, will be getting her skates on - and hoping to make children Nelly and Arthur proud.

Lady Leshurr

The 30-year-old rapper from Birmingham revealed she was taking to the ice when speaking on Kiss FM's Breakfast Show.

Speaking to Perri Kiely, who took part on the show last year, she said: "Oh my gosh, I don't know what I've got myself in for. But everyone who knows me to be that person to just throw myself in at the deep end and I just wing it a lot of the time.

"I'm petrified. I've always wanted to ice skate so what's better than doing it in front of millions of people."

Rebekah Vardy

The 38-year-old is no stranger to reality television, having previously appeared on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and Celebrity Gogglebox, accompanied by footballer husband Jamie.

But more recently, Vardy has been in the centre of her very own drama, in which fellow footballer's wife Coleen Rooney accused Vardy of leaking stories about her to the press. Vardy has denied these accusations.

Speaking about taking to Dancing on Ice, Vardy said: "I'm so ready for the sequins and the full glam squad. After months in lockdown, it'll be nice to get the glam on."

Colin Jackson

The Olympic hurdler, 53, is no stranger to busting a move, having placed second in the 2005 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

"My mantra is to stay focused and to respect the ice," he said. "Because if you disrespect it, it will bite you back!

Graham Bell

The 54-year-old five-time Olympic skier revealed that the “transferable skills of edge control, balance” in his sport would be useful on the ice.

However, Bell did admit on BBC Breakfast that while he's not scared of the ice, he is more worried about learning to dance.

Sonny Jay

Capital Radio DJ Sonny Jay was the sixth person to be announced for the competition show.

"I'll be happy to leave this competition knowing I can skate backwards with a beer in my hand," he said.

"Anything else is a bonus!"

Faye Brooks

Coronation Street star Faye Brooks told Lorraine that Dancing on Ice would be "the first time I think people are just going to see me, not being a character, just being me – Faye.”

Brookes said in a post on Twitter: “I’m a trained dancer but attempting to put something I already know very well on skates is quite scary.”

Jason Donovan

Actor and musical theatre star Jason Donovan, 52, said he "can’t wait to get on the ice" after being announced for the show.

“Skating is all about balance and confidence,” he said. “I’ve done a little bit of skating in my youth, in Australia, surprisingly in the heat of an Australian summer.

“I’ve surfed, I’ve skied a lot so I guess I’ll bring a little bit of that confidence.

“My daughter Molly is very excited about me doing shapes on the dancefloor, or maybe not… depending on how it goes!” Donovan joked.

Denise Van Outen

Actress, singer and presenter Denise Van Outen is the newest celebrity announced to be joining Dancing On Ice 20201.

Van Outen revealed the news on her Instagram, writing: "I am so excited to join the show that I’ve loved watching for years.

"I can’t wait to meet my pro partner and get on the rink for lessons. I feel like 2021 is going to bring a smile to all our faces with this fabulous ice show."

Speaking to ITV’s Loose Women, Van Outen said: “I’m really excited, I can’t believe it and finally I get to tell people!”

She revealed her daughter Betsy “loves the show and we watch it every year.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to skate because I literally cannot stand up on ice and every time I’ve taken Betsy at Christmas time to a rink, I’ve been the one on the penguin!

“After the year we’ve all had, it’s going to be lovely and refreshing to see a bit of sparkle, a bit of glamour and see us all happy and smiling enjoying ourselves on the ice.”

Joe-Warren Plant

Emmerdale star Joe-Warren Plant will be donning a pair of skates for this year's Dancing on Ice.

The actor, 18, said he is "so excited to learn something new," and that he is "in it to win it, 100%!"

The Dancing On Ice Twitter account announced the news on Tuesday, September 22.

"He's spent a decade in the Dales, so now it's time to try out the ice! Better get your skates on, Joe!"

Mylene Klass

Myleene Klass has been announced as the first celebrity skater for this year’s Dancing on Ice.

The singer and TV personality revealed the news on Instagram, saying the show would push her outside her comfort zone.

“Guess who won’t be holding the coats at the side of the rink anymore!” Klass wrote.

“I am so, SO excited to be joining the cast of @dancingonice. My girls have always wanted me to do this but I’ve always been too scared someone will skate over my fingers!

“Anyway, I want to make them proud and show them I’m up for a challenge when completely out of my comfort zone but most of all, I want a bum like Jlo!”

Klass will compete against 11 other celebrities in this year’s show.

The announcement comes after Klass, who previously competed on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, announced her engagement to her partner Simon Motson.

The pair share one child together and four between them from previous relationships.

When is Dancing on Ice back?

Dancing on Ice will return to ITV on January 17.

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby will once again host the competition show.

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