Dancing on Ice's Michaela Strachan shares partner was 'extremely concerned' as she takes on new 'challenge'

Dancing on Ice has returned for its 17th series on ITV, and TV presenter Michaela Strachan has shared her concerns about participating on the show.

Best known for hosting Springwatch on BBC, Michaela admitted she signed up for the show as she's a "show girl at heart". The star added: "I love a challenge and I enjoy fitness so to focus on something that will enable me to get fitter really appeals to me."

Michaela will be partnered with professional skater Mark Hanretty who revealed that after 14 years on the ITV show, Michaela will be his last ever celebrity partner before he leaves.

Writing on Instagram, the skater posted: "Hard to believe I’m embarking on my 12th series of Dancing on Ice. I’m as excited as ever and so grateful for the chance to work on the greatest show on ice once again.

"This will be my last year as a pro skater and I’m eager to soak up every second of it!"

In 2014, Michaela participated in ITV show Splash!, a celebrity diving competition, where she lost out to Boyzone's Keith Duffy for a spot in the final with Diversity dancer Perri Kiely.

During that same year, Michaela opened up to fans about her diagnosis of breast cancer, where she made the decision to have a double mastectomy: "If it helps people I don't mind talking about it."

The wildlife expert was given this unexpected diagnosis after going for a routine mammogram, she previously shared: "The tears started to roll as my doctor tried to tell me what would happen next, but I only took in every fifth word or so."

When asked what her loved ones thought of her signing up for the show, Michaela revealed: "My partner is extremely concerned that I’m going to injure myself. The first thing we did when I was asked to do the show was watch the