Rachel Stevens is tipped to appear on Dancing On Ice tonight after all after previously being written off as a contestant due to injury.
The 43-year-old chart topping star fractured her wrist during an accident while training for ITV’s notoriously dangerous and long running winter sport themed reality contest.
Fans and fellow contestants were distraught that Rachel was due to miss her appearance on Sunday night’s show while she recovered from her injury – with show bosses confirming she would be absent earlier in the week.
But now it seems Rachel’s recovery has been more successful than expected, with the star pictured rehearsing on the ice – meaning she will make it to the rink on Sunday night after all.
Rachel herself told The Sun on Sunday: “I’m so happy to be back on the ice.
“Brendyn asked if I was nervous, but I’m more excited than nervous.
“He has created a wonderful routine and I can’t wait to perform at last.”
Dancing On Ice is not the first time Rachel has taken to screens to prove her worth in front of a panel of judges – this time moving for the delights of Ashley Banjo, Christopher Dean, Jayne Torvill and Oti Mabuse.
Back in 2006, the former S Club 7 singer was a contestant on series six of Strictly Come Dancing – where she came in second place.
Addressing speculating the this will give Rachel an upper hand over her fellow Dancing On Ice contestants, she said this would not be so.
She insisted to the Mirror last week: "Obviously the structure of the show is very similar but I mean Strictly was 12 years ago for me, so it was a long time ago. But when you add the element of the ice, then it's a whole different ball game.
"It's learning this most incredible skill which is just so amazing. The pros make it look so effortless and when I watch it, I'm like wow this is so beautiful. They make it look so easy and then when you get on there, it's so so hard."
During the same interview, Rachel opened up about her injury at the time.
She explained: "It's definitely been scary. This happened at the beginning of December, so once I knew what had happened, I was just so grateful that I knew I could stay in the show and still be a part of it.
"It's definitely been a process and I've had my wobbles for sure. When I take on something, I want to give it my all and I really care about doing the best I can. It's been frustrating and scary."
A spokesperson for the ITV show had previously written off Rachel’s involvement this weekend, saying in a statement: "Due to an injury sustained in training and on the expert advice from the Dancing on Ice medical professionals, Rachel Stevens will not skate in this Sunday's show. We look forward to her returning to the show next weekend."
Dancing On Ice continues on ITV on Sunday night at 6:30pm.
