08 January 2024 , 20:00
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Claire Sweeney gave Dancing on Ice legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean more than they bargained for on her first day on the ice.
The soap icon recalled the embarrassing moment ahead of the ITV series returning on Sunday. Claire admitted she fell over on her first day at the rink, but she didn't realise until later that day the full consequences of her clumsiness.
She explained: "We meet Torvill and Dean and they stand in the middle of the ice and say 'Welcome'. You've got to make your way out to them in this huge ice rink. So I'm kind of like Bambi. I skate, but then I go bang and I take a really hard fall.
"I got back up and I thought the main thing here is to carry on, to keep my confidence. If I can carry on, that will be a big achievement for me. So I get up and I carry on. I'm really proud of myself and I carry on for half an hour."
Claire was left red-faced by the mishap (ITV)
Claire is currently starring in Coronation Street (Dave Benett/Getty Images)
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She continued: "Then they thank me and get off the ice and I get to my dressing room. I'm trying to be cool. I get in the dressing room and I'm hyperventilating and then I catch myself in the mirror and my leggings are ripped from the top of my bum to the bottom.
"I'd been skating around with my bum hanging out! Literally my bum hanging out. I just thought I've got to own this." The Coronation Street star revealed she's a huge fan of the show and hopes her famous pals will be in the crowd to support her on Sunday evenings.
Denise Van Outen, Duncan James and Dancing on Ice finalists The Vivienne will all be looking to support Claire from the audience throughout her time on the show as well as her young son Jaxon. Explaining why she wanted to sign up, Claire revealed: "I've had quite a few friends who've done it who've absolutely loved the experience, and I wanted to get a skater's bum for Christmas!
"I look at what The Vivienne lost, like nearly four stone. How wonderful to learn a new skill, get a really fit body, and you know what? As you get older, you get a bit more fearful and you get a bit more cautious. To really conquer something that is terrifying is wonderful."
Claire will be competing against former boxer Ricky Hatton, S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt, Love Island's Amber Davies, Olympian Greg Rutherford, Made In Chelsea star Miles Nazaire and former EastEnders actor Ricky Norwood.
Comedian Lou Sanders, Radio DJ Adele Roberts, Emmerdale's Roxy Shahidi and Coronation Street's Ryan Thomas will also take to the ice while Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards stepped in after Gogglebox's Stephen Lustig-Webb dropped out due to injury.