ITV’s Dancing on Ice 2025 is back and promises a season full of excitement, drama, and jaw-dropping performances. This season’s contestants are bringing a mix of glamour, talent, and juicy headlines to the rink. Holly Willoughby—who returned to the show last year after a challenging time—and Stephen Mulhern return as hosts to guide us through this icy journey, while Oti Mabuse, Ashley Banjo, Jayne Torvill, and Christopher Dean reprise their roles as judges.
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Despite some setbacks, including Dame Sarah Storey’s unfortunate withdrawal due to an ankle injury, the show boasts an impressive lineup of contestants.
Michaela Strachan
Wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan, beloved for her work on Springwatch, has embraced the icy challenge with her usual adventurous spirit. However, her journey hasn’t been smooth, reports The Independent. Michaela’s excitement for DOI is tempered by her pre-show injury, a sprained ankle sustained while running. She shared:
I’ve got some good bruises. I actually had an injury before I got on the ice. I sprained my ankle quite badly two months before we started. I was on crutches.
Her partner wasn’t happy about the injury as he told her:
You’re doing Dancing on Ice! This is really not good. You’re injured before you even hit the ice.
Chelsee Healey
Known for her role as Goldie McQueen in Hollyoaks, Chelsee Healey’s DOI journey has already been eventful. During rehearsals, she suffered a dramatic fall, reports MailOnline. She hurt her tailbone and lost consciousness as she was dragged off the ice by partner Andy Buchanan.
Andy told The Sun:
We had one fall. She fell right on her tailbone, right on her coccyx. You know that shock that goes right through your body, and then she fainted. That was a bit of a scary one.
She was out for a minute. I was like, "Look at me," and then there was no looking at me.
Chelsee admitted that she didn’t recall much about the incident except for feeling ‘dizzy’ before passing out. She added that DOI has been the most ‘mentally challenging’ thing she had ever done.
Dan Edgar
TOWIE star Dan Edgar is no stranger to reality TV, but the icy stage is a far cry from Essex. Dan’s appearance comes with its own share of drama, as he once dated his fellow contestant Anton Ferdinand’s sister-in-law, reports MailOnline.
The former TOWIE actress is now married to football legend Rio and will be joining him to support his brother on the show. The two could face an icy reunion in the DOI studio but sources reveal she’s prepared. One said:
Rio and Kate will be putting on a united front as they come to the Dancing On Ice studio to watch Anton. It is always awkward seeing an ex; Kate is just glad to have Rio by her side in the audience.
Anton Ferdinand
Former professional footballer Anton Ferdinand is bringing athleticism and determination to DOI. Reportedly he is embracing this new challenge for his daughter, who loves dance and performing arts. This comes after Anton faced a severe racism row in the past.
The incident occurred in 2011 during a Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea, where Anton accused Chelsea captain John Terry of using a racial slur against him, as reported by BBC. The case garnered national and international attention, as it highlighted ongoing issues of racism in football. In recent years, Anton has spoken openly about the emotional toll the incident had on him and his family and said:
I beat myself up about not speaking out…My mum's house was targeted with missiles. I got sent bullets in the post.
Chris Taylor
The Love Island alum is trading tropical villas for a chilly rink. After his brief cameo in the Barbie movie and a second shot at love on Love Island All Stars, Chris has vowed to give his all on ice, reports Metro.co.uk. Ahead of his appearance, he said:
I’m somewhere between absolutely terrified and very excited and I keep flitting between the two quite aggressively throughout the day.
Josh Jones
Comedian Josh Jones is ready to bring laughs to the ice. A rising star in the UK comedy scene, Josh has already won fans with his unique voice and hilarious musings. Interestingly, he was once teased for his voice when he was a young child, reports Manchester Evening News. Speaking to the M.E.N. in 2023, he said:
Not even the fact that I'm gay, but the fact that I sound so gay, I've had this all my life. People have been taking the p*** out of me for the way I speak literally for all my life. If I do TV you get people being like 'Oh he's putting that voice on', but I'm not. This is just the way I speak.
Charlie Brooks
As Janine Butcher on EastEnders, Charlie Brooks became one of the most iconic villains in British TV history. In real life, she keeps things more amicable like with her ex-husband and their close-knit bond. While she headed to DOI to have fun with it, she revealed that the show helped her ‘trust again’ in love.
Charlie has recently hinted at her new romance with TV producer James Fuller. While it’s ‘still early days’ for the couple, The Sun reports, DOI has helped strengthen their bond. Charlie told the publication:
The lessons I’m learning on the ice, I swear to God, like the parallels I’m having in my own life…to surrender into the ice, not being resistant, like lean into me, trust him. Don’t put blocks up.
I feel like there’s been quite a lot of unblocking and growth, connection and heart opening. It’s been amazing.
Sam Aston
Best known as Chesney Brown from Coronation Street, Sam Aston revealed his participation on DOI on This Morning. The 31-year-old was dressed in a snowman suit in the studio before the big reveal. Aston is ready to show the world the real him. The actor, who’s been on Corrie since 2003, is excited to step into a new spotlight. Though nervous, Sam is looking forward to the thrill of live performances.
Sir Steve Redgrave
Sir Steve Redgrave, the most decorated male rower in history, is no stranger to competition. With five consecutive Olympic gold medals, his discipline and physicality make him a formidable contestant on DOI. However, his journey hasn't been without challenges. Sir Steve has been candid about his health battles, including Type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and a frozen shoulder, which have left him in significant discomfort during rehearsals, reports Wales Online.
Mollie Pearce
Mollie Pearce, a finalist from The Traitors, is a disability model who has broken barriers in the fashion industry. Born with a visible limb difference on her right hand, she faced another hurdle at the age of 11 when she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis—an autoimmune condition causing inflammation in the large intestine. At 18, she underwent life-changing surgery to remove her colon and now lives with a stoma, which she proudly named Sid, reports The Scottish Sun.
Ferne McCann
Reality star Ferne McCann, famous for TOWIE and her own show First Time Mum, is bringing her vibrant personality to the rink. Despite being approached for the show in previous years, Ferne finally accepted the challenge in 2025. She’s determined to prove she’s more than just a reality star, balancing her family life and rigorous training sessions with flair.
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Sources used:
The Independent: Dancing on Ice’s Michaela Strachan on crutches before 2025 live launch
MailOnline: Dancing On Ice star Chelsee Healey knocked unconscious
MailOnline: Kate Ferdinand 'set for an awkward encounter with her ex boyfriend Dan Edgar' as Dancing On Ice returns
BBC: Anton Ferdinand: 'I've carried the burden for nine years'
Metro.co.uk: Who is on Dancing On Ice 2025? Full cast lineup ahead of launch
Manchester Evening News: Who is Josh Jones on Dancing on Ice 2025 - where you've seen him before and being teased for voice
The Sun: Charlie Brooks breaks silence on new boyfriend saying Dancing On Ice ‘helped her trust again’
Wales Online: Dancing on Ice's Sir Steve Redgrave left in 'agony' due to health condition
The Scottish Sun: Dancing on Ice's Sir Steve Redgrave left in 'agony' due to health condition
