It seems nothing gets us going like a pro-celebrity reality show, and after a couple of weeks’ breathing space from the drama-fest that was Strictly, ITV is stepping in to the breach to fill our need with a new run of Dancing on Ice, starting on Sunday 9 January, and hosted – as ever – by Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
Stepping onto the ice for this series are Kerry Katona, Angela Rippon, Chloe Madeley, Craig McLachlan, Denise Welch, Dominic Cork, Elen Rivas, Jeff Brazier, Jennifer Metcalfe, Johnson Beharry, Laura Hamilton, Nadia Sawalha, Sam Attwater, Steven Arnold, Vanilla Ice and ‘Comedy Dave’ Vitty.
They’ll all be hoping the weeks of training they’ve been putting in before the opening credits start rolling will pay off – while also presumably pinning their hopes on someone out there in viewerland knowing who the hell they are – and ultimately caring enough to vote.
Many eyes will be on Kerry Katona, whose first foray into the world of reality TV saw her crowned Queen of the Jungle – and storm her way into British viewers’ hearts.
A lot of water has passed under that particular bridge, not to mention a few other substances, and it will be interesting to see how the troubled blonde copes with being firmly in the spotlight this time.
There’s no doubt the TV critics will find their favourite soon enough, though only eight will skate on opening night – and the tension will be palpable right from the start, as someone will salchow off into the sunset straight away.
In the meantime, we’ll have to see who the judges love – and, for that matter, loathe.
