Dancing on Ice 2020 cast – everything you need to know

Photo credit: Rex/Shutterstock
Photo credit: Rex/Shutterstock

From Digital Spy

We don't want to scare you (yep, it isn't long until Christmas), but Dancing on Ice will be back on our screens before we know it.

And with it comes a new line-up of celebrity skaters for the ITV show.

Here's everything we know so far about series 12...

Dancing on Ice 2020 cast: Who's in the celebrity line-up?

Photo credit: Matt Frost - ITV
Photo credit: Matt Frost - ITV

ITV started dropping some pretty big hints back in September, and by October 1 we had a full register of new celebs ready to take to the ice.

But who are they?

Maura Higgins

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

The Love Island 2019 breakout star coupled up with professional dancer Curtis Pritchard earlier this year, and she became the very first celebrity to be confirmed for the upcoming series of Dancing on Ice.

The fan-favourite previously addressed the rumour that she might be joining the skating show, telling Digital Spy and other media at the TV Choice Awards: "I have heard, but I have heard a lot about things I am supposed to be on... Who knows?

"I'm taking every day as it comes. There are a lot of exciting opportunities there. I can't comment on anything because I really don't know."

Well, we all know now!

Michael Barrymore

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Returning to our screens with skates on, Barrymore will also join the line-up.

He hosted primetime shows on ITV and the BBC during the '80s through to the early '00s.

Barrymore made his TV comeback during his popular 2006 appearance in the Celebrity Big Brother house, which saw him finish in 2nd place, just losing out to Chantelle Houghton (who, in a famous CBB twist, wasn't actually a celebrity at that point).

Joe Swash

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

First widely known for his role in EastEnders, Joe went on to win I'm a Celebrity in 2008.

A fan-favourite, he became presenter of I'm a Celebrity: Extra Camp but stepped down from his hosting position earlier this year.

"I don't think anyone thinks I'm going to win. I'm going to learn how to skate, and [I'll] do it with a smile on my face," he said. "Nobody is going to have any expectation of me."

H from Steps

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

A '90s pop icon, H from Steps has previously made TV appearances on Celebrity Big Brother and a celebrity special edition of The Chase, and even made a guest appearance in E4 drama Skins.

He described the Dancing on Ice experience as "scary and exciting", also revealing that he has auditioned for the show before in the past.

"I auditioned for it before – I actually auditioned for it twice before – third time lucky."

It has also been revealed that H from Steps will make history, becoming part of the show's first same-sex pairing.

The decision was praised, and Ian tweeted his gratitude for the positive responses: "Totally overwhelmed today ... I'll need some time to take it all in !! I'm just totally blown away by your incredible support and messages! Thankyou so much, truly xx."

Perri Kiely

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Best known as one of the 12 members of dance group Diversity, who shot to fame when they won Britain's Got Talent 2009, Perri also took part in Celebs Go Dating.

Once the Dancing on Ice news was announced, he told his Instagram followers: "Time for something completely different, a completely new challenge, wish me luck."

Lisa George

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

The Coronation Street actor, who plays Beth Tinker, and was the sixth celebrity announced for the line-up.

"I just thought, 'If I don't do this now I'm never going to have the chance to do it again'," she said.

Talking about her first session on the ice, she said: "I was a bit scared, I was quite nervous. I can't believe I'm 50 next year and I just thought 'If I don't do this now I'm never going to have the chance to do it again'."

Libby Clegg MBE and her guide dog Hattie

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Sprinting champion Libby, who is registered blind, won gold during the T11 100m and 200m at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio.

She welcomed her first baby, son Edward, earlier this year, and has been named in the World Para Athletics Championships squad for November 2019.

Appearing on Victoria Derbyshire's BBC Two show to confirm the news, she said: "After Rio, I obviously achieved my ultimate goal, double Paralympic gold medallist and world record holder, and I thought, 'What else can I do?'

"This opportunity came about and I couldn't pass it up. I love challenging myself and experiencing new things."

Trisha Goddard

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Yes, it's the talkshow icon from the '90s.

Speaking about her decision to take part in the show, she said: "I love physical stuff.

"Every day I bike ride, I weight train, I love any physical thing. I learnt to ski at 37, I learnt to roller blade at 42. I'm 62 in December. I thought 'why not?'"

Lucrezia Millarini

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

You'll probably recognise Lucrezia as ITV's newsreader. She takes charge of the channel's lunchtime and weekend bulletins.

After her spot was announced, she tweeted: "Two days meeting and skating with the legendary @torvillanddean plus the awesome cast of 2020. What an experience. But now the hard work begins. Bring it on."

Kevin Kilbane

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

The former footballer retired from the sport in 2012, and now he's set to try his hand at some skating.

Kilbane is also well-known as a TV pundit, and has worked on a number of shows including Match of the Day.

Ben Hanlin

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Magician Ben is best known for ITV2 show Tricked.

Hanlin was the tenth celebrity announced to be taking part. He called in on BBC Radio London to confirm he was joining the line-up.

"Can I ice dance? No. Can I ice skate? Barely. So I can't do any of that, but I did say to producers, 'If I'm going to do this, can I try to do magic on ice?'," he said. "I will try and attempt to put magic into the show if I can."

Ooh. Ahh.

Caprice Bourret

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

The American businesswoman, model, actress, and television personality (phew) was the final star to be announced for Dancing on Ice 2020.

No stranger to TV spots, she has appeared in Hollyoaks and Sky One's football drama Dream Team.

Dancing on Ice 2020 start date: When is it on?

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

It was confirmed during the 2019 final that Dancing on Ice would return in 2020, but the air date is yet to be revealed.

It's likely that the new series will premiere at a similar time to the previous two seasons, which started on January 6 and 7.

Going by this, the potential start date could be January 5, 2020.

Dancing on Ice 2020 judges: Who are they?

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Well, we know who won't be returning – Jason Gardiner.

During the 2019 series he was caught up in controversial rows with contestant Gemma Collins. Now, the long-time judge has decided to quit the show.

The so-called "Mr Nasty" addressed speculation that he'd been axed from the programme on his Instagram account, explaining that he'd instead chosen to leave the show.

He said: "After all these years, I feel it's time for me to say goodbye to my judging role and return to things I have been putting on hold and have been on the back burner for a while."

ITV has since announced the major name replacing him – I'm a Celebrity and Doctor Who star John Barrowman.

Barrowman competed on the first ever series of Dancing on Ice in 2006 alongside professional Olga Sharutenko. They ended up finishing seventh.

Photo credit: Fred Duval/FilmMagic - Getty Images
Photo credit: Fred Duval/FilmMagic - Getty Images

Given his famously cheery personality, there's no doubt he'll take the show in a much less, err, nasty direction.

"I am so excited to be returning to the Dancing on Ice family," Barrowman said of his new gig.

"Unlike most, I have been through the rigorous task of skating live as a contestant in the first series. This is a thrilling adventure for me and I hope to bring a Fresh, Fun and Fab-u-lous angle to the judging panel."

As for everything else, it's still to be confirmed whether the rest of the panel – Ashley Banjo and head judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean – will be back.

Dancing on Ice 2020 presenters: Are Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield returning?

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Holly and Phil haven't said anything about not returning.

We really hope they do, because it wouldn't be the same without them.

Dancing on Ice 2020 professionals: Who are they?

Photo credit: Rex/Shutterstock
Photo credit: Rex/Shutterstock

It's thought that the majority of the 2019 professional skaters will compete again.

These include Brianne Delcourt, Matt Evers, Brandee Malto, Sylvain Longchambon, Alexander Demetriou, Alex Murphy, Hamish Gaman, Carlotta Edwards, Lukaz Rozycki, Mark Hanretty, Vanessa Bauer and 2019 winner Alexandra Schauman.

We'll keep you updated with any shake-ups.

Dancing on Ice: Who won the 2019 series?

Photo credit: John Phillips/Getty Images
Photo credit: John Phillips/Getty Images

As previously mentioned, former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan beat The X Factor's Saara Alto and Love Island's Wes Nelson to take the 2019 title, alongside his skating partner Alexandra Schauman.

"I can't believe it," James said at the time. "I couldn't have given any more and the only reason I had to give so much was because [of Wes]."

Over two million votes were cast in the final.

Dancing on Ice airs on ITV.


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