First Dancing On Ice star revealed:  Sporting legend CONFIRMS he will be going from the ring to the rink

World champion boxer Ricky Hatton MBE has become the first celebrity confirmed to take part in the new series of Dancing on Ice.

Ricky, 44, revealed the news exclusively on This Morning on Tuesday, saying: If I can hold my nerves in the boxing ring, I should be able to hold my nerves on the ice rink. I love taking on new challenges and keeping myself busy!’

Claire Sweeney will reportedly be revealed as the next ‘big name’ to skate in the new series.

The actress, 52, is best known as the 1990s Lindsay Corkhill soap Brookside before joining Corrie earlier this year in the role of Cassie Plumber.

A source said The sun: ‘Claire becomes the first big name to be revealed for Dancing On Ice’.

“She is a very talented performer and is already quite good on the ice.”

No stranger to the spotlight, Claire has previously sung and danced in a series of musicals, including Guys and Dolls and Legally Blonde.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for ITV and Claire for comment.

It comes after legendary Gogglebox star Stephen Webb, 52, was reported to be joining the line-up ‘in a bombshell move’.

He announced earlier this month that he would be leaving the Channel 4 show in a bid to plook for ‘other opportunities’.

And according to The Sun, it emerged that the Brighton hair salon owner had ‘swapped his sofa for skates’, as a source admitted to several Gogglebox stars ‘at some point they face a dilemma’ as they receive different offers after developing a higher profile.

The television source told the publication: ‘Stephen had greatly developed his own profile. It was no surprise that he received other offers, although no one could have imagined that he would do Dancing On Ice.’

Stephen has been on the Channel 4 show for a decade and was one of its most prominent stars, but he told fans earlier this month: ‘After careful consideration, Daniel and I have decided that we will not be returning for the new series of Gogglebox .

Get your skates on! Claire Sweeney, 52, will reportedly be revealed as the next ‘big name’ to skate in new series of Dancing On Ice

Throwback: She is best known as Lindsay Corkhill 1990s soap Brookside (L-R Claire Sweeney, Dean Sullivan, Sue Jenkins and George Christophe pictured on the soap in 1989)

“We believe the time is right to move forward and explore other options.”

MailOnline contacted Dancing On Ice representatives for comment.

The star-studded roster for the upcoming season of Dancing On Ice continues to deliver surprises – as boxing legend Ricky Hatton has been signed to take part in the iconic competition, according to The sun.

The former world boxing champion, 44, is reportedly preparing to train for the show.

It’s been over a decade since Ricky retired from boxing and hung up his gloves in 2012 after being knocked out by Vyacheslav Senchenko.

He had an illustrious career, with 43 straight wins as a professional, before suffering two defeats in four fights against Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao.

The sportsman has been open about his struggles with depression and alcoholism, which he says was sparked by his first professional defeat to Mayweather in December 2007.

It has also been reported that S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt has joined the cast of the ITV show.

Update: It comes after legendary Gogglebox star Stephen Webb, 52, was reportedly joining the line-up ‘in a bombshell move’

Departing: Stephen told fans earlier this month: ‘After careful consideration, Daniel and I have decided that we will not be returning for the new series of Gogglebox’

The 42-year-old singer would have already started rehearsals after her left S Club in May, after the shocking death of her ex-boyfriend and bandmate Paul Cattermole.

Hannah follows in the footsteps of fellow S Club star Rachel Stevens who joined the show in 2022.

A spokesperson for the show declined to comment on the claims, saying all names are “purely speculative” at this time.

Shona McGarty is also rumored to be joining, after quitting her role in EastEnders after 15 years.

The actress, 31, who played Whitney Dean in the BBC soap, quit the role in July after a cast shake-up was reported.

Former partnership: Holly Willoughby returns to host the show after her former co-star Phillip Schofield was axed from the program (pictured in January this year)

Holly Willoughby will return as host to the show after her former co-star Phillip Schofield was axed from the programme.

Phillip, 61, co-presented the series with Holly, 42, for 12 series, before and after the four-year break, before being axed from his ITV shows this year after having an affair with a junior This Morning colleague.

Stephen Mulhern is reportedly in line to replace Phillip, and is said to have been offered the show and is considering it, according to the Mirror.

The Catchphrase star, 46, has already had a taste of hosting the figure skating competition after being brought in to replace Phillip when he was struck down with Covid last February.

It was claimed that Vernon Kay was also being considered for the role, while Holly is also close to Bradley Walsh, while Jordan Banjo could be another option.

An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We will confirm details about Dancing on Ice 2024 in due course.’