Nottingham ice-skating legends Torvill and Dean shared their expert views about this year's contestant on ITV's Dancing on Ice this morning (Wednesday, January 12).
The Olympic pair are judges on ITV show, which starts this Sunday, and revealed to Lorraine Kelly on her morning programme that they had already earmarked "at least" six potential winners.
The new series starts on Sunday, January 16, at 6.30.
Jayne said that "based on the masterclass back in October", the standards were high but six contestants stood out.
Even at this very early stage, Christopher Dean added that it could be a "neck and neck race".
The former British, European, Olympic and World champions from Nottingham were speaking on ITVs Lorraine.
Christopher Dean added that while the dancers have the advantage at this stage "they've got to master skating to begin with... A lot of them think well I can dance, but the minute they put the skates on, it's a real leveller."
This year's contestants include Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, Connor Ball from the Vamps, Strictly star Brendan Cole, rugby's Ben Foden, Love Island's Liberty Poole, and Bez from Happy Mondays.
In what became a Nottingham talent centric show, Lorraine also interview Hollywood actress Samantha Morton who was talking about her latest film 'Save the Cinema'. The Clifton born actress said she was "excited!" to hear that Torvill and Dean were also on the show adding: "because I’m a Nottingham girl".
Sharing further insights into the ice skating show, the skating duo revealed that they would be meeting new judge and Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse later in the day, while Jayne Torvill shared what it was like to perform while being filmed by a drone - a technique which is a first for the show.
She said: "The first day of rehearsals for that was a little bit scary because you’ve got this little thing coming towards you and your reaction is to move out the way. You have to have faith that they’re not going to hit you."
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