DANCING On Ice has been engulfed in a new backstage feud over one skater being ‘too good’.
A fresh wave of competition has stirred up tensions among the cast, with Towie star Ferne McCann, 34, at the center of it all.
According to insiders, Ferne’s impressive skating skills have set the stage for an early rivalry, months before the show officially returns.
The drama began when Ferne shared a video of herself gliding effortlessly across the ice on Instagram, catching her fellow contestants by surprise.
A source told The Sun: “Ferne posted a video of herself skating on Instagram and it’s really unsettled a lot of the other cast.
“They had no idea how good she was and after seeing the footage, it’s pretty clear she is going to be the frontrunner.
“It’s all got really competitive already and the show doesn’t kick off for two more months.”
Ferne revealed in a recent Instagram post that she will be taught by Brendyn Hatfield.
The TV personality raved about the pair under a photo of the two skating.
She wrote on the platform: “The news is in! I’ve met my Dancing On Ice partner and it is……BRENDYN!
“While he defo has his work cut out (sorry Brendyn!) we’re super excited to hit the ice and bring the sparkle.”
She finished third in I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and is now looking forward to her new challenge on the ice.
The star has already begun training with Brendyn, who recently revealed to The Sun that the new series will be his final one.
He is currently in a relationship with S Club star Rachel Stevens, who he met on the show.
Other celebrity pairings for the popular show, which will hit screens in January 2025, include her Towie co-star Dan Edgar, who asked not to be paired with professional skater Vanessa Bauer.
Instead, Vanessa has been paired with Love Island star Chris Taylor, with Hollyoaks star Chelsee Healy and Andy Buchanan put together.
An insider recently revealed to The Sun that Chelsee is “over-the-moon” about the news.
They added: “Chelsee is looking forward to getting stuck in and knows she and Andy will make a great team.”
Model Mollie Pearce and Colin Grafton will also skate together.
And last but not least, TV star Michaela Strachan, who presents The Really Wild Show and Springwatch, will team up with Mark Hanretty.
Dame Sarah Storey is another sporting hero who will take to the Ice along with Sir Steve Redgrave along with former footballer Anton Ferdinand.
Soap stars will also appear on the show, including EastEnders star Charlie Brooks and Sam Aston, who plays Chesney Brown in Coronation Street.
And there’ll also be a comedian in the shape of Josh Jones from 8 out of 10 Cats.
All of the stars and their partners will battle it out over nine weeks to be crowned Dancing On Ice champions.
Last year’s winners were Ryan Thomas and Amani Fancy.
Returning in January 2025, Dancing On Ice is presented by Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby.
EastEnders legend Charlie Brooks
Traitors finalist Mollie Pearce
Coronation Street favourite Sam Aston
Olympic legend Sir Steve Redgrave
Towie’s Ferne McCann
Comedian Josh Jones
Springwatch presenter Michaela Strachan
Towie’s Dan Edgar
Love Island’s Chris Taylor
Hollyoaks actress Chelsee Healey
Ex-Footballer Anton Ferdinand
Paralympian Dame Sarah Story
