Andy Akinwolere & Maria Filippov

Former Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere is hoping skating partner Maria Filippov can turn him into this year’s Ray Quinn.

“I saw Ray win, he raised the bar for male contestants," Andy says. "There’s a pressure for any male that wants to come into Dancing On Ice to give it 100%, and guys can be competitive but in a very sly way!”

“I just want to try stuff that takes me out of my comfort zone, I really want to put on a good show for people and hope they can see the progress I’ve have made.”

And we're certainly looking forward to seeing Andy strutt his stuff!

Maria’s first forays into competitive sport came at just four years of age while competing as a rhythmic gymnast. After excelling in the sport she then started figure skating at eight years old, and competed successfully as a single skater until the age of 14. Her switch to Ice Dancing was inspired by her love for music and dance.

With her skating partner Hristo Nicolov, the pair became Bulgarian Champions in the European and World Championships. Maria was also awarded the title "Master of Sport of Bulgaria” - an honour bestowed by the Bulgarian Government in recognition of sporting excellence.

In 1992 Maria decided to retire from amateur competition and become an Ice Dance coach. In 1998 she relocated to Moscow to work as an assistant coach and choreographer. She later moved to Australia to coach the Australian National Team.

Maria has an impressive Dancing On Ice history, most notably winning the show with Ray Quinn is series four.