Second Dancing On Ice star revealed: Popular nineties soap star confirms she’s taking to the rink as hit show prepares to return in the new year

Soap star Claire Sweeney has become the second celebrity confirmed to be taking part in the next series of Dancing On Ice.

The 52-year-old actress is the second celebrity to be announced, joining previously announced world champion boxer Ricky Hatton MBE.

Revealing the news on Wednesday’s This Morning, Claire said: ‘I’m really looking forward to going to an ice rink with my son and being able to actually skate without having to use the penguins they give you to help you stay upright !’

She added: “I’ve had to wear my boots all over the house… I haven’t stepped on the ice yet.

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

Claire added: ‘I’m nervous and excited to do it.’

When Holly Willoughby and her co-host Ben Shephard asked her about her previous dancing experience, she said: ‘How does dancing prepare you for skating? It’s completely different.

“It’s more about the mind and overcoming fear. You can make beautiful shapes with your arms and things like that, but it’s about overcoming the fear.”

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

A source previously told The Sun: ‘Claire will be 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.

It comes after Ricky, 44, revealed on This Morning: ‘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!’

The first contestant’s name was teased during the show by presenters Holly Willoughby and Ben Shephard.

Ricky’s silhouette was seen and a number of clues, including boxing gloves, were used to hint at his identity.

The sporting icon admitted that his daughters find his latest addition ‘absolutely hilarious’, but said he believes the show will be good for his well-being.

He said: ‘It was well documented that I had a hard time when I gave up boxing, along with a few other things, and I’m trying to do my bit for mental health… I’ve never been shy about talking about it. ‘

‘When I retired, I sat there with nothing to do and my world just kind of fell apart. It’s about staying busy and doing things that are positive and lead to new adventures!’

He also said, “I can dance on the solid floor, but I don’t know how I’ll do on the dance floor. It’s more about being disciplined and believing in yourself.

‘New adventures don’t get any further than Dancing On Ice. It’s a challenge and with boxing. it’s a balance.

“You remember the dance sequences and movements and in boxing you do that a bit, remembering combinations and things like that. I should have the qualities to do quite well.”

Gogglebox star Stephen Webb, 52, is reportedly 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 pursue ‘other opportunities’.

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

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

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

The 42-year-old singer is said to have already started rehearsals after leaving S Club in May following 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.

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.’

Dancing on Ice returns to ITV and ITVX in 2024 with a new cast.