KYRAN BRACKEN

Skating Partner: Melanie Lambert

England rugby star Kyran Bracken is used to performing under pressure, having competed as part of Clive Woodward 2003 Rugby World Cup winning squad.

Kyran admits he wants to follow in the steps of another sporting star from last series, ‘safe hands’ David Seaman.

“David Seaman was by a mile the best skater last year, a 6ft 5 bloke whizzing round the ice! I’m going to follow his example.”

“I’m really looking forward to putting on a full routine and then doing it on the show and getting judged! Although at this stage my chances of winning are slender to nil.”

Along with the skating comes the extravagant costumes but unlike some of the other male celebrities, Kyran is unfazed by the prospect of wearing sequins.

“I’ll wear whatever they put me in, I’m not bothered about the sequins.”

Although his fellow rugby mates may have other ideas!

“Some of the rugby boys want to throw stuff at the ice in a bid to knock me over!”

Skating with Kyran is Melanie Lambert, who is one of the new skaters joining the show but the pair have been working hard.

“I’m loving it. It’s taking a long time to learn the basic principles but I’m getting there, Melanie is good fun but she just makes it look so easy! I’m still the regularly fall over on the ice type skater!”

“The last time I skated I was eight years old, I roller skated and then I went ice skating because some girls were there!”

But not one to be beaten, he has even roped his wife to help, admitting,

“I did some outside hours and went with my wife once. I always try and stay half an hour after my lesson to go through what I’ve learnt.”

Although, Kyran does confess that skating does have one perk.

“Well I put on ¾ stone after the rugby, that’s coming off now so I’m very happy!”