Ricky Hatton MBE will be taking to the ice in front of a live studio audience for the first time this weekend as he prepares to take part in Dancing on Ice 2024.
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The former world champion boxer was the first celebrity to be announced for the new season, and will be skating alongside the likes of Coronation Street's Claire Sweeney, Olympian Greg Rutherford MBE and West End star Amber Davies.
Hatton exclusively told RadioTimes.com that taking part on the show is "very much" out of his comfort zone.
"I wasn't always nervous when I went to the boxing ring because I knew I could fight," he explained. "But going onto the ice rink knowing you can't ice skate, it's like I've relived all those nerves from back in the day when I was fighting."
Hatton will be dancing alongside figure skater Robin Johnstone over the course of the competition. But will Hatton have what it takes to go all the way in the competition? Only time will tell.
Keen to know more about the pro boxer? Read on for everything you need to know about the newly announced Dancing on Ice contestant Ricky Hatton ahead of the show's return.
Hatton is one of the best-known boxers in British history, having competed professionally between 1997 and 2012 - but has since worked as a trainer and boxing promoter.
In his time in the ring, Hatton went on to become a three-time light welterweight and welterweight world champion, going on to be known as 'The Hitman'.
More recently, his life outside the ring has been explored in Sky documentary Hatton, which includes unprecedented access with the boxer, as well as unseen archive footage to tell a "cautionary tale and inspirational story of a man forced to navigate a path through fragile relationships and broken dreams as he attempts to make sense of a life that appeared destined for a happy ending".
What has Ricky Hatton said about joining Dancing on Ice 2024?
As the first contestant to be announced for Dancing on Ice 2024, it's safe to say that Hatton is excited to don his skates and get going.
Announcing the news on his Twitter (which has recently rebranded as X), Hatton wrote: "So excited to be a little part of the public's lives again. Hopefully we'll have fun together and I'm relishing the challenge."
He also told ITV upon the announcement of his inclusion in the 2024 season: "I like setting new challenges and keeping myself busy!"
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Dancing on Ice starts Sunday 14th January at 6:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Want something else to watch? Check out our full TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our Entertainment hub for the latest news. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.
Katelyn Mensah is the Entertainment and Factual Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.
