Former footballer announced for Dancing On Ice

He joins Patsy Palmer on the line-up

Author: Alex RossPublished 4th Oct 2022

Former professional footballer John Fashanu has become the second celebrity announced for the 2023 series of Dancing On Ice, which is due to hit our screens in January next year.

John, who scored over 100 goals for AFC Wimbledon during his playing career, said of his upcoming appearance: “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!"

John's football career spanned over an impressive 17 years, where he played for the likes of AFC Wimbledon, Norwich City, Lincoln City, Crystal Palace, Millwall and Aston Villa.

After announcing his retirement from football in 1995, John went on to explore a career in TV, where he landed the job presenting popular entertainment show Gladiators alongside Ulrika Jonsson.

As fans will know, the BBC have confirmed plans to revive Gladiators in 2023, but it's not yet known whether John will return as a host.

Check out all of the past Dancing On Ice winners below:

Gaynor Faye - 2006

Emmerdale actress Gaynor Faye won the first ever series of Dancing On Ice alongside her professional ice skating partner Daniel Whiston, under the watchful eye of judges Robin Cousins, Karen Barber, Nicky Slater, Jason Gardiner and Karen Kresge.

Kyran Bracken - 2007

Rugby player Kyran Bracken won the show - and the hearts of viewers - in the second series. Beating Clare Buckfield in the final showdown, Kyran won with his professional partner Melanie Lambert.

Suzanne Shaw - 2008

Hear'Say singer Suzanne Shaw won the 2008 series with professional ice skater Matt Evers. Both of their final performances scored a perfect 30/30, which was the first time that had happened on the show, beating runner-up Chris Fountain.

Ray Quinn - 2009 & 2014

X Factor star-turned-Broadway star Ray Quinn won the show in 2009 alongside his professional partner Maria Filippov. The couple beat journalist Donal MacIntyre and his partner Florentine Houdinière with their final performance. He also won the returners' series in 2014.

Hayley Tamaddon - 2010

Corrie and** Emmerdale actress Hayley won with second-time winner Daniel Whiston, beating Hollyoaks star Gary Lucy to the top spot. She also made it to the final of the returners' show in 2014, finishing second to Ray Quinn.

Sam Attwater - 2011

EastEnders actor Sam Attwater won the coveted prize of first place in 2011 wth his partner Brianne Delcourt, beating TV presenter Laura Hamilton. The pair also returned for the 2014 series, but finished fourth.

Matthew Wolfenden - 2012

Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden won the 2012 series with his professional ice skating partner Nina Ulanova, beating fellow soap star Jorgie Porter to the top. This was also the year that Louie Spence joined the judging panel, if you remember...

Beth Tweddle - 2013

Olympic champion gymnast Beth Tweddle won the 2013 series alongside her partner Daniel Whiston in his THIRD win on the show. She beat EastEnders actor Matt Lapinskas and his partner Brianne Delcourt, and came third in the 2014 returners' series with Łukasz Różycki.

Jake Quickenden - 2018

Former The X Factor star Jake Quickenden was the clear winner for the revived series of Dancing On Ice in 2018, winning the show with his partner Vanessa Bauer.

James Jordan - 2019

Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan swapped the ballroom for the ice in 2019, and he showed off his amazing moves alongside skating partner Alexandra Schauman.


James beat Love Island star Wes Nelson and former X Factor contestant Saara Aalto in the final.

Joe Swash - 2020

Perhaps the most surprising result in Dancing On Ice history! Joe Swash and his pro partner Alex Murphy were crowned the 2020 winners beating Diversity star Perri Kiely in the final.

Sonny Jay - 2021

After the most chaotic series in Dancing On Ice history, which saw five celebs have to quit the show, Sonny Jay was crowned the winner ahead of Colin Jackson and Corrie actress Faye Brookes.

Regan Gascoigne - 2022

Paul Gascoigne's son Regan Gascoigne was crowned the 2022 winner of Dancing On Ice, in perhaps the most competitive final in history! Regan and his pro partner Karina Manta were up against Brendan Cole and Kimberley Wyatt in the final.

Nile Wilson - 2023

After a tense final alongside Joey Essex and The Vivienne in March 2023, gymnast Nile Wilson was crowned the 2023 winner with his professional partner Olivia Smart.

Ryan Thomas - 2024

Former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas and his partner Amani Fancy were crowned the winners of series 16 during the final on Sunday 10th March 2024. Ryan received the most public votes during a tense final with Miles Nazaire and Vanessa Bauer and Adele Roberts and Mark Hanretty.




John joins former EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer in the line-up, with the 50-year-old announcing this week: “I wanted to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone. I thought ‘I’ll just go for it’ and it seems like a lot of fun.”

Patsy added: “My pact that I made with myself when I was 50 was I have to do things to challenge myself for the next couple of years. This is for all the 50 year-olds out there that think they can’t challenge themselves!”

Now that John and Patsy have been announced, more famous faces are expected in the coming days.

Dancing On Ice will return in January 2023 with hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.

Now read:

Everything you need to know about Dancing On Ice 2023

Dancing On Ice: A recap of the 2022 series

Dancing On Ice stars who found love on the ice rink

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