Getting their skates on! Jennifer Ellison, Heidi Range and Sadie Frost hit the rink ahead of next year's Dancing On Ice
By
Sarah Bull
Last updated at 12:14 PM on 16th October 2011
There is always speculation about who is going to be trying their luck on the rink on ITV talent show Dancing On Ice.
And next year the line-up looks better than ever, with stars including Jennifer Ellison, Heidi Range and Sadie Frost among the famous faces taking part.
The celebrities were spotted trying to go unnoticed as they arrived at the ice rink in Slough, keeping their heads down as they made their way inside to start training with professionals Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean.
Get your skates on! Jennifer Ellison is one of the celebrities set to take part in next year's Dancing On Ice
Ready for action: Sugababes singer Heidi Range and fashion designer Sadie Frost were seen arriving for practice
Jennifer, dressed in an all-black tracksuit, grey legwarmers and matching black headband, looked very nervous as she made her way on to the ice, holding on tightly to Dean's hands as he gently guided her around the rink.
The 28-year-old actress will be joined by fellow stars including Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter, British number one ski racer Chemmy Alcott and EastEnders actress Laila Morse.
Laila, who plays Mo Harris in the BBC soap, appeared to be slightly more confident than Jennifer on the ice, but had to keep her arms out at her sides to help maintain her balance.
Careful! EastEnders actress Laila Morse, who plays Mo Harris, uses her arms to balance herself on the ice
At an advantage? Rosemary Conley is a keen ice skater, while alpine skier Chemmy Alcott is used to the freezing cold conditions
Fashion designer Sadie appeared to have put her love of clothes before staying warm on the rink as she arrived for practice wearing a tiny black dress and tights, while Sugababes singer Heidi maintained her ever-glamorous appearance in sky-high red heels.
The female side of the celebrities competing on this year's show is completed by fitness guru Rosemary Conley.
The 64-year-old star was seen arriving at the rink ready for action in a pair of black jogging bottoms, turquoise top and pink jacket.
Here come the boys: Former Spurs goalkeeper Ian Walker, ex Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere and Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden arrive at the rink in Slough, Berkshire
Gently does it: Coronation Street actor Andy Whyment gets some help on the ice from Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean
And Rosemary is no stranger to ice skating, crediting the sport recently for helping keep her in shape.
She explained: 'I didn't step on to the ice until just before my 60th birthday, but as a child I used to slide around our polished floor in my socks.
'It's quite funny really because I never actually got on to the ice until I was a pensioner. I love it, but I'm not very good!'
Ready to begin: Torvill and Dean look ready for action as they begin the rehearsals with this year's stars
Spotted: After wearing a Halloween mask, Wolfenden let his disguise slip as he headed home in his car
WHO ARE THIS YEAR'S DANCING ON ICE CONTESTANTS?
Jennifer Ellison, 28 - Former Brookside actress who has been dancing since the age of three
Laila Morse, 66 - EastEnders star who plays Mo Harris in the BBC soap
Sadie Frost, 46 - Fashion designer and former dancer, she appeared in a music video aged 16
Jorgie Porter, 23 - Famous for playing Theresa McQueen in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks
Chemmy Alcott, 29 - Used to cold conditions, Chemmy is Britain's number one alpine skier
Rosemary Conley, 64 - Fitness guru has previously credited ice skating for helping her stay in shape
Matthew Wolfenden, 31 - Best known for playing David Metcalfe in ITV soap Emmerdale
Andy Whyment, 30 - Another soap star, who plays Kirk Sutherland in Coronation Street
Andy Akinwolere, 28 - Former Blue Peter presenter who has swam across the Palau Trench
Ian Walker, 39 - Ex Tottenham Hotspurs goalkeeper - but will he be any good on the ice?
But it looks like Rosemary and the rest of the female competitors are going to have some stiff competition from the men.
Leading the stars competing is Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden, who plays David Metcalfe in the ITV soap.
Wolfenden did his best to remain unrecognisable as he arrived for his first rehearsal, hiding behind a ghoulish Halloween mask as he arrived at the rink.
But the 31-year-old actor let his disguise slip as he got back in his car to head home after the touch practice.
A source told the Sunday People: 'The contestants were all trying not to be seen.
'Emmerdale's Matthew wore a Halloween mask. They were really focused on their rehearsals.'
Fellow soap star Andy Whyment, who plays Coronation Street's Kirk Sutherland, will be competing against Wolfenden in the show, and appeared to be making good progress as he got some tips on how to balance on the ice from Dean.
The other male celebrities taking part include former Tottenham Hotspurs goalkeeper Ian Walker and ex Blue Peter Presenter Andy Akinwolere, who seemed to be in good spirits as he made his way inside.
It remains to be seen which other famous faces will be taking part in the competition, as last year's Dancing On Ice began with 16 celebrity contestants, before cutting them down to 12 in a brutal first show.
Dancing On Ice is set to begin on ITV1 next January.
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2049755/Dancing-On-Ice-2012-line-Jennifer-Ellison-Heidi-Range-Sadie-Frost-stars-taking-part.html#ixzz1awY9aAzT