Dancing on Ice's Rachel Stevens denies advantage from Strictly Come Dancing past

Rachel Stevens took part in Strictly Come Dancing back in 2008, coming in at an impressive second place.

But the S Club 7 singer has said that she doesn't think the dance training will help her taking part in Dancing on Ice.

She explained: "I don't actually [think I have an advantage]. It's a very different type of performance from being on stage on TV as a pop group.

"Then you add the ice element into it and it's a whole new ballgame."

She continued: "Before Strictly I'd never danced with a partner, it was always as a group and I've never had any formal dance training.

"If anything it's the opposite because people expect you to know what you are doing but I think we all start at the same place with something like this."

Rachel was highly praised during her time on Strictly, where she was partnered with professional Vincent Simone.

However, she just missed out on the top spot with Holby City star Tom Chambers winning the Glitterball.

She returned for the Christmas special in 2009, also coming in as a runner-up when Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian won.

Rachel previously said she was "terrified" to join the Dancing on Ice.

"I'm so excited – I can't wait for it all to get started," she said.

"It's such a great team of people and I love my partner Brendyn Hatfield, so it's all super-exciting but terrifying at the same time. Totally terrifying!

"I've danced and performed for years but doing it on ice means starting something totally from scratch. But I can't wait to just go for it and have fun – and I'm loving working with Brendyn. He's just adorable and such a brilliant teacher."

Dancing on Ice will return on January 16, airing on ITV.

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Catherine Earp

Catherine was Digital Spy's News Editor between 2018 and 2024. Prior to that she worked at OK! Online, and has interviewed a slew of celebrities across her career in entertainment news, including Tom Hanks, Cheryl and Noel Fielding. Catherine also has specialist knowledge in all things drag, interviewing a huge portion of RuPaul’s Drag Race stars, and getting her own drag makeover for Channel 4’s show Drag SOS.  LinkedIn