LEE SHARPE

Skating Partner: Frankie Poultney

Ex-Manchester United and England midfielder Lee Sharpe admits that the sequins are his biggest concerns but that his mum is going to be his biggest fan!

“I suppose making a fool of myself – falling over in a daft outfit! The outfits are probably the scary thing. I don’t mind pink but it’s the too much flesh and too many sequins that I’m concerned about!

“I’m going to be so nervous before I go on but I think it’s like playing a football match - the adrenalin and the nerves before you go out in front of a live audience and millions on TV is all part of the fun, excitement and adrenalin that makes you enjoy playing football. So, I think I’ll be looking forward to the adrenalin rush.

“My mum thinks it’s a good thing because I’m quite sporty and tend to pick things up quite quickly. She knew this was going to be tough challenge for me and I was going to have ups and downs - she is really pleased I’m doing it.”

Talking about the other celebrities, Lee confesses that Duncan, Stephen and Kyran will be his biggest rivals.

“It’s tough because I have not seen anyone skate. I suppose Duncan and Stephen must be pretty good because they have been bands and danced before and then Kyran is a sportsman and will be naturally competitive and want to do well. So I would probably pick those three first but having not seen any of them skate it’s a bit difficult.

“Going out in the first show is what everyone dreads, I don’t want that but the last three would be great.”

Skating with Britain’s Adagio skater Frankie Poultney, Lee admits that he is very lucky as she is very small and slender, which is a benefit when doing the lifts.

“Frankie is lovely and being 5ft and 6 ½ stone, it’s ideal!”

With a fellow footballer, David Seaman almost making the final last year, did Lee ask his fellow England team mate for advice?

“I haven’t spoken to anyone, I was going to try and speak to David Seaman but I haven’t managed to and we are in the thick of it now so it’s probably a bit late – past the point of no return.

“I didn’t watch a lot of last year’s series but have seen a DVD of the first show and the last show. Obviously Gayner and Bonnie looked really good but I quite liked Andi Peters!

“Skating is miles harder. If I had known how hard it was I probably wouldn’t have done it! But
I’m starting to enjoy skating, there are something’s I’m finding a little bit easier than others but I’m enjoying the challenge of it.

“I’ve been pretty disciplined, I have not missed a session that’s been pre-planned. I struggled with the first month’s basic lesson because I was having trouble with my boots and my feet, so I think I did about twenty four hours out of the thirty in the first lot. The second lot we have cracked on with all the hours!”

And proving his dedication to the show, Lee has vowed to try and quit his favourite food…..crisps!

“I’ll have to cut down on crisps and chocolate – the crisps I’ll struggle with!”