First Dancing On Ice star confirmed

First Dancing On Ice star revealed:  Sporting legend CONFIRMS he will be going from the ring to the rink

World Champion Boxer Ricky Hatton MBE is the first celebrity confirmed to be taking part in the next series of Dancing On Ice. 

Revealing the news exclusively on This Morning on Tuesday, Ricky, 44, said: If I can hold my nerve in the boxing ring I should be able to hold my nerve in the ice rink. I like setting new challenges and keeping myself busy!’

The name of the first contestant had been teased throughout the show by hosts Holly Willoughby and Ben Shephard.

Ricky’s silhouette could be seen and a number of clues including boxing gloves were used to hint at his identity. 

The sporting icon admitted his daughters are finding his latest signing ‘absolutlely hilarious’ but he said that he believes the show will be good for his well-being.

First Dancing On Ice star revealed: Sporting legend Ricky Hatton was confirmed to be taking part in the new series of the talent show on Tuesday

He said: ‘It was well documented that I struggled when I retired from boxing amongst a few other things and I’m trying to do my bit for mental health. 

‘When I retired I was sat there with nothing to do and my world fell apart a little bit. It’s all about keeping busy and doing things that are positive and new adventures!’

Claire Sweeney is reportedly set to be unveiled as the next ‘big name’ who will skate in the new series.

The actress, 52, is best known as Lindsay Corkhill 90s soap Brookside before joining Corrie earlier this year in the role of Cassie Plumber.

A source told The Sun: ‘Claire is going to be the first big name to be unveiled for Dancing On Ice’.

‘She is a really talented performer and is pretty decent on the ice already.’

No stranger to the spotlight Claire has previously sung and dance in string of musicals including Guys and Dolls and Legally Blonde.

MailOnline have contacted ITV and Claire’s reps for comment.

Revealing the news exclusively on This Morning, Ricky, 44, said: If I can hold my nerve in the boxing ring I should be able to hold my nerve in the ice rink. I like setting new challenges and keeping myself busy!’

Doing what he does best: Ricky (L) in action against Carlos Maussa (R) during their unification light welterweight title fight at the Sheffield Arena November 26, 2005 in Sheffield

It comes after legendary Gogglebox star Stephen Webb, 52, was reportedly set to join the line-up  ‘in a bombshell move’.

He announced he was leaving the Channel 4’s show earlier this month in a bid to pursue ‘other opportunities’.

And according to The Sun it turned out the Brighton hair salon owner has traded ‘his sofa for skates’, as a source admitted several Gogglebox stars ‘face a dilemma at some point’ as they receive various offers after developing a higher profile.

The telly source told the publication: ‘Stephen had very much developed his own profile. It wasn’t a surprise he received other offers, though no one would have necessarily guessed he’d be doing Dancing On Ice.’ 

Stephen has been on the Channel 4’s show for a decade and was one of the most prominent stars – but he told fans earlier this month: ‘After careful consideration, Daniel and I have decided we will not be returning for the new series of Gogglebox.

Get your skates on! Claire Sweeney, 52, is reportedly set to be unveiled as the next ‘big name’ who will skate in the new series of Dancing On Ice  

Throwback: She is best known as Lindsay Corkhill 90s soap Brookside (L-R Claire Sweeney, Dean Sullivan, Sue Jenkins, and George Christophe pictured on the soap in 1989) 

‘We feel the time is right to move on and explore other opportunities.’

MailOnline contacted Dancing On Ice reps for a comment. 

The star-studded list for the upcoming season of Dancing On Ice keeps bringing on surprise – as boxing legend Ricky Hatton has been signed to join the iconic competition, according to The Sun.

The former boxing world champion, 44, is reportedly preparing to start training for the show.

It comes over 10 years since Ricky retired from boxing, hanging up his gloves in 2012 after being knocked out by Vyacheslav Senchenko.

He had an illustrious career, which featured 43 straight wins as a professional before two losses in four fights to Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao.

The sportsman has been open about his struggles with depression and alcoholism, which he said was sparked by his first professional loss to Mayweather in December 2007. 

It has also been reported that S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt has joined the cast of the ITV show. 

Update: It comes after legendary Gogglebox star Stephen Webb, 52, was reportedly set to join the line-up ‘in a bombshell move’

Departing: Stephen told fans earlier this month: ‘After careful consideration, Daniel and I have decided we will not be returning for the new series of Gogglebox’

The singer, 42, is said to have already started rehearsals, after she left S Club in May, after the shocking death of her former boyfriend and bandmate Paul Cattermole.

Hannah will be following in the footsteps of fellow S Club star Rachel Stevens who competed on the show in 2022.

A spokesperson for the show declined to comment on the claims and said all names are ‘purely speculative’ at this point. 

Shona McGarty has also been rumoured to be taking part, after she quit her role on EastEnders after 15 years.

The actress, 31, who played Whitney Dean on the BBC soap, quit her role in July after a reported cast shake up.

Former partnership: Holly Willoughby is set to return as host for the show, after after her former co-star Phillip Schofield was axed from the programme (pictured in January this year)

Holly Willoughby is set to return as host for the show, after after her former co-star Phillip Schofield was axed from the programme.

Phillip, 61, presented the series alongside Holly, 42, for 12 series, before and after its four-year hiatus, before he was axed from his ITV shows this year after he had an affair with a junior This Morning colleague.

Stephen Mulhern is reportedly being lined up to replace Phillip, and is said to have been offered the show and is thinking it over, according to the Mirror.

The Catchphrase star, 46, has already had a taste of hosting the figure skating competition after he was brought in to replace Phillip when he was struck down with Covid last February.

It was claimed Vernon Kay was also being considered for the role while Holly is also close to Bradley Walsh, while Jordan Banjo could be another option.

An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We will be confirming details about Dancing on Ice 2024 in due course.’

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