Mark Hanretty has been on the show for 12 years
Professional ice dancing star Mark Hanretty was just nine when he was inspired to take up the sport by Nottingham legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean . Now, 30 years on, he is gearing up for his final season on ITV 's Dancing on Ice after 12 years.
Training resumed this week after time off for Christmas. During the break Mark visited his parents in Scotland, while Michaela was at her step-daughter's wedding in South Africa. Mark has reached the DoI final three times, with partners Libby Clegg, former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and last year with Adele Roberts. A female competitor hasn't won since 2013 when Olympic champion gymnast Beth Tweddle took the crown with pro Daniel Whiston. "This year I said I'd skate with a man if I had any chance of winning," joked Mark.
There's extra pressure, or added motivation as Mark puts it, to reach the final on March 9, as it coincides with his daughter Liola's eighth birthday. "My daughter told me that the final this year is on her birthday so it's obviously a case that she will either celebrate her birthday with some sort of party at home or she comes to the studio. She wants to come to the studio but she told me I have to be in the final because it's her birthday.
He had lessons at the nearest ice rink, in Paisley, and competed at national level as a single skater until suffering an injury, tendonitis in his ankle. Veering towards the big 4-0 in this March has made him re-evaluate his career options and, unlike Jayne and Chris, that doesn't mean skating into his 60s. Already a commentator for the International Skating Union, where he gets to travel the world, he is hoping to do more and would love to commentate at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Instagram Talking about his profound love of skating, he said he couldn't be happier than when he's on the ice. "I was listening to some podcasts recently about finding your purpose or finding something that sets your soul on fire and I just really love ice skating, I love the gliding. Part of this podcast was talking about zen and mental clarity and they were referencing things like cooking or knitting or things that distract you from the clutter of your mind.
Christopher Dean Jayne Torvill ITV Nottinghamshire
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