‘I won’t take any risks for my daughter’s sake’: Denise Van Outen insists she won’t be trying any death-defying moves during Dancing On Ice
Denise Van Outen has insisted she won’t be trying any death-defying moves on Dancing On Ice next year.
The TV personality, 46, is among the favourites to take home the trophy in the upcoming series when it returns to ITV in January.
Speaking to The Sunday Mirror’s Notebook Magazine, Denise cited her daughter Betsy, eight, as the reason she wouldn’t be taking too many risks on the ice.
No risks: Denise Van Outen has insisted she won’t be trying any death-defying moves on Dancing On Ice next year
She said: ‘I won’t take any risks on the ice for my daughter’s sake.’
One of the show’s most nail biting moves is the headbanger, where a skater is swung around with their head being raised and lowered, often dangerously close to the ice.
Donna Air previously told how she had been banned from attempting the move when she took part in the 2018 series as bosses told her she was ‘too tall’.
Denise shares her daughter Betsy with her ex-husband Lee Mead, who she was married to from 2009 to 2013.
Family: Speaking to The Sunday Mirror’s Notebook Magazine, Denise cited her daughter Betsy, eight, as the reason she wouldn’t be taking too many risks on the ice
The star is partnered with pro skater Matt Evers on the upcoming series and will be competing against the likes of Myleene Klass and Rebekah Vardy.
It comes after reports that Dancing On Ice was going to be ‘hit in a big way’ during the second lockdown due to some rinks being closed to adhere to new coronavirus guidelines.
The pro skaters and celebrities were said to be concerned that they’ll be unable to train due to council ice rinks shutting.
The new rules, which came into effect on Thursday, will also see all leisure centres and sporting venues shut until at least Wednesday 2 December.
Motherhood: Denise shares her daughter Betsy with her ex-husband Lee Mead, who she was married to from 2009 to 2013
Despite not all ice rinks shutting, some pro skaters and celebrities are said to be worried they’ll be unable to train as they don’t live near the select few open venues.
A source told The Sun: ‘Lockdown is affecting many industries, but Dancing On Ice looks set to be hit in a big way.
‘The main concern from some of the professionals is that because council rinks are being closed down, they’re going to be left with nowhere to train.
‘Not all of them are near one of the few available UK rinks so it remains to be seen how they’ll get on-ice training.’
Pals: Denise is partnered with pro skater Matt Evers (far left) on the upcoming series and will be competing against the likes of Billie Faiers (pictured)
Yet a Dancing On Ice spokesperson hit back at the claims and told MailOnline: ‘We’re in constant contact with our entire cast in training and there have been no concerns raised.
‘All scheduled training is proceeding safely within guidelines and at easily accessible locations.’
They added: ‘ITV takes the safety and welfare of everyone involved with its programmes extremely seriously and follows all government guidelines regarding Covid-19.
‘The government has confirmed that TV production can carry on throughout lockdown, to that end we will be hiring the local ice rinks on a private and exclusive hire basis.’
So far, the cast have been undergoing weekly coronavirus tests in order to train with their professional partners on the ice.
Guidelines: It comes after reports that Dancing On Ice would be ‘hit in a big way’ during the second lockdown due to some rinks being closed to adhere to new coronavirus guidelines (pictured in November 2020)