Dancing on Ice: where are the past winners now?

The return of ITV’s Dancing On Ice earlier this month has brought back fond memories of previous contestants who showed off unexpected skating skills.

Described by Digital Spy as “one of the hardest reality shows out there”, the series sees celebrities take to the ice to perform elaborate and complex dance routines.

Two of the 12 contestants battling to win this year’s crown have already been booted off. Former Neighbours star Mark Little and his skating partner Brianne Delcourt lost the first skate-off of series 11.

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They were followed out the door a week later by comedian Richard Blackwood and and Carlotta Edwards, whose Jersey Boys performance failed to impress the judges.

Here we look at what happened to some of the contestants who did survive to claim gold:

Series one: Gaynor Faye (2006)

During the first series of the show, contestant Bonnie Langford “appeared to be the star to beat throughout”, regularly getting the highest scores from the judges, says Digital Spy.

“But it was soap star Gaynor Faye that won the hearts of viewers in the end to be crowned the winner in the final,” the site adds. The actor, who played Judy Mallett in Coronation Street from 1995 until 1999, has starred as Megan Macey in Emmerdale since 2012.

Series two: Kyran Bracken (2007)

In the second series of the show, rugby player Kyran Bracken “surprised everyone by showing a stunning ability on the ice”, The Sun says.

During his journey to victory, he saw off competition from Boyzone’s Stephen Gately, Blue singer Duncan James, Steps star Lisa Scott-Lee and actor Clare Buckfield. Bracken is now the director of a timber-frame specialist company.

Series three: Suzanne Shaw (2008)

The former Hear’Say singer beat Coronation Street and Hollyoaks star Chris Fountain in the final to be crowned winner in 2008. Shaw won acclaim with daring routines involving complicated footwork and the “headbanger” trick, technically known as the Bounce Spin.

Following her victory, she joined the West End cast of Chicago, toured in The Vagina Monologues and appeared on Emmerdale. Most recently she starred in pantomime Dick Whittington in Southampton.

Series four: Ray Quinn (2009)

Former Brookside actor Quinn topped the Dancing on Ice leader board every week on his way to gold.

Quinn has developed something of a reputation for reality TV success: he was runner-up in the 2006 series of The X Factor, and went on to win ITV talent show Get Your Act Together in 2015.

He also claimed victory in 2014 in Dancing on Ice Champion of Champions, contested between past winners and fan favourites.

Quinn is currently starring in the UK tour of The Wedding Singer.

Series five: Hayley Tamaddon (2010)

Tamaddon was crowned champion in 2010 after being paired up with childhood friend Daniel Whiston.

The Former Emmerdale star saw off strong competition from rivals including footballer Kieron Richardson and Hollyoaks actor Gary Lucy. She also made it to the final of the all-star version of the competition alongside Whiston in 2014.

Series six: Sam Attwater (2011)

The former EastEnders actor claimed victory with partner Brianne Delcourt in 2011, racking up the highest score average overall for the series and beating the likes of Chloe Madeley and Laura Hamilton. Attwater has since appeared in several musicals, including The Rocky Horror Show and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Over the past year, he has been taking part in multiple sport events and performances for charity.

Series seven: Matthew Wolfenden (2012)

Wolfenden was crowned victor of the 2012 series with skate partner Nina Ulanova, beating fellow soap actor Jorgie Porter to the top prize. After his appearance on the show, he returned to his role as as David Metcalfe on Emmerdale.

Series eight: Beth Tweddle (2013)

After winning Dancing on Ice in 2013, the Olympic gymnast went on to star on Channel 4’s ski-themed reality show The Jump in 2016 but suffered a back injury that forced her to quit the competition.

The celebrity “had to undergo neck surgery to fuse her vertebrae together in order to recover”, says Hello! magazine.

Series nine: Ray Quinn (2014)

Five years after his first triumph, Quinn became the first person to win two series of the show after taking part in the all-stars version.

Series ten: Jake Quickenden (2018)

After a four-year break, Dancing on Ice returned to our screens for a series that saw former X Factor contestant Jake Quickenden and partner Vanessa Bauer beat actor Brooke Vincent and rugby player Max Evans to the top spot.

In an action-packed final, the pair “won over fans and the judges with a series of stunning routines”, The Sun says.