Ice to see you | Celebs to star in next Dancing Ice include ROXANNE PALLETT, JENNIFER METCALFE, MELINDA MESSENGER

Top left to bottom: Ray, Todd, Melinda, Roxanne, Ellery & Jeremy

By Tom Latchem, 07/12/2008

MEET the spin crowd- the complete line-up of stars who will be competing in Dancing On Ice 2009.

The great and the good from TV, music and sport didn't think tw-ice when they were asked to get their skates on and kick up a stink on the rink in ITV1's coolest January show.

And because we NEVER let the slide down, the News of the World has the names of all 12 skaters and the one standby chosen for the new series.

Last year's winner was former Hear'Say babe Suzanne Shaw. And the babes who hope to follow in his footsteps this year are: Emmerdale stunner ROXANNE PALLETT, 25; Hollyoaks star JENNIFER METCALFE, 24; model and presenter MELINDA MESSENGER, 37; Enders girl GEMMA BISSIX, 25 (pictured above); former Blue Peter presenter ZOE SALMON, 28 (pictured above) and Liberty X singer JESSICA TAYLOR, 28 (pictured above).

Left to right: Mike, Jen, Dan

And the babes who'll be hoping to put the skids under the blokes are: EastEnders legend TODD CARTY, 45; soccer pundit GRAEME LE SAUX, 40 (pictured above); Holby City heart-throb JEREMY EDWARDS, 37; X Factor runner-up RAY QUINN, 20; Toploader guitarist DAN HIPGRAVE, 33; Rugby League legend ELLERY HANLEY, 47; and kids' TV presenter MICHAEL UNDERWOOD, 33. Michael is being given a second go after a broken ankle forced him out of last year's show.

It hasn't been announced yet which of the 13 is the standby. An ITV insider said: "We think the stars we have secured for this series will make it the best ever.

"It's really not difficult getting people to sign up-in fact, we've had to say no to a lot of lesser lights.

Issues

"The only issue is whether the contestants can fit training into their packed schedules - but they always seem to manage and absolutely love doing it."

The celebs are paired with pro ice dancers and coached by champs Jane Torville and Christopher Dean to perform weekly routines. They will then be judged by an "Ice Panel" of experts and the public, with one celeb voted off every week.

Holly Willoughby will return with co-presenter Phillip Schofield even though she is pregnant. Our insider added: "There are some good-looking blokes for the ladies watching and every single one of the women is gorgeous, which should get the men tuning in.

"And an awful lot of this year's contestants have previous dancing experience-which always helps make it a better spectacle."

Big-hearted show bosses were happy to give Michael another chance. The insider said: "It was only fair - he was so disappointed last year when he broke his ankle. He looked promising and reckons this could be his year."

Your comments

This article has 15 comments

Honestly, how can you compare the talent of people learning to ice skate and perform on ice with all the danger involved to people swanning about on a dance floor? Ya nuts, I tell you.. NUTS!

By Mrs F.. Posted December 16 2008 at 11:34 PM.

I have been skating for 38 years.

I saw Todd at our local rink on Saturday (South West of England); 1/3 of the ice pad had been reserved so that he could practice.

He looked very shaky but everyone here agrees that it's great that he and the others are lifting the profile of our sport.

By Dick.. Posted December 11 2008 at 3:33 PM.

It won't be as good as last year simply because Chris Fountain isn't on it, but i love the tricks and moves they always impress us with, definitely worth a watch!

By Emma.. Posted December 9 2008 at 11:27 AM.

If you are so bored by it why are you wasting time reading. Sod off and leave DOI to those of us who enjoy thrilling, fun Saturday night entertainment.

By Kirsty.. Posted December 8 2008 at 7:15 PM.

Its not as good as Strictly and never will be
By Shannon. Posted December 7 2008 at 12:58 PM.

I totally DISagree Shannon. DOI is far better than Strictly will ever be and Jayne and Chris are the best. What a privilege to have them back on our screens.

By Sarah Thomas.. Posted December 7 2008 at 8:51 PM.

Brilliant I can't wait.
Can I just add that the paper said that Chris Fountain was the winner last year but he actually came runner up to that lady I think it was suzanne or someone?
Oh and to the other comments:You don't have to be dumb to watch these things ,it's just a bit of down time from busy lives,yes?

By Jessie B.. Posted December 7 2008 at 8:47 PM.

i love dancing on ice i have watched every series i think this 4th series will b the best its got some good celebrities init this year ive heard of them all

By mj.. Posted December 7 2008 at 6:32 PM.

Love the series every time and im sure this one wont disappoint!!

Oh and Stricktly bores me to tears... its a matter of personal preference, no need for such negativety!!

By Joanne.. Posted December 7 2008 at 4:31 PM.

If u ask me its the usual HAS BEENS wanting to be in todays WANNABEES LIMELIGHT Bit like the presenter PHILLIP SCHOFIELD Who seems to be on TV CONSTANTLEY

By Diane.. Posted December 7 2008 at 2:46 PM.

Its not as good as Strictly and never will be

By Shannon.. Posted December 7 2008 at 12:58 PM.

I love Ray Quinn so, I am looking forward to watch this program. GREAT!!!

By alma.. Posted December 7 2008 at 11:05 AM.

if you don't like it dont watch !!

By kate.. Posted December 7 2008 at 10:04 AM.

well i can see this programme is going to be very exciting yawn yawn yawn

By carlton queen.. Posted December 7 2008 at 9:13 AM.

What an absolute load of trash! All this rubbish TV has gone far beyond a joke and is an insult to intelligence!

By Gordon Warrender.. Posted December 7 2008 at 7:49 AM.

It will be great to see Tucker from Grange Hill (Todd Carty) doing some ice skating.

By scrumbow.. Posted December 7 2008 at 12:07 AM.

We have to check every comment before we can allow it to be published. But don't worry, we've got a team on it 24/7 - so check back soon! Please note that we cannot publish all comments received. The editor's decision is final. Please note that your email address will not be displayed next to your comment.