Jane Danson has revealed she’s doing Dancing On Ice 2019 to escape her comfort zone after spending two decades on Coronation Street.
Millions know Jane for playing Leanne Battersby on the long-running ITV soap, which she first joined in 1997.
She left three years later before returning in 2004, and other than two spells of maternity leave, she’s been on the cobbles ever since.
So when bosses invited Jane to join Dancing On Ice, she jumped at the chance for a fresh challenge.
“I’m getting really out of my comfort zone, I’ve never done anything like this before,” Jane commented.
“When you’ve been in the same job for a long time you get kind of cosy. You know it so well and you know your environment.
“This is completely ripping me out of that world and putting me in to a world that is completely alien.
“I’m just looking forward to embracing new challenges and seeing if I can test myself a little bit now that I’m a big grown-up!”
Jane has been getting tips from Corrie stars who have previously graced the rink, including Samia Longchambon and Brooke Vincent.
Her professional partner happens to be Samia’s husband, Sylvain Longchambon.
“Samia, who had an amazing experience and she is one of my dearest friends, she just said, ‘you’ll come out of it feeling so good about yourself’,” Jane revealed.
“Samia’s told me all about it, like training, she’s told me it’s hard and it’s a lot of work. Brooke has as well.
“They’re both really excited for me, having done it themselves.”
As for her biggest fear on the ice, Jane will be trying her best not to take a tumble.
“I’m trying not to think about that side of things too much,” she commented.
“I think it’s the thing of being prepared and not forgetting your moves and hoping you stay on the ice and don’t fall over.”
Jane is one of six celebrities who will take to the ice in the launch episode of the new series.
Joining her are Grease legend Didi Conn, reality favourite Gemma Collins and former Strictly pro James Jordan.
They’re also up against ex-Neighbours actor Mark Little and X Factor runner-up Saara Aalto.
The remaining six celebrities will perform for the first time in week two.
Dancing On Ice returns to ITV on Sunday 6th January at 6.00pm.
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