Ex-footballer Anton Ferdinand is getting ready to trade his boots for skates as he joins the 2025 lineup of Dancing on Ice.
The pundit will be gliding alongside an EastEnders legend and Olympic gold medal winner in the line-up. Here’s what we know about him.
Anton Ferdinand is a former professional footballer best known for playing centre-back at the likes of West Ham, Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers.
Born on February 18, 1985, in Peckham, his parents, Janice Lavender and Julian Ferdinand, hail from Ireland and St. Lucia.
A product of the West Ham United academy, Anton joined the club at nine years old and signed his first professional contract in 2002.
Over his career, he also played for clubs like Bursaspor, Antalyaspor, Reading, and Southend United.
He represented England at the under-21 level on the international stage before retiring in July 2019.
Post-retirement, Anton has become a familiar face in sports media, appearing on talkSPORT, Sky Sports, BT Sport, and IMG.
He also fronted the BBC One documentary Anton Ferdinand: Football, Racism, and Me.
His time at QPR saw him caught in a high-profile controversy involving alleged racist abuse from Chelsea’s John Terry, a claim Terry denied and was later cleared of in court.
Speaking about his documentary, Anton said: “I know some people don’t like the fact players and coaches take the knee but for me that’s a positive because it keeps the conversation going.
“We won’t have eradicated racism — not in our lifetime, I don’t think.
“We’re nowhere near where we want to be but there’s less racism on the streets than there used to be.
“I’d like to get to a place, in my lifetime, where racial slurs are no longer used on social media or in the stands, because people no longer feel comfortable to do it there.”
Anton is an athlete ambassador at Right To Play, an NGO whose mission is to use play to empower vulnerable children to overcome the effects of war, poverty, and disease.
In 2025, Anton is gearing up to hit the ice as a contestant on the seventeenth series of Dancing on Ice.
Anton married his other half, Lucy, in a private ceremony in 2016.
The former Sunderland star shares Flynn, 11, Lilah, 7, and Farron, 2, with his wife.
I’m in a new phase of my life since retiring from football and one of the things I’ve missed about playing is the structure it gives you.
Anton Ferdinand
Speaking about joining Dancing on Ice, he said: “I decided to sign up for the show because it’s a challenge first and foremost.
“I’m in a new phase of my life since retiring from football and one of the things I’ve missed about playing is the structure it gives you.
“Dancing On Ice will give me that focus but I’m also doing it for my daughter because she loves dance and performing arts.
“My son always had my football to shout about so this will give my daughter and me something to share.”
Anton, known for his work tackling issues of racism in football, is the seventh celebrity to be announced for the skating series by ITV.
Anton comes from a footballing family.
His older brother, Rio Ferdinand, starred for West Ham and Manchester United and even captained the England national team.
His cousin Les is a former England international, and another cousin, Kane Ferdinand, plays for Maidenhead United.
Anton showed his defensive skills early on, following in Rio’s footsteps.
In January 2006, he made history alongside his brother, becoming the first siblings to win the Premier League Player of the Month award—Rio had earned the honour before him.
Rio was one of the first to reply when Anton posted the news on social media that he was joining Dancing on Ice, telling fans: “So far out my comfort zone but I’m here for it!! Let’s gooooooooo.”
An excited Rio typed back: “Boooooom!”
