Whatever happens this weekend, Angela Egan is Scotland’s new ice queen.
But the 34-year-old from Greenock is already thinking about going back to her pandemic job at Amazon even if she and celeb partner Sonny Jay win Dancing on Ice on Sunday.
The pro skater, whose long career with Disney On Ice stopped last year because of the worldwide shutdown, was organising the online shopping warehouse and living back home at her parents’ when she was chosen to skate in this year’s Dancing On Ice.
Angela said: “I am already thinking about going back to Amazon.
“There’s no jobs skating-wise. It’s hard for European skaters to be cast anywhere because of restrictions. I will take a few weeks off and have a think.
“I’m really good friends with my boss at Amazon and he left the door open and said I could go back if I wanted to.”
If the ice rinks open, Angela will try coaching. Most haven’t been open since February or March last year and while Angela will have inspired young Scots to pull on skates, she is worried.
She said: “We are losing a generation of young skaters. If anything comes out of me being on this show I hope it’s people realising figure skating is an important sport and can take people places and it should be a priority to get children skating again.”
For now, Angela is concentrating on making sure she and Sonny bring their A-game to the final, hosted by Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, as they skate against celebs Faye Brookes and Colin Jackson.
But Angela is already a winner. In her debut year, she’s the last female pro skater standing. She is the most successful Scots woman the show has had since it began in 2006.
Last year, pro skater Mark Hanretty came third with paralympian Libby Clegg and former Scotland rugby player Max Evans came third in 2018.
Angela said: “I’m still coming to terms with being in the final in my first year. But I’m super excited to be here.”
It’s been an odd year to join the show because of Covid and the restrictions on the celebs and skaters, from distancing to doing their own tans.
Some fans have claimed the series – the 13th – is cursed because five celebs quit during the run.
Denise van Outen, Billie Shepherd and Jason Donovan all left after injuries. Rufus Hound and Joe-Warren Plant withdrew after catching Covid.
And after pro-skater Hamish Gaman was injured, Matt Evers, who had partnered Denise, then partnered Faye.
For the first time, the series took a week off as the injuries built up and the final has been brought forward.
Angela brushes away claims of a curse. She said: “I’m not a superstitious person. It’s just been bad luck.”
The pandemic has also meant no audience, family and friends for the skaters to cheer them on and offer them support.
Angela, who for the past 10 years hasn’t had a home base because her job with Disney took her around the world, moved from the childhood bedroom she’d returned to before last year’s first lockdown to London in October to start training with Sonny.
She moved just before Christmas to Hemel Hempstead to be closer to the show’s studio but her boyfriend, Cody Rowekamp, a fellow pro skater and her partner on Disney on Ice, had to go back to the US in January for work.
Angela said: “It’s been hard not to have anyone in the audience each week. But my mum Irene is on the phone constantly and every Sunday after the show phones me up to make sure I’m in a good place.
“My dad, Frank, paces the living room watching the television. Cody manages to watch the show from America in breaks between Disney shows but it’s difficult because of the time difference.”
Angela is hoping she’ll be invited back next year. She said: “I’d be back in a heartbeat.”
But first there’s a final to win. The three celebs and their partners will perform their favourite skate of the series and a showcase skate choreographed by Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
One will be eliminated then the final two will recreate in their own style the duo’s famous Bolero routine which won them gold in the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Angela said: “I’ve never done the Bolero before so it’s as exciting for me as it is for Sonny. A real dream come true and an absolute honour to share the ice with them on Monday during training.”
Angela and Sonny will recreate their Valentine’s Day skate dressed as Popeye and Olive to Wellerman by Scot Nathan Evans, which took them to the top of the leaderboard with the first 9s of the series.
Sonny, who has been continuing on Capital’s breakfast show thoughout, has upped his training every day from two hours to three or four hours.
In normal years there would be other professional trainers to help show the celebs how to lift but distance restrictions have meant Angela has had to do it.
She said: “I was literally putting my life in someone’s hands who was a beginner skater.”
They had some bumps but they are now three skates from the title. The judges – Torvill, Dean, Ashley Banjo and John Barrowman – will give their opinions but it’s now up to viewers to vote.
Angela said: “Please Scotland, get voting.”
● The Dancing On Ice final is on Sunday at 6pm on STV.
Angela gives her thoughts on Sonny’s celeb rivals…
- Faye Brookes, who is partnered with Matt Evers
“She is an inspiration. She had to switch partners halfway through the competition and she didn’t back down she just went for it. I think she’s an absolute
rock star.”
- Colin Jackson, who is partnered with Klabera Komini
“He is always happy. He is always smiling and always positive and even through this Covid year when things have been a bit rough, he’s been the one that goes, “Come on guys, let’s get through it.”
