Claire Sweeney brushes off strictly experience as she takes on dancing on ice 2024

As the countdown begins for the return of Dancing On Ice with its star-studded lineup, Claire Sweeney dismisses the notion that her past stint on Strictly Come Dancing will be an advantage when she hits the ice rink in 2024.

The 52-year-old, set to grace the show next month, reminisced about her participation in the inaugural series of the BBC hit back in 2004, where she was the fourth celebrity to bid farewell.

In a recent interview with Prima magazine, when asked if her prior dance floor experience would aid her on Dancing On Ice, Sweeney bluntly replied, “No.”

“Whatever experience you’ve had, it’s irrelevant if you have the fear,” she asserted. Candidly revealing her struggles, she admitted to grappling with nerves and the challenge of balancing on her left leg, seeking specialized routines to accommodate her skating concerns.

Interestingly, S Club 7 alum Rachel Stevens, a runner-up on Strictly in 2008, faced similar skepticism when she ventured onto the ice in 2022. Refuting any advantage from her previous dance show stint, Stevens exited the competition as the third eliminated contestant.

Joining Sweeney on the frosty battleground are fellow celebs, including former bandmate Hannah Spearritt, long jumper Greg Rutherford – known for his 2016 BBC dance show appearance – and a mix of personalities spanning from presenter Adele Roberts to Love Island champ Amber Davies.

Soap stars, a boxer, a ski jumper, and a comedian round out the diverse lineup, promising an icy showdown of skills and surprises when the competition kicks off.