Love Island star Maura Higgins and TV presenter Michael Barrymore are the first celebrities confirmed for the next series of the Dancing on Ice.
Longford lass Maura will be swapping the warm climes of Majorca for a much cooler temperature this winter when she joins 10 other stars on the ITV ice skating show, which will air early next year.
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
Speaking to the show's hosts, Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield on This Morning, Higgins said: "I've skated once in my life for fun, so I've no experience at all. I'm up for the challenge. I'm more excited than scared. I'm competitive so I think that will drive me."
She's swapping the sun for the skates... it's @MauraHiggins!#DancingonIce #ThisMorning pic.twitter.com/36iBAJscEM
— This Morning (@thismorning) September 24, 2019
However, she did confess to being nervous about performing "the headbanger" - a move that sees a skater being picked up by the ankle and spun around by their partner.
"The headbanger is what frightens me. I'm more excited than scared. I'm competitive so I think that will drive me.'
She added: 'I need someone strict I think. Otherwise I’ll just throw a strop, I’ll lay on the floor!"
Appearing via video link, Barrymore said: "I'm delighted to say that I'll be joining the Dancing on Ice line up for 2020. I'm looking forward to meeting Holly and Phil. I'm very excited... it's performance time!"
We have not one, but TWO announcements!
— This Morning (@thismorning) September 24, 2019
Joining @MauraHiggins on the ice, is the one and only @MrBarrymore! pic.twitter.com/mgtZp6vEHM
