Dancing On Ice 2023: Comedian Darren Harriott is confirmed as the eighth contestant

Darren Harriott has confirmed he’s signed up for the new series of Dancing On Ice as he joked his ‘giant feet’ could be problematic.

The comedian, 34, joined Trisha Goddard on Talk TV, where he said: ‘I’ve got giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance! My family has already made bets – they’re making bets that I’ll fall on the first episode!’ 

He becomes the eighth celebrity to join the line-up for alongside previously announced actress and DJ Patsy Palmer, football legend John Fashanu, Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu. 

Exciting! Darren Harriott, 34, has confirmed he’s signed up for the new series of Dancing On Ice as he joked his ‘giant feet’ could be problematic

Joey Essex was unveiled as seventh star to sign up for hit show, following on from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’s The Vivienne and Coronation Street star Mollie Gallagher and Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson. 

Speaking on Friday’s This Morning Joey revealed he had been set to appear in the 2013 series but had been ‘too immature’ and ‘messing around’ during a rehearsal.

Joining Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond in the studio, he said: ‘I’m so excited. I wanted something in my life with structure and it’s more serious than what I usually do.

Hilarious: The comedian said: ‘I’ve got giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance! My family has already made bets – they’re making bets that I’ll fall on the first episode!’

‘I’ve done all the dating shows in the world but this is more serious… like SAS: Who Dares Wins.  

‘I used to go to foam parties in a dancing rink, I’m not the best skater. I did it maybe when I was 11 or 12 but nothing proper. It’s scary, it’s a competition, I’ve done The Jump which is similar sort of… well I won it but I don’t know how.

‘This is one of them shows I’m looking at thinking winning would be a bonus, I’m gonna put all my energy into it.

‘When I came out of the jungle in 2013, we met with producers, I went on the ice but I was a little bit immature and was messing around and it wasn’t right for me and the producers knew too but at this time of my life I’m ready. 

‘I’m already in training now… well not for the ice but in the gym. Doing the running.’

James Lee Williams, 29, the drag artist from Liverpool best known as The Vivienne, won the first series of the hit show, which aired in 2019. 

Since winning the series, they have gone on to front a number of TV shows in the United States and also appeared in the special Christmas edition of BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee.

Revealing the news on social media, The Vivienne said: ‘I’m beyond excited to announce that I will be competing in Dancing on Ice in 2023! 

‘This is honestly a dream come true and I can’t wait to start training on the ice. To be the first drag artist to take part in one of the big UK reality competition shows is truly an honour. 

‘I think it’s a big step forward for queer representation on TV.’

It comes a day after it was revealed Coronation Street star Mollie Gallagher is also joining the series.  

DANCING ON ICE 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

PATSY PALMER 

AGE: 50

PROFESSION: Actress and DJ

WHAT DID THEY SAY?:  ‘I’ve turned it down before because I was terrified, but when I turned 50 I made a pact to get out of my confront zone. ‘

EKIN-SU CULCULOGLU

AGE: 28

PROFESSION: Love Island star 

WHAT DID THEY SAY?:  ‘I’ve got some amazing news to tell you. I’m so excited, I can’t wait to get myself on the ice and skate. Stay tuned and see you on the ice.’

 MOLLIE GALLAGHER 

AGE: 24

PROFESSION: Actress

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve not got the best coordination so when people find out they will laugh, but I don’t want to spend my life saying “I can’t do this, I can’t do that.”

JOEY ESSEX

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AGE: 32 

PROFESSION: Ex TOWIE star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited. I wanted something in my life with structure and it’s more serious than what I usually do.’

 JOHN FASHANU 

AGE: 60

PROFESSION: Former footballer and pundit 

WHAT DID THEY SAY?:  ‘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!’

NILE WILSON

AGE: 26

PROFESSION: Olympic gymnast 

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve not done much ice-skating but I am so excited for the opportunity. I’m so excited to get into that routine and to feel like an athlete again.’

 JAMES LEE WILLIAM AKA THE VIVIENNE 

AGE: 29

PROFESSION: Drag queen

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘To be the first drag artist to take part in one of the big UK reality competition shows is an honour and a big step forward for queer representation on TV.’