Two of the hot favourites in this year’s Dancing on Ice TV series are perfecting their skating skills at Bradford Ice Arena.

Former Emmerdale actress Hayley Tamaddon and Hollyoaks actor Kieron Richardson are both hotly-tipped to make the final of the hit ITV show, which pairs celebrities with professional ice dancers under the tuition of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

Bradford Ice Arena manager Angie Green said Hayley and Kieron were training hard. “They’re regarded as the two biggest threats to the other contestants so hopefully we have another winner training here in Bradford,” she said.

“Gaynor Faye, who won the first series of Dancing on Ice, trained here, as did Chris Fountain who was a finalist in 2008.”

On Sunday’s show, Dancing on Ice viewers saw Hayley meeting her professional partner, Dan Whiston, at Bradford’s ice rink.

“They first met as children and Hayley told me she really wanted him as her partner on the show,” said Angie. “Dan crept up behind her on the rink and she screamed, she was thrilled. They’re a great couple to have around, as are Kieron and his partner, Brianne Delcourt.”

Angie hopes this year’s show will generate as much interest in ice skating as previous series. “There’s a new Friday show, hopefully watching this will inspire people to go skating over the weekend,” she said. “We’re expecting it to generate lots of visitors to the rink, especially once the snow melts.” Hayley, 32, who played Delilah Dingle in Emmerdale, starred in 2008/2009 Alhambra pantomime, Cinderella, opposite Billy Pearce and was due to be re-join the comic in this year’s panto until signing up for Dancing on Ice.

Hayley is determined to try daring ice moves, despite suffering her first major injury. “We were trying a lift, my top half stretched away from my bottom half. I couldn’t move and I could feel my back going into spasms,” she said. “My muscles had popped away from my ribs. For a week I found it difficult to breathe.”

Kieron, 23, has been taking tips from Wibsey actor, and former Dancing on Ice finalist, Chris Fountain. He said: “Chris said the most important thing is to enjoy everything because it’s a great experience – and not to panic too much because the live shows aren’t as scary as they look.”

  • Dancing on Ice is shown on Friday at 8pm and Sunday at 6.45pm.