Reality star Joey Essex has been announced as the seventh contestant on Dancing on Ice.
This Morning's Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond revealed the news after sharing several clues throughout the show. The former The Only Way is Essex star said he was asked to compete years ago but didn't feel it was the right time.
Discussing the show, he said: "It's more serious than what I normally do. I like doing serious stuff. I'm not the best skater. I skated when I was around 11 or 12 but nothing proper. I did The Jump... I don't know how I won that. This is one of those shows where winning is a bonus but I'm going to give it my everything.
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"When I came out of the jungle in 2013 we went to meet the producers [about joining Dancing on Ice] and I was just messing about, I was immature back then and I've matured now. Back then it wouldn't have been right for me but at this stage in my life I'm so ready for this."
He added: "I'm doing it for me, I want to impress the judges but I want to impress myself."
Joey will join the likes of actresses Patsy Palmer and Mollie Gallagher, Drag Race star The Vivienne, and former footballer John Fashanu. Rounding out the cast is Love Island's Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson.
Hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield will welcome the celebrity faces to the ITV show as they swap their normal professions for the ice rink. Each will be paired with a professional ice skater as they strut their stuff to music to try and wow judges Oti Mabuse, dancer Ashley Banjo and skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
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