Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has said she can see herself winning Dancing on Ice as she shares her skating days from her childhood.
The 28-year-old is among the fresh batch of eleven celebrities, who will embark on the ultimate celebrity talent competition as they take to the ice each week.
Dancing on Ice is now returning to ITV1 and ITVX with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby as hosts while ice royalty Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean resume their roles as judges on the ice panel alongside dancers Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse.
Ahead of the 2023 series, Ekin-Su opened up about her ‘really competitive’ streak as she told fans she can see herself winning the ITV talent competition.
She said: “I used to ice-skate when I was a little girl – I did a show when I was six or seven and then I started doing ballet.
“I’ve always had a performance side in my blood and I do think Dancing on Ice will be hard but it’s an opportunity to show a different audience a side to me. I think I’d be good and I can see myself winning it.”
She continued: “I skated when I was a kid but it’s been ages since I skated, you forget don’t you?”
The star then joked: “During the pandemic I forgot how to walk because we were stuck inside for two years!
“I’m very competitive so if I have to do two hours of rehearsing then I’ll be there for four – I’m going to aim for the sky!”
Ekin-Su, who is partnered with professional ice skater Brendyn Hatfield, confirmed she is in it to win it, adding that otherwise there’s no point in having signed up for the show.
She said: “I don’t mind going home early but my mind doesn’t work like that.
“If I’m doing it, I’m putting 100% in. I’m going to believe in myself, I believe in myself so much.”
Among those skating live in a bid to impress both the panel and viewers at home is are actress and DJ Patsy Palmer, football legend John Fashanu and Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson.
They are joined by Coronation Street ’s Mollie Gallagher, Drag Queen and TV personality The Vivienne, TV personality Joey Essex, comedian Darren Harriott, actress and West End star Carley Stenson, singer Michelle Heaton and The Wanted’s Siva Kaneswaran.
Guiding the celebrity novices from their shaky first steps to spectacular routines are their professional partners.
A new addition to the 2023 line-up is world-class ice dancer Olivia Smart, while there are three Dancing on Ice favourites returning this year: Sylvain Longchambon, who last skated in the 2019 series as well as Vicky Ogden and Klabera Komini who both last skated in the 2021 series.
Dancing on Ice starts Sunday 15th January, 6:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX
