Dancing on Ice’s Regan Gascoigne has detailed the gruelling routine preparation ahead of the live final on Sunday evening, which his footballer dad Paul Gascoigne will miss.
The Rangers legend, 54, won't be in the audience of the hit ITV skating show, but Regan, 26, will be cheered on by his mum Sheryl and sister Bianca.
Regan has been left “upset” the show’s winter run is set to come to an end, in a heated final pitting Regan up against Strictly Come Dancing ’s Brendan Cole and Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt.
Regan, who is the bookmakers’ favourite to win going into the competition, has been training until 9pm alongside partner Karina Manta in the days leading up to the final.
Taking to Instagram, Regan detailed the gruelling schedule, which was extended by a week after Dancing on Ice was moved back to allow ITV to show the live FA Cup.
Regan told his followers: “I can't believe the final is going to be in two days. This experience is going way too fast for my liking. I'm not happy it's coming to an end on Sunday.”
He continued: “We have a really packed day today. We're not finishing until 9pm tonight as we have got four routines to rehearse.
“Hopefully I get to perform all four of those; if not at least I'll get to do three of those. The fourth one will be the Bolero.”
“I'm really upset this whole experience is coming to an end, because I've honestly loved it. I don't think anything will be able to top it.”
Regan, who is paired with American ice dancer Karina Manta, has spoken out several times about the rumours suggesting the show has been fixed, as all three of the celebrity finalists have extensive dance backgrounds.
During an interview on This Morning, he said being “used to taking on routines” has helped him during Dancing on Ice, but he’s had no other advantage over other contestants.
“But when it comes to the ice skating, it is totally different. There's a right and a wrong, everything has to be in a sequence and a step, but maybe I know how to hold my arms and stuff, but that is about it. Everything else is just brand new!” he explained.
Despite being the odds-on favourite to lift the trophy this year, Regan said he was “genuinely shocked” to be in the final, but dismissed claims he was one of the show’s underdogs.
“I'm just loving it and really enjoying it. I'm embracing every moment of it, but I don't think I'm the dark horse,” he told The Sun.
*The Dancing on Ice 2022 final airs on Sunday 27 March at 7pm on ITV