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Lauren Fletcher & Maynard Manyowa

Leeds' Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson announced as Dancing On Ice 2023 contestant

A Leeds Olympian is the latest celebrity to be announced as a contestant in this year's Dancing on Ice.

Nile Wilson, who won bronze at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil announced the big news on his YouTube. The 26-year-old athlete described his involvement in ITV's icy dance contest as 'exciting'.

The series, which will be on screens in January next year, features celebrities and their professional partners figure skating in front of a panel of judges.

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Announcing his involvement, Nile Wilson said: "I'm going to be on ITV's Dancing on Ice! This is a really cool thing. I've certainly not done much ice-skating but I am so excited for the opportunity.

"I’m so excited to get into that routine and to feel like an athlete again. My biggest goal on the show is to do something that no-one has ever done before!”

Nile threw his hands in the air as he announced he's set to take part on Dancing on Ice (Nile Wilson YouTube)

Wilson joins a star studded line up, which includes Love Island winner Ekin-Su, plus football legend John Fashanu and former EastEnders actress Pasty Palmer on the hit ITV skating show.

Nile could not hide his excitement. H said: "This is a really cool thing. Obviously I've not done much television...certainly not done much ice skating," before the video cut to some hilarious clips of him struggling to keep his balance whilst practicing on the ice.

The third celebrity to be announced for the show was Love Island 2022 winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, 28. The news was announced on Wednesday's Good Morning Britain during Richard Arnold's segment.

In Nile's video he could be seen struggling to stay upright on the ice during practice (Nile Wilson YouTube)

After the presenter dropped several clues, Ekin-Su then appeared during a VT as she announced: "Hi Good Morning Britain, it’s Ekin-Su here today. I’ve got some amazing news to tell you. I will be doing this year’s Dancing On Ice! I’m so excited for the team and can’t wait to get myself on the ice and skate.

"Stay tuned and see you on the ice!"

Dancing On Ice returns to ITV and ITVX in 2023 where fans of the show will get to see eleven celebrities learn new skills on the ice as they battle it out to impress both the panel and viewers at home.

Football legend John Fashanu is taking part in DOI 2023 (ITV)

When John Fashanu, 60, was announced, he said: "I'm so excited to be a part of Dancing on Ice! I don't think it'll come as a surprise to people that I'm very competitive - I am definitely in it to win it. And this may be one of the scariest things I've ever signed up for but I couldn't be more ready for the challenge!"

Former Eastenders actress Patsy Palmer, 50, who now lives in LA, said: "Out of all the things that came through this was the one I had to really think about. Obviously I want to challenge myself, get back to work, get out of my comfort zone and I just thought I'll go for it. It seems a lot of fun and I do like ice skating though I'm not an ice skater."

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