Dancing On Ice’s Eddie the Eagle recalls sleeping in his car and eating from bins ahead of Winter Olympics as he prepares to draw on tough emotions for his Personal Skate

Dancing On Ice’s Eddie the Eagle has spoken about the sheer grit and determination he used to qualify for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, ahead of his personal skate in the ITV competition this weekend.

The ski jumper, 60, became the first competitor to represent Britain in the sport at the Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada in 1988.

The sportsman unfortunately finished last in both the Normal Hill and Large Hill events, but he insists he was lucky to take part as he was repeatedly told he did not have the talent or ability to compete in a compete at such a level.

However, he held the British ski jumping record from 1988 to 2001. He also competed in amateur speed skiing, reaching a speed of 67.4 miles per hour.

Eddie, real name Michael Edwards, has linked his personal skate, which he will perform on Sunday, to his Olympic experience, recalling living in a car and eating food out of rubbish bins as he tried to get by for the competition .

Eddie, real name Michael Edwards, has linked his Personal Skate, which he will perform on Sunday, to his Winter Olympics experience (pictured on Dancing On Ice last month)

He told MailOnline: ‘I skate to Van Halen – Jump. When I was training for the Winter Olympics in Calgary, I used to listen to that song and just as the song was about to “jump”, I went down this road and flew through the air.

‘I had to sleep in the back of my car. I was scraping food out of the bins and I had so many people helping me because they could see I was trying to do something and go somewhere, and eventually I managed to qualify for Calgary.

‘Representing Great Britain at the Olympic Games was simply amazing. I knew I would finish last. Attending the Olympic Games in Calgary was my gold medal. I just wanted to jump as far as I could and enjoy the whole experience.

‘The closing ceremony was incredible. The Olympic president sat up to deliver his closing speech and said: “Some of you have even soared like an eagle.” I stood up and waved and the crowd went crazy.

“It just shows that if you work hard, you can achieve anything. The Dancing on Ice process is also like that for me. It wasn’t my intention to inspire people, but I want to continue that. This performance is for all of you. This is for you.’

Eddie made a late addition to this year’s series of Dancing On Ice when he was called up to replace Gogglebox star Stephen Lustig-Webb – who was forced to quit after breaking his ankle.

He is paired with professional figure skater Vicky Ogden, but his original partner Tippy Packard had to withdraw due to an injury.

Reflecting on the challenge in his opening VT, he said, “Hopefully from now on we can spend a lot more time on the ice and wow everyone with that first dance.”

The ski jumper, 60, became the first competitor to represent Britain in the sport at the Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada in 1988

Eddie has proven to be a hit with viewers so far, with fans of the show naming him the winner during a recent episode.

Before his routine, Eddie descended from the rafters of the huge eagle hanging from metal wires.

The moment impressed viewers, with many taking to social media to express their joy at what they had seen.

One person wrote on Twitter: ‘When it landed on that Eagle all I could think was: here we go, here’s the joke candidate. Should have known better. Dude is a bit of a surprise.”

While someone else said: ‘Eddie the Eagle surprised me so much, I didn’t expect him to be this good.’

‘Eddie The Eagle is my new favorite! What an achievement,” said another.

While someone else insisted: ‘Eddie the Eagle must win, well and truly.’

“Ricky Norwood deserved a better score from Oti, he looks like he’s improved so much since day 1. In other news, Eddie The Eagle MUST win, what a legend,” wrote another show fan.

Dancing On Ice viewers voted Eddie the Eagle as their winner after he impressed them with his skating skills during a recent episode of the show

Before his routine, Eddie descended from the rafters of the huge eagle hanging from metal wires

And someone else wrote: ‘Eddie the eagle was just fantastic. Well done, Eddie!’

Another audience member at home commented: ‘Unexpected excellence of the evening – Eddie the Eagle was brilliant!’

While someone else praised: ‘Eddie “The Eagle” surprised me, I did NOT expect it to be this good.’

Dancing On Ice continues on Sunday February 18 at 6.20pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

DANCING ON ICE: MEET THE PARTICIPANTS OF 2024

RICKY HATTON

AGE: 44

PROFESSION: Former professional boxer

WHAT DID HE SAY? “If I can control my nerves in the boxing ring, I should also be able to control my nerves on the ice rink.”

HANNA SPEARRITT

AGE: 42

PROFESSION: SINGER

WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I’m really excited about learning a new skill. It’s so easy to live a comfortable life and that aspect of mixing things up is very attractive.’

GREG RUTHERFORD

AGE: 36

PROFESSION: Athlete

WHAT DID HE SAY? “I like a challenge and I needed a reason to start doing things again and here we are. I want to do something that has never been done before, that’s my goal.’

Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards

AGE: 59

PROFESSION: OLYMPIC SKIUMPER

WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Dancing on Ice is a show I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a challenge I think I’ll enjoy!’

RICKY NORWOOD

AGE: 40

PROFESSION: EastEnders star

WHAT DID HE SAY? “It comes at such a great time in life. I can’t skate at all! No rehearsals yet, I just had physiotherapy to strengthen the body.’

RIAN THOMAS

AGE: 39

PROFESSION: Corrie star

WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Everyone keeps asking me, “are you doing it?” I told everyone!’

CLAIRE SWEENEY

AGE: 52

PROFESSION: ACTRESS

WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I am stepping into the unknown here. I don’t know how I’ll feel. But I’m very excited.’

AMBER DAVIES

AGE: 26

PROFESSION: WEST END STAR

WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I would definitely say I’m an adrenaline junkie, but I’m getting more nervous as I get older and I hope I can keep them in check.”

MILES NAZAIRE

AGE: 27

PROFESSION: REALITY STAR

WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I’ve always loved to dance, but usually it’s on a dance floor on a Saturday night and Dancing on Ice looks so difficult.’

NICE SANDERS

AGE: 37

PROFESSION: COMEDIAN

WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I’m nervous about cracking my head open or just hitting the old head. I can’t afford to lose any more brain cells.’

ADELE ROBERTS

AGE: 44

PROFESSION: RADIO PRESENTER

WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘It’s ‘putting it on ice’ for me! I think the hardest part is putting myself out there because most of the time I hide.”

ROXY SHAHIDI

AGE: 40

PROFESSION: Emmerdale star

WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I can’t skate. I haven’t actually said anything to anyone, but mainly because I’m so nervous about it!’