The air date has yet to be confirmed
'Dancing on Ice' is making a return in 2020 and the full line-up has been officially confirmed.
Twelve celebrity contestants will be making their way onto the ice next year. They'll be dancing their hearts out in the hope of being crowned champions.
As previously reported, local legend Maura Higgins was among the first confirmed for the competition series. She's of course renowned for 'Love Island', which she was a runner-up on.
She had a great summer, but how will she handle the ice? ❄️ Please welcome to the Class of 2020... @MauraHiggins! #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/T1bc0Ayehq
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) September 24, 2019
Confirmed around the same time as Maura was TV presenter Michael Barrymore. Barrymore hosted various game shows and light entertainment programmes on TV between the 80s and 00s, as well as appearing on 'Celebrity Big Brother'.
Welcome to the Class of 2020, @mrbarrymore ✨ We can't wait to see you on the ice! #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/YZdu3Euw2o
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) September 24, 2019
As always, there has to be a sports star in the mix. For 'Dancing on Ice' 2020, it's former pro footballer Kevin Kilbane. Kilbane played for several English clubs but we'd know him for his accomplishments on the ROI team. He's the third most capped Irish player of all time with 110 caps. He now works as an analyst for Virgin Media Television and on Newstalk Radio's Off The Ball Football Show.
He's kicking off the boots for the skates ⛸ ...Kevin Kilbane (@kdkilbane77) will be joining us on the ice! #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/gyBFPWJUqT
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) September 25, 2019
The three of them will be joined by ITV News presenter Lucrezia Millarini. She fronts the ITV Lunchtime News and ITV Weekend News, and regularly presents the main 6pm programme.
She's used to delivering the news, but can she deliver the moves? 💃 Joining us on the ice, @lucrezianews! #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/u5bwSPRTzK
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) September 25, 2019
Fans of the pop group Steps should recognise contestant Ian 'H' Watkins. Watkins was one of the band's two male singers. The group were known for such songs as "5, 6, 7, 8", "Tragedy" and "Last Thing On My Mind."
It's time to begin... let's count it in, 5-6-7-skate! ⛸ Welcome to the ice, @ianhwatkins! #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/uS80ObBJ8l
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) September 26, 2019
And of course no reality competition series would be complete without a soap star or two. In this case, it's Lisa George, best known for her role as Beth Tinker on 'Coronation Street', which she has played since 2011.
Joining the Class of 2020, it's @itvcorrie's very own @lisageorgeactor! ✨ #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/AnVzL8UoeJ
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) September 26, 2019
Street dancer Perri Kiely, a current member of dance troupe Diversity, is also in the line-up. Kiely is no stranger to reality TV having won the second series of 'Splash!', getting "Star baker" on last year's 'The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off', and appearing on 'Celebs Go Dating'. Interestingly, last year's contestant James Jordan came under criticism for being a professional dancer, which was considered to be having an advantage over other contestants. Mind you, he won audiences over and eventually won the series.
He's shown Britain he's got talent, but how will he shape up on the ice? ⭐️ We can't wait to see @perrikiely get his skating boots on! #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/A8CSNGJUcu
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) September 26, 2019
Another sports star joining the fun is Scottish Paralympic sprinter Libby Clegg. Registered blind, Clegg is a world record breaker, gold medallist and double Paralympic champion.
She's used to winning gold, but can she win big on the ice? 🏅 Paralympian @libbyclegg joins the Class of 2020! #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/0s1RnCpMYa
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) September 27, 2019
English presenter and actor Joe Swash will also be dancing on ice next year. He's best known for his role of Mickey Miller in 'EastEnders' and for winning the 2008 edition of 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!'
He's a former King of the Jungle, but will he be crowned King of the ice? 👑 @realjoeswash joins the Class of 2020! #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/tebD02Oafc
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) September 27, 2019
Magician Ben Hanlin is also confirmed for the series. Hanlin presented the series 'Tricked' from 2013 to 2016.
Are you watching closely? Blink and you might miss him... @benhanlin will be taking to the ice in 2020! ✨ #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/gz9G6CZSdE
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) September 29, 2019
Trisha Goddard, best-known for her morning talk show 'Trisha', will be popping on some ice skates too.
She can talk the talk, but can she skate the skate? 🎤 We're so excited @trishagoddard will be joining us on the ice! #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/XpSY9PJFSB
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) September 30, 2019
The final cast member for the 2020 series is Caprice Bourret. The model and TV personality has appeared on more than 250 magazine covers including Vogue, GQ, Cosmo, Esquire and Maxim. She runs the company By Caprice.
Covergirl, put that grace in your skate! ✨ @CapriceBourret_ joins the Class of 2020! #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/deoplwUlFq
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) October 1, 2019
The judging panel will get a fresh face as John Barrowman joins following Jason Gardiner's departure.
Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean and Ashley Banjo will all return.