Dancing On Ice star Michaela Strachan, 58, has been turning heads this season with her impressive skating performances despite early concerns about her age. Her long-term partner, Nick Chevallier, was reportedly “nervous” about her doing the show at first. However, Michaela has proven that age is just a number as she consistently dazzles viewers on the ice.
During a recent interview with Bella Magazine, Michaela recalled the amusing yet heartfelt reaction from her partner. “It’s so funny because my friends and family have a party back in South Africa every Sunday to watch the show,” she said. “Someone took a video of Nick, and he looked so nervous! I think his mind is going, ‘Please don’t fall over’. He’s completely encouraging, he just doesn’t want me to hurt myself. I think his attitude at the beginning was that I’m 58 years old.” These candid remarks shed light on the initial trepidation from those closest to her, even as they offered unwavering support, as reported by the Express.
Michaela also addressed the physical challenges that come with age. “As any woman that’s been through menopause will know, you don’t mind as well when you get to this age,” she admitted. Despite these challenges, her determination and skill on the ice have kept her in contention as one of the leading figures in this year’s competition. So far, she and her skating partner, Mark Hanretty, have maintained a position in the top three on the leaderboard every week, showcasing their technical prowess and chemistry.
The pair’s recent performance further boosted their standing when they received an impressive score from the judges. Last week, Michaela was awarded three nines by judges Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, and Jayne Torvill, while Christopher Dean gave her an 8.5. This scoring elevated them to second place on the leaderboard, just behind The Only Way Is Essex star Dan Edgar.
Although Michaela is still in the running to become the first female champion in 12 years, recent betting odds suggest that her status as the overall favorite has slightly dipped. Kayley Cornelius of Betfred commented, “Michaela’s chances of winning the show have taken a slight dip, but nothing too dramatic. Her odds moved from 6/5 (about a 45% probability) to 5/4 (around 44%). So, not a massive change, but it does hint that her support might be fading a bit.” She further added, “What’s more interesting is the movement in Dan Edgar’s odds.
Earlier this week, he was priced at 3/1 (about a 25% probability), but now he’s at a more competitive 9/4 (around 30%). That’s a pretty big jump overnight and shows how punters’ support is shifting.” With the season still underway, all eyes remain on Michaela as she continues to defy expectations on the ice, proving that her experience and resilience are assets in her quest for victory.
