TOWIE’s Gemma Collins’s fluctuating weight has been well documented, but this week she took the red carpet to show off the results of just 10 days training for Dancing on Ice
Reality star Gemma collins is all set to take part in the hotly anticipated return of the ice skating show, the training for which is notoriously grueling. Due to return to our screens in January, contestants have already begun work on learning the basics and choreographing the routines.
Appearing on the red carpet at the Pride of Britain awards this week, Gemma wore a slinky red wrap dress and matching lipstick, accessorized with bronze heels and a matching bronze clutch.
"This dress I'm wearing is a size 24 but it's too big," she told New! Magazine. "I should be wearing a 22. So there's no doubt that between now and January I'm going to [lose weight]," she continued, revealing she’s already dropped a dress size.
CHECK OUT: The FULL Dancing on Ice 2019 line up
Dancing On Ice 2019 line up - slider
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Wes Nelson - CONFIRMED
Wes Nelson made it to the final of Love Island this year with his girlfriend, Megan Barton. The Love Island hottie wasn't shy about showing off his dance moves in the villa, so it comes as no surprise that he impressed Dancing On Ice judges in a recent audition.He confirmed he's taking part in the ITV show on Radio 1, he admitted: "Gemma Collins is going to wipe the floor with me, I'm super intimidated. ""I've been looking at the line up thinking 'oh my gosh!' Of course you'll be seeing my hips on the ice and the hips don't lie!"
Saira Khan - CONFIRMED
Loose Women star Saira Khan will be joining next year's cast.She said on Loose Women: "I'm in it to win it! I thought 'I'm too old, I can't do it, I'm going to fall.' And my little boy said, 'Have you heard yourself mum?' He shamed me into it. I'm doing this for my kids. Honestly I cannot skate. I've never been on ice skates."
James Jordan - CONFIRMED
Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan is swapping the ballroom for the ice rink! Confirming the news, he said on BBC Radio Five Live Breakfast: "I can dance but I'm a lot older than I used to be."People are going to probably say I've got an unfair advantage but when I got on the ice I actually shocked myself how bad I was. I want to be able to impress Torvill and Dean more than anyone else, but I'm a lot worse than I thought I'd be."
Brian McFadden - CONFIRMED
Former Westlife singer Brian McFadden has also signed up for the show! On Lorraine, he said: "I'm very excited. I've already been practising out the back garden on my rollerblades and my mum says I'm a one man Torvill and Dean."
Jane Danson - CONFIRMED
Jane Danson, who plays Coronation Street legend Leanne Battersby, is swapping the cobbles for the ice rink. She confirmed the news on Loose Women: "I've got a big birthday next month so I'm seeing it as a challenge for the fab 40. "I'm just looking forward to it and trying not to think about being damaged. It's been a bit of a life long dream."
Gemma Collins - CONFIRMED
It's official, theGC will take part in Dancing On Ice 2019. Speaking on This Morning, she said: "I know how hard it is."I've done my research, Phil – I am scared, I am nervous, I don't know how they're going to lift me up and how fast I can move around the ice, but I really want to give it a go."We can't wait to see what the TOWIE diva has in store!
Richard Blackwood - CONFIRMED
Former EastEnders actor, Richard Blackwood has signed the dotted line to take part in series 11 of Dancing On Ice. The news was confirmed on This Morning and he admitted: "I grew up in Sweden, so I used to skate out there."I can skate, but I normally dance on dry land. So dancing and skating are two different things, which I've got to combine."I'm training because I know they're going to put me in some tight stuff. There's going to be a lot of shape. I'm training from now!"However fans already guessed he'd be taking part after Dancing on Ice bosses accidentally confirmed the news by sharing a video of him which included his infamous tattoos.
Melody Thornton - CONFIRMED
Pussycat Dolls member Melody Thornton confirmed she's taking part in the ITV show on Good Morning Britain, she said: "Hi guys, it's Melody Thornton from Pussycat Dolls. And I guess the cat's out of the bag. I'm so excited."I'm going to be on the 2019 cast of Dancing On Ice. I can't wait to see you and I can't wait to do some skating for you! Love you."
Ryan Sidebottom - CONFIRMED
Cricketer Ryan Sidebottom also confirmed he'll be on Dancing on Ice in 2019, he said on Talksport Radio: "I'm immensely excited."It's obviously something totally different, massively out of my comfort zone. I'm just going to enjoy the ride, I don't take myself too seriously."I'm going to embrace it, enjoy it, and have a laugh and a giggle along the way."
Saara Alto - CONFIRMED
X Factor star Saara Alto confirmed on heat! radio that she'll be on Dancing on Ice next year. She admitted: "I'm super excited about this, I love new challenges and I'm very ambitious."I can be very competitive, but I mainly want to challenge myself. I'll be saying to myself 'Saara, you need to push yourself more!' I am so ready for this and I can't wait to get on the ice."
Didi Conn - CONFIRMED
Didi Conn, who is known for her infamous role as Frenchie in Grease, announced she's on the line-up in a message on Lorraine. She said: "Boy oh boy, I'm going from being a Pink Lady to Queen of the Ice. I'm coming to the UK on Monday and I can't wait to see you!"
Lucy Fallon
After receiving encouragement from former finalist, Brooke Vincent, Lucy Fallon may have been convinced to get her skates on next year. The Coronation Street actress has been open about her love for Pole Fitness, maybe her raunchy dancing background would make for some of the most interesting moves the ice-rink has seen yet!
Rylan Clark-Neal
Since his famous sobbing scenes on the The X Factor in 2012, it seems TV presenter, Rylan Clark could be putting his dancing shoes back on again. Dancing On Ice presenter, Phillip Schofield admitted he's been "hounding" Rylan to take part in the dancing competition. "He's a really good skater and he's such a great guy," the host explained. "He'd be about 20 foot tall but he'd be brilliant and so funny."
Chloe Ferry
Former Geordie Shore star, Chloe Ferry fueled rumours of becoming a Dancing On Ice member on Twitter. Chloe liked a tweet that stated, 'Get @Chloe_GShore on @dancingonice too.' Before becoming a reality TV star and taking part in CBB, Chloe was a champion ice skater. She began at the age of seven and competed recieved numerous medals for her skating achievements.
Nicola Sturgeon
Politicians like dancing too! Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of the Scottish National Party has spoken openly about how Dancing on Ice is the one reality TV show she would ever do. We can't wait to see what sparkly number this fashionable politician dresses up in!
Dancing On Ice 2019 line up - stacked
Wes Nelson
Wes Nelson made it to the final of Love Island this year with his girlfriend, Megan Barton. The Love Island hottie wasn't shy about showing off his dance moves in the villa, so it comes as no surprise that he impressed Dancing on Ice judges during his audition.He confirmed he was taking part in the ITV show on Radio 1, admitting: "Gemma Collins is going to wipe the floor with me, I'm super intimidated. "I've been looking at the line up thinking 'oh my gosh!' Of course you'll be seeing my hips on the ice and the hips don't lie!"
Saira Khan
Loose Women star Saira Khan has joined this year's cast.She said on Loose Women: "I'm in it to win it! I thought 'I'm too old, I can't do it, I'm going to fall.' And my little boy said, 'Have you heard yourself mum?' He shamed me into it. I'm doing this for my kids. Honestly I cannot skate. I've never been on ice skates."
James Jordan
Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan is swapping the ballroom for the ice rink! Confirming the news, he said on BBC Radio Five Live Breakfast: "I can dance but I'm a lot older than I used to be."People are going to probably say I've got an unfair advantage but when I got on the ice I actually shocked myself how bad I was. I want to be able to impress Torvill and Dean more than anyone else, but I'm a lot worse than I thought I'd be."
Brian McFadden
Former Westlife singer Brian McFadden signed up for the show! On Lorraine, he said: "I'm very excited. I've already been practising out the back garden on my rollerblades and my mum says I'm a one man Torvill and Dean."
Jane Danson
Jane Danson, who plays Coronation Street legend Leanne Battersby, is swapping the cobbles for the ice rink. She confirmed the news on Loose Women: "I've got a big birthday next month so I'm seeing it as a challenge for the fab 40. "I'm just looking forward to it and trying not to think about being damaged. It's been a bit of a life long dream."
Gemma Collins
The GC is part of the Dancing On Ice 2019 line-up. Speaking on This Morning, she said: "I know how hard it is."I've done my research, Phil – I am scared, I am nervous, I don't know how they're going to lift me up and how fast I can move around the ice, but I really want to give it a go."
Richard Blackwood
Former EastEnders actor,Richard Blackwood signed on the dotted line to take part in series 11 of Dancing On Ice. The news was confirmed on This Morning and he admitted: "I grew up in Sweden, so I used to skate out there."I can skate, but I normally dance on dry land. So dancing and skating are two different things, which I've got to combine."I'm training because I know they're going to put me in some tight stuff. There's going to be a lot of shape. I'm training from now!"However fans guessed early that he'd be taking part after Dancing on Ice bosses accidentally confirmed the news by sharing a video of him which included his infamous tattoos.
Melody Thornton
Pussycat Dolls member Melody Thornton confirmed she was taking part in the ITV show on Good Morning Britain, when she said: "Hi guys, it's Melody Thornton from Pussycat Dolls. And I guess the cat's out of the bag. I'm so excited."I'm going to be on the 2019 cast of Dancing On Ice. I can't wait to see you and I can't wait to do some skating for you! Love you."
Ryan Sidebottom
Cricketer Ryan Sidebottom joins the Dancing on Ice in 2019 line-up, he said on Talksport Radio: "I'm immensely excited."It's obviously something totally different, massively out of my comfort zone. I'm just going to enjoy the ride, I don't take myself too seriously."I'm going to embrace it, enjoy it, and have a laugh and a giggle along the way."
Saara Alto
X Factor star Saara Alto confirmed she would join the show on heat! radio. She admitted: "I'm super excited about this, I love new challenges and I'm very ambitious."I can be very competitive, but I mainly want to challenge myself. I'll be saying to myself 'Saara, you need to push yourself more!' I am so ready for this and I can't wait to get on the ice."
Didi Conn
Didi Conn, who is known for her infamous role as Frenchie in Grease, announced she would take part via a message on Lorraine. She said: "Boy oh boy, I'm going from being a Pink Lady to Queen of the Ice. I'm coming to the UK on Monday and I can't wait to see you!"
Mark Little
Australian actor Mark Little played Joe Mangel between 1988 and 1991 on hit show Neighbours. He said about the ITV show: "How exciting this is! My skating is pretty rickety. I'll be trying to find the elegance, the strength, the smoothness. I'm a bit of a danger man, a bit of a risk taker, and I do like dancing so let's see what happens."
But despite the intense training, Gemma says she’s having the time of her life – the weight loss is just a happy side effect.
WATCH: Dancing on Ice's Torvill and Dean answer our quick fire questions
"I'm really enjoying it, it's two hours' training a day and despite what everyone is saying I'm having fun," she said.
"It is a challenge. I was flexible to start with, I'm so flexible already just by doing my 30 hours and next week I meet the pros so I'll get to know who my partner is."
The Towie star recently said that she hopes her Dancing on Ice experience will kick-start her fitness journey, after she and boyfriend James ‘Arg’ Argent gained some weight over the summer, following Arg’s dramatic weight loss last year.
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"I think if you can dance in your head you can dance on the ice and we all know that I think I'm Beyonce behind the scenes so yes, I'm going to be fine," she joked.