Maura Higgins responds to rumours she 'REPLACED' Amber Gill on Dancing On Ice
Maura has been confirmed for the show!
Now that all 12 celebrities have been announced, excitement for the 2020 series of Dancing On Ice is heating up, with training set to begin this week!
Despite fans setting up an online petition to get her on I'm A Celebrity, Love Island 2019 favourite Maura Higgins has been confirmed for the popular ice-skating show, but not without a bit of drama!
Before Maura was officially confirmed by bosses, rumours were rife that Queen of the Villa Amber Gill would actually be taking part in the 2020 series, leaving fans thinking Maura was 'chosen over' the Geordie star.
Now, Irish beauty Maura has cleared up the confusion, telling The Mirror, "I mean, I know a lot of people went for castings for the show, but I was lucky enough to get it."
It comes after Amber broke her silence on the matter last week, saying, "I didn't realise I had a place to lose, to be honest," she said. "I think a few Islanders from this series went to ITV and had a chat about Dancing On Ice, but it's a super-huge commitment and I went away from that meeting thinking it was probably a bit much, training constantly.
"I went to see them, though, because I think you have got to find out what something is before you just say a flat-out no."
Meanwhile, Maura joins the star-studded line-up alongside the likes of H from Steps, Michael Barrymore and Coronation Street actress Lisa George.
Speaking about her upcoming stint on the show, Maura said, "I've skated once in my life for fun, so I've no experience at all. I'm up for the challenge. I'm more excited than scared. I'm competitive so I think that will drive me."
Check out the full Dancing On Ice line-up:
Dancing On Ice 2020: Meet the cast
Perri Kiely
Diversity dancer Perri Kiely reunited with his dance-mate Ashely Banjo for Dancing On Ice 2020! He said, "I'm not going to lie, I'm a little bit nervous. I've had a couple of training sessions so far and I'm not going to lie, it's hard. I can stand up on ice and skate about a bit, but technique, it's difficult!"
Of normally being the one to get thrown into the air, Perri said, "Role reversal! I'm pretty sure my job title was to get thrown about. I would love to back flip on ice, imagine how sick that would be! But I said I was going to get on the ice and spin and flip and do this, but I turned up to that first training session and I just wanted to put one foot in front of the other and make sure I don't fall over."
Perri Kiely is paired with Vanessa Bauer
Libby Clegg MBE
Paralympic sprinter Libby Clegg was the eighth confirmed contestant on Dancing On Ice! Confirming the news on Victoria Derbyshire, she said, "After Rio I achieved my ultimate goal and then I thought 'what else can I do?' This opportunity came about and I couldn't pass it up. I love challenging myself and experiencing new things."
Libby Clegg is paired with Mark Hanretty
Joe Swash
Former soap star and King of the Jungle Joe Swash was the ninth celeb to be announced for Dancing On Ice! Confirming the news on Loose Women, Joe said, "I can't even dance on a dance floor so Dancing on Ice is just a silly idea! I've done no exercise since the baby was born. Stacey thinks it's funny. I'm going to learn how to skate and I'll do it with a smile on my face."
Joe Swash is paired with Alexandra Schauman
Although Joe was originally paired with Alexandra Schauman, a nasty injury meant she could no longer continue, meaning Alex Murphy stepped in!
Trisha Goddard
Queen of Daytime TV Trisha Goddard was the first celeb to leave the show! After falling over in her routine, Trisha lost out i the skate-off to newsreader Lucrezia Millarini.
Trisha Goddard is paired with Łukasz Różycki
Lucrezia Millarini
ITV News presenter Lucrezia Millarini was eliminated from the show in Week 3, losing out in the skate-off to former footballer Kevin Kilbane.
Lucrezia Millarini is paired with Brendyn Hatfield
Radzi Chinyanganya
TV presenter Radzi Chinyanganya was drafted in as Michael Barrymore's replacement, but he failed to impress viewers and was eliminated from the show in week 4.
Radzi Chinyanganya is paired with Jessica Hatfield
Kevin Kilbane
Former footballer Kevin Kilbane lost his place on the show in Week 5! But it isn't all bad news... Kevin confirmed he is now dating his skating partner Brianne Delcourt after they met on the show!
Kevin Kilbane is paired with Brianne Delcourt
Caprice
Caprice chose to quit the show in Week 5 after previously parting ways with her partner Hamash Gaman.
Caprice is paired with Hamish Gaman
Ian 'H' Watkins
Steps singer Ian 'H' Watkins and his professional partner Matt Evers were eliminated from the competition in Week 6, following a skate-off with comedian Ben Hanlin.
Ian 'H' Watkins is paired with Matt Evers
Maura Higgins
Love Island star Maura Higgins left the competition in Week 7 after losing out in the skate-off to Libby Clegg.
Maura Higgins is paired with Alexander Demetriou
Lisa George
Coronation Street actress Lisa George lost her place on the show in Week 8, losing out in the skate-off to Libby Clegg.
Lisa George is paired with Tom Naylor
Ben Hanlin is paired with Carlotta Edwards
Ben Hamlin
Magician Ben Hanlin lost his place on the show in the semi-final, losing out in the skate-off to Libby Clegg.
Dancing On Ice returns to ITV with hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield in January 2020.
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