Claire Sweeney's touching reason she's excited to be joining Dancing on Ice 2024

Claire Sweeney has explained how joining the next series of Dancing on Ice will make a Christmas tradition even more special. The actress was revealed as the second contestant to take part in the 2024 series of the show, along with boxer Ricky Hatton.

But the actress said that learning to skate will make ice skating with her son at Christmas even more fun. She explained the tradition while appearing on This Morning after hosts Ben Shephard and Holly Willoughby.

"I'm excited and scared," Sweeney said. "Do you know what I'm most looking forward to? At Christmas, I always go to Somerset House or the National History Museum. They have the ice rink and I always take my son and we always go on those penguins around the ice. I am thinking to be able to skate with my son at Christmas will be amazing."

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Sweeney is one of a number of Dancing on Ice contestants who come to the competition with past dancing experience having performed on stage in shows such as Chicago. But despite her dancing skills, she said she will be starting "at the bottom" when it comes to Dancing on Ice.

Holly Willoughby even went as far as to say that Sweeney's dancing experience could hold her back, as the footwork is completely different. But Sweeney admitted that there was one move she was particularly scared to perform.

"Do you remember Bonnie Langford?" she asked the hosts. "When she did the headbanger? That scared me a little bit."

When asked if she would consider trying it, she replied. "The headbanger? That does terrify me."

Until the official announcement, the