EastEnders star Patsy Palmer has been announced as the first contestant for Dancing on Ice 2023.
The actress, known for her role as Bianca Jackson in the BBC soap opera, was unveiled for the upcoming series during Monday's episode of This Morning.
We've got a @dancingonice exclusive, as we reveal the first contestant for this year's show... @patsypalmerx!#ThisMorning #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/kkTWbFfu7x
— This Morning (@thismorning) October 3, 2022
Discussing her motivation for signing up, she told the ITV morning programme: "I wanted to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone.
"I thought, 'I'll just go for it', and it seems like a lot of fun."
"No backing out now!" laughed This Morning and Dancing on Ice host Holly Willoughby. "We've revealed you!"
Willoughby's co-host on both shows, Philip Schofield revealed that Palmer had turned down the opportunity to take part in Dancing on Ice in the past.
"Yes, I know, because I've been absolutely terrified before!" she replied.
"But I feel like my pact that I made with myself when I was 50, which I was this year, was I have to do things to challenge myself for the next couple of years and get out of my comfort zone, because I don't want to get stuck in this thing of like, 'Aaah, I'm 50!' It's such a weird age.
"So yeah, this is kind of for all the 50-year-olds out there that think that they can't challenge themselves! So feel free to follow me and watch me do whatever I need to do! I don't know - I'm actually quite scared now!"
Source: Press Association
