Diabetes could impact Dancing On Ice performance, says Sir Steve Redgrave
The former athlete, 62, is among a slew of famous faces who will take to the ice when the ITV show returns this weekend.
Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave has talked about how his diabetes and a condition affecting his hands could impact his performance on Dancing On Ice.
The former athlete, 62, who has five Olympic gold medals to his name, is among a slew of famous faces who will take to the ice when the ITV show returns this weekend.
Discussing his decision to take part, he said: “I’ve never had the opportunity before as my diary was always so packed due to my training.
“The other reason is because earlier this year Chris (Dean) and Jayne (Torvill) celebrated their 40th anniversary of them winning in Sarajevo (at the Winter Olympics) and it’s my 40th anniversary as well.
“The show asked me to record a segment for Chris and Jayne and what they mean to British sport, both then and now, and at the end of it I said ‘I suppose you’re going to try and get me on the show now’ and here I am.”
Sir Steve won his first Olympic gold medal more than 40 years ago in the coxed fours in the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
Reflecting on what he was most nervous about, he said: “I’ve been diabetic for almost 30 years so the sensation in my feet isn’t as good as what it used to be so navigating my footing on the ice could be a problem.
“I also have dupuytren’s contracture which affects my hands, meaning I can’t make them flat. So if I do fall over, although I’m planning not to, it means I may have trouble getting up.”
Dupuytren’s contracture is when one or more fingers bend in towards the palm and although it is not usually painful, it tends to get slowly worse over time, according to the NHS website.
Reality star Ferne McCann, who found fame on The Only Way Is Essex, will also compete and said she was left “scarred” after her first skating experience when she was seven-years-old.
“My first ever experience on the ice wasn’t great and left me scarred and the first time I ever went to A&E and got stitches”, she said.
“I went to an ice-skating party when I was seven and this boy skated into me and his skate went into my leg, but I love that story because like anything in my life, I get back up and here we are.”
She also said that her daughter Sunday “is very protective and is worried about me falling over” but added that she thinks she will “love watching me on the ice”.
Also taking part in the show is Traitors contestant Mollie Pearce, former EastEnders star Charlie Brooks, reality stars Dan Edgar and Chris Taylor, and Hollyoaks actor Chelsee Healey.
Completing the line-up is presenter Michaela Strachan, comedian Josh Jones, former Premier League defender Anton Ferdinand, and soap star Sam Aston.
In December, Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey said she was “absolutely gutted” when she announced her withdrawal from the competition after fracturing her ankle.
Soap star Ryan Thomas and his professional skating partner Amani Fancy won last year’s Dancing On Ice.
– The show returns Sunday January 12 at 6.30pm, live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
