They will be skating on thin ice for the judges on TV's Dancing on Ice - so two contestants got their skates on and trained at Bradford Ice Rink.

Former Bradford City player Lee Sharpe and Emmerdale actress Emily Symons are being coached at Bradford's rink for ITV1's new show, starting tomorrow night.

Eleven celebrities paired with professional ice skaters - and coached by ice skating champions Torvill and Dean - will take to the ice each Saturday night, performing routines to dazzle the judges and win viewers' votes.

Bradford Ice Rink manager Angie Green said Lee and Emily were doing "brilliantly."

"They're training here every day and will continue doing so during the show," she said. "They've worked really hard and deserve to do well. They learned the basics of skating before moving onto ice dancing with their partners and our coach, Donna McCarthy.

"The winner of last year's series, Gaynor Faye, also trained at Bradford's rink so let's hope we keep the crown this year!"

Former Bradford City player and England international Lee Sharpe, of Leeds, admits the flashy skating outfits are his biggest worry!

"It's the sequins I'm concerned about," he laughed. "I struggled with the first month's lesson because I was having trouble with my boots and feet, I think I did about 24 hours out of 30. The second lot of training we cracked on all hours!

Emily Symons, who plays Louise Appleton in Emmerdale, said the training was the hardest thing she had ever done.

"I'm really enjoying it, but physically and mentally it's so gruelling," she said.

Emily is skating with Daniel Whiston, crowned last year's Dancing on Ice champion with partner Gaynor Faye.

  • Dancing on Ice is on ITV1 on Saturday night at 6.40pm and 9.30pm.

  • Start or join a debate on this issue in our online forum - Click here