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Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Ashleigh Rainbird

Dancing on Ice's Bez set to 'float in the air on a giant bat' for Meat Loaf tribute

Bez is set to skate around the ice rink like a bat out of hell on Dancing on Ice this weekend as he pays tribute to the late rock legend Meat Loaf.

The dancer, 57 - whose real name is Mark Berry - has made it through to another week on the ITV skating competition, alongside his professional partner Angela Egan, 35.

And for his next routine, the Happy Mondays member is set to fly off the ice riding a giant bat, with the self-confessed "rubbish skater" dressing in leathers and a biker helmet.

The performance, which is part of the show's Musical Week, is taken from the Bat Out of Hell stage production and comes after Meat Loaf died last month aged 74.

Bez will be skating to a Meat Loaf song this week (Getty Images)
The legendary performer, whose hits include Bat Out of Hell, passed away earlier this year (Andre Csillag/REX/Shutterstock)

And having taking a tumble last week, producers have said that Bez will probably be safer in the air than on the ice.

An insider told us recently: "There are strict safety measures in place but Bez actually seems to be at less risk when he's floating up in the air on a giant bat."

They said the routine is "really fun," with the percussionist said to have always been a fan of the rocker's music.

He clambered on a Harley Davidson when he attended the Bat Out of Hell musical launch with girlfriend Firouzeh Razavi in Manchester in 2017.

Bez attended the launch of the musical Bat Out of Hell in 2017 (Manchester Evening News)

He previously said: "When I was growing up, Bat Out of Hell always used to be on the pub jukebox so it brings back happy memories of my childhood."

Bez has been wearing a helmet throughout the latest series of Dancing on Ice as well as sporting knee and elbow pads - in an attempt to soften any potential falls whilst on the ice.

He has commented: "Because I have got every pad on, I'm about to bounce back up." He added: "But I've come to terms with it now, me and the ice are not naturally suited."

Fellow contestant Brendan Cole, 45, will take to the ice with male skater Brendyn Hatfield, 36, after his professional partner, Vanessa Bauer, 25, tested positive for Covid-19.

Brendan Cole (left) will be partnered with Brendyn Hatfield (right) this week (PA)
Brendan usually skates with Vanessa Bauer, though she is unable to this weekend due to Covid (Instagram)

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They will skate to the song Beggin' by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons on the weekend, with it having featured in the popular jukebox musical the Jersey Boys.

Brendan previously spoke about having met Meat Loaf when the rocker performed on Strictly Come Dancing.

The dancer recalled: "As he came off stage he said to me: 'Hey, you’re the bad boy… right?' I will always remember this amazing moment."

Dancing on Ice continues on ITV this Sunday from 6pm. You can catch-up on previous episodes through the ITV Hub.

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