Gymnast Nile Wilson Can Skate Away With Dancing on Ice 2023
It might not match the viewing figures of Strictly Come Dancing or I’m a Celebrity, but Dancing on Ice still attracts an average of four million sets of eyes. With the dust slowly settling on Jill Scott’s jungle triumph and Hamza Yassin looking like the inevitable winner of Strictly – he is the odds-on favorite – bookmakers have now set prices on ITV’s next celebrity gameshow that will begin in January.
Love Island winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu has had a remarkable year. Success in Dancing on Ice will make things even better for the 28-year-old. ©GettyImages
The broadcaster says little will change in the forthcoming series of Dancing on Ice. Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby will present the show. And Christopher Dean, Jayne Torvill, Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse make up the judging panel again.
There will be changes with the professional skaters – reigning champion Karina Manta is amongst those not returning – but this is normal for the show. Once again, Dancing on Ice will be filmed in the purpose-built studio at Bovingdon Airfield. It is also used for filming The Masked Singer.
Ekin-Su Can Land a Second ITV Show?
A smaller-than-normal field of 11 celebrity contestants are confirmed for the 15th series of Dancing on Ice. The first episode is expected to be broadcast on January 15th. But TV ‘specials’ bookmakers have wasted no time on setting markets on the ITV show. They make Love Island winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu the early betting favorite.
Here is our guide to 2023s contestants with the latest prices available at the best Dancing on Ice betting sites.
Ekin-Su Culculoglu 7/2
The Turkish actress, singer, and model from Essex won Love Island 2022 alongside Davide Sanclimenti. Little known 12 months ago, Ekin-Su now has 3.2 million Instagram followers. But can she dance or skate? Having studied performing arts, there is every chance the 28-year-old will display some significant skating skills.
Nile Wilson 4/1
26-year-old Olympic bronze medal-winning gymnast Nile Wilson has just 54,000 Twitter followers. His YouTube channel does boast an impressive following in excess of 1.5 million. But it is Wilson’s remarkable athletic prowess that makes him many people’s idea of 2023 Dancing on Ice champion.
Joey Essex 11/2
Essex rose to fame as part of The Only Way Is Essex. He was a cast member on the show during its most popular years: 2011-2013. The 32-year-old has subsequently become a celebrity/reality TV show veteran appearing in Splash, I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!, The Jump, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, Celebrity MasterChef, and Celebs Go Dating.
Better get my skates on! I’m only doing @dancingonice @ITV #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/kWGhZ3QBZk
— Joey Essex (@JoeyEssex_) October 7, 2022
The chirpy-chappy has a huge social media following – including a flock of 3.1 million on Twitter. But it is unclear if he has any ice-skating experience or even the ability to dance on firm ground.
Mollie Gallagher 7/1
Just 25, Gallagher is known for her role as Nina Lucas in Coronation Street. Many stars from the ITV soap have taken to the Dancing on Ice rink over the years. They include Samia Longchambon, Jane Danson, Sally Dynevor – who took part in the last series – and winners Hayley Tamaddon (2010) and Gaynor Faye (2006).
Gallagher is a difficult candidate to assess. But, having studied at two drama schools, she is sure to have experience dancing before a live audience.
Siva Kaneswaran 7/1
There is no evidence The Wanted star can dance, and when announcing his Dancing on Ice participation (on Good Morning Britain) the 34-year-old said: “I’m looking forward to meeting all the cast. I want to learn how to skate and make my family proud of me and put on a show for everyone to see and hopefully not make a fool of myself!”
Michelle Heaton 7/1
Heaton spent six years as a member of Liberty X (2001-2007). Now 43, much of her celebrity relates to appearances in shows containing former celebrities. 2009’s Celebrity Big Brother and I’m a Celebrity were highlights, but 2018s Tattoo Fixers Extreme underlines the direction of her career.
She did study at a school for performing arts and made a fitness video. So Heaton can presumably dance with athleticism which means she can probably skate.
Carley Stenson 12/1
Hollyoaks and Doctors actress Carley Stenson is one of the lesser-known 2023 Dancing on Ice contestants. The mother of one – an 18-month-old – is 40, but her fitness levels are high. Her website states: “From the age of three, Carley trained in dance, singing, and drama. With hard work, drive, determination, and support from her family, Carley has been a professional performer for 20 years.”
Patsy Palmer 16/1
“I wanted to challenge myself, get back to work, get out of my comfort zone. And I just thought ‘Oh I’ll just go for it’, it seems like a lot of fun and I do love ice skating but I’m not an ice skater,” said Palmer when confirming her participation in Dancing on Ice.
It is a fact, 50-year-old Palmer – who appeared in EastEnders on and off between 1993 and 2019 – is likely to be handicapped by her age in this competition. And with an admission that she does not skate, Palmer’s 16/1 odds seem miserly.
The Vivienne 16/1
Another riding on the celebrity TV show bandwagon, The Vivienne has appeared in ‘celebrity’ Hunted, Mastermind, and Karaoke Club during 2022.
The Vivienne will be taking a big step on the ice. ©GettyImages
There is no guessing how seriously the drag star – real name James Williams (30) – will take the show. On announcing her participation in Dancing on Ice she said: “To be the first drag artist to take part in one of the big UK reality competition shows is truly an honor. I think it’s a big step forward for queer representation on TV.”
Darren Harriott 16/1
With just 7,000 Twitter followers and only slightly more on Instagram, the 34-year-old stand-up comedian probably has the lowest profile of all 2023 Dancing on Ice contestants. Had/has an exceptional agent who got him booked for several bit parts in 2019 – including Celebrity University Challenge and The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice.
But Harriott’s profile is not going to earn the number of votes it will for those with millions of social media followers. Soundbite quotes such as: “I’ve got giant feet. I can’t skate. I don’t really dance. What am I doing? Help me. I’m panicking,” do not bode well either.
John Fashanu 25/1
Football legend John Fashanu is far more optimistic. Speaking about his appearance in the show, the 60-year-old declared: “I’m so excited to be a part of Dancing on Ice! I don’t think it’ll come as a surprise to people that I’m very competitive – I am definitely in it to win it. And this may be one of the scariest things I’ve ever signed up for, but I couldn’t be more ready for the challenge!”
Who Is the Best Bet for Dancing on Ice 2023?
Dancer Regan Gascoigne was 26 when he won this show a year ago. The 2021 winner, Sonny Jay, was 27. The oldest previous winner was James Jordan. The former Strictly Come Dancing professional was 40 when scoring in 2019. This statistic makes it easy to dismiss Carley Stenson, Patsy Palmer, Michelle Heaton, and John Fashanu as potential winners.
Six of the previous winners claimed their celebrity status as a cast member in a British soap opera. But a better overall strike rate – due to fewer representatives – belongs to those with a dancing or gymnastic background.
A novelty act has never won Dancing on Ice – or Strictly Come Dancing – and Joey Essex, The Vivienne, and Darren Harriott may all come under the ‘novelty’ banner. They could struggle to attract votes based on laughs alone. It is a tactic that saw Tony Adams outlast his welcome in this year’s Strictly, but it is not a recipe for outright success.
With the Coronation Street connection and her age, if Mollie Gallagher can skate, she must have an outstanding chance. Ekin-Su Culculoglu also has youth going for her and a massive social media following. Two big positives but, again, the question is: Can she skate?
But our idea of a value bet is Nile Wilson. As an artistic gymnast, he is almost certain to possess the skills needed to pull off an array of skating maneuvers. The five-time Commonwealth champion is 4/1 to follow in the tracks of 2013 Dancing on Ice winner, Beth Tweddle.
