Strictly on skates is almost back! Dancing on Ice returns to our screens in January 2023, the line up is already announced and we’ve taken you through the favourites to win.

Ah January! The least wonderful time of the year. Christmas is done, the World Cup is over, everyone is skint and/or not drinking and those obscene heating bills have finally landed. In that case, thank the lord (of the dance) for ITV’s evergreen Dancing on Ice.

Spandex, spins, jumps and the dreaded headbangers return, with 11 celebrities who have been practising non stop for the last few months, in order to avoid a wet bottom on the opening night’s show.

The 15th series of Dancing on Ice begins in January and despite a three-year break back in 2014, this popular ice dancing show has been a regular fixture on our television sets since 2006. Let’s take a look at the winners over the years…

Previous winners:

2022 – Regan Gascoigne and Karina Manta
2021 – Sonny Jay and Angela Egan
2020 – Joe Swash and Alex Murphy
2019 – James Jordan and Alexandra Schauman
2018 – Jake Quickenden and Vanessa Bauer
2014 – Ray Quinn and Maria Filippov (all stars)
2013 – Beth Tweddle and Daniel Whiston
2012 – Matthew Wolfenden and Nina Ulanova
2011 – Sam Attwater and Brianne Delcourt
2010 – Hayley Tamaddon and Daniel Whiston
2009 – Ray Quinn and Maria Filippov
2008 – Suzanne Shaw and Matt Evers
2007 – Kyran Bracken and Melanie Lambert
2006 – Gaynor Faye and Daniel Whiston

Bet on Dancing on Ice with Betfred here

Who are the competing celebrities?

Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu – 7/2

Ah, lovely Ekin-Su…

The actor and model returns to the reality TV spotlight and swaps the heat of the villa for the cold of the skating rink. The 28-year-old won the nation’s (and partner Davide Sanclimenti’s) heart in the summer, when winning the 8th series of Love Island.

The pair will also star together in a new ITV2 show ‘Homecomings’ which will explore Davide’s family home in Italy, as well as Ekin-Su’s heritage in Turkey.

Cülcüloğlu is paired with professional Brendyn Hatfield for the duration of the series and she has been installed as the early betting favourite.

Nile Wilson – 9/2

Next in the betting is former British gymnast Nile Wilson. The 26-year-old won an Olympic bronze medal in the men’s horizontal bar at the 2016 Summer Olympics and has a silver medal at the worlds, as well as five Commonwealth golds.

Wilson admits that he doesn’t have much experience on the ice but you would think that a gymnast would be able to adapt to a new athletic discipline fairly easily.

Leeds born Wilson has been partnered with professional dancer Olivia Smart for the series.

Joey Essex – 11/2

The only thing brighter than the lights on the ice will be Joey Essex’s teeth. The loveable TV personality will appear on yet another reality show, after finding fame on The Only Way Is Essex.

The 32-year-old has also starred in I’m a Celebrity (coming fourth), Celebs go dating (twice), Celebrity Masterchef, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, Celebrity Ex on the Beach, The Jump (winner) and Splash. Basically if it’s got celebrity in the title, there’s every chance you’ll find the smiling, cheeky Chigwell resident appearing in it.

Essex has been paired with Vanessa Bauer and according to the tabloids, they appear to be getting very close in training. Could the DOI curse strike again?

Mollie Gallagher – 7/1

Coronation Street star Mollie Gallagher is famous for her portrayal of Nina Lucas on the long running soap opera since 2019.

The 24-year-old has won multiple awards including best newcomer and best storyline for the hate-crime story , which ended in her on screen boyfriend Seb’s death.

Gallagher is not the first Corrie star to switch the cobbles for the ice and said:

“I’m really excited. I’ve not really felt nervous yet, strangely. But being here today, I am now feeling it a little bit!”

Siva Kaneswaran – 7/1

Siva Kaneswaran is a singer with the boy band The Wanted, who have had ten Top 10 singles in the UK, including two number ones.

The 33-year-old was born in Ireland to Sri Lankan descent and as well as singing has also modelled and acted.

Kaneswaran has also dabbled in reality TV before, winning the first series of Celebrity Hunted alongside bandmate Jay McGuinness.

Michelle Heaton – 7/1

Michelle Heaton made her name as part of the reality TV formed band Liberty X. The pop group were formed from the five members of the ITV show Popstars, who didn’t make it into the chosen band Hear’Say.

Liberty X went on to achieve ten consecutive UK Top 20 singles, and various charting singles worldwide, leading to greater commercial success than Hear’Say.

Since their split in 2007, Heaton has appeared and presented on various shows including Loose Women, Come Dine with Me, Celebrity Big Brother as well as acting in various theatre productions.

Sadly, back in 2012, the 43-year-old Geordie underwent a double masectomy, as she had a 80% chance of developing breast cancer. Then in 2015, she underwent a complete hysterectomy and oophorectomy to reduce her risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Heaton said:

“Me and the kids are such huge fans of the show in general. I’ve always wanted to do it but I know I would never have been able to complete anything because of the way I was 18 months ago, so I’m really truly grateful that I’ve got it this year when I’m a lot stronger.”

Carley Stenson – 12/1

40-year-old Stenson made her name in TV acting, appearing on Hollyoaks as Steph Cunningham from 2000-2011 and on Doctors as Harriett Shelton.

After leaving Hollyoaks, the Wiganer moved into her passion of musical theatre and has appeared in several West End productions including Shrek: The Musical, Spamalot, Legally Blonde: The Musical and also starred as Fantine in Les Miserables.

You would expect all that theatre experience would hold her in good stead for the expression of ice dancing.

Patsy Palmer – 16/1

Another former soap actress, Patsy Palmer is of course recognisable from her role as Bianca Jackson in Eastenders. The 50-year-old starred in the long running BBC soap from 1993-1999, 2008-2014 and again in 2019.

Palmer was born as Julie Harris but took on her stage name upon finding there was already an established actress with that name. She’s appeared on reality TV shows before, appearing on Strictly in 2005 and the Masked Singer back in 2020.

A reformed drink and drug addict, Palmer has been clean since 2004 and said she is looking forward to challenging herself:

“My pact that I made with myself when I was 50 was I have to do things to challenge myself for the next couple of years. This is for all the 50 year-olds out there that think they can’t challenge themselves!”

The Vivienne – 16/1

Welsh drag queen The Vivienne was the first winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and has since gone on to appear in several other reality TV shows.

Born as James Lee Williams, she chose her drag name as she was constantly wearing Vivienne Westwood clothing. Recently she has starred in The Great British Sewing Bee, The Weakest Link, Celebrity Hunted and Celebrity Mastermind.

The 30-year-old said:

“To be the first drag artist to take part in one of the big UK reality competition shows is truly an honour. I think it’s a big step forward for queer representation on TV.”

Darren Harriott – 16/1

Stand-up comedian Harriott hails from the West Midlands and has been nominated for Best Newcomer and Best Show at the Edinburgh Fringe.

He’s a regular on a number of UK TV panel shows as well as appearing on Celebrity Masterchef and Celebrity Bake Off.

He doesn’t fancy his chances here though and neither do we…

 “I’ve got giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance! My family has already made bets – they’re making bets that I’ll fall on the first episode!”

John Fashanu – 25/1

Former footballer and TV presenter John Fashanu completes the Dancing on Ice line up for 2023 and has quickly been installed as the rank outsider.

However, if Fash the bash can replicate his old sparring partner Tony Adams performance in this year’s Strictly, he may be a surprise contender.

At 60-years-old, he’s by far the oldest contestant and he retired from professional football way back in 1995. Since then he presented the ITV show Gladiators with Ulrika Johnson as well as some other minor tv shows.

Fashanu has stated that he’s extremely competitive and is in it to win it. Mmm…

Who are the judges and presenters?

The celebrity judges look to be unchanged for 2023, with Oti Mabuse and Ashley Banjo sitting alongside skating royalty, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

Despite their recent controversy regarding the funeral of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby are expected to return to present the popular skating show for its 15th iteration.

Welcome Offer – Bet £10 Get £30 in FREE Bets

New 18+ UK customers.

1st bet on sports of £10+ in one transaction at evens (2.0)+ settled within 7 days of registering.

£30 paid in free bets within 10 hours of bet settlement, 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply.

Full Terms & Conditions apply.

Register with Betfred