Shayne Ward
Pop singer Shayne shot to stardom when he won X Factor in 2005. Since then he has released three studio albums, completed two UK and Ireland tours, starred as Stacey Lexx in the West End musical ‘Rock Of Ages’ and recently proposed to his childhood sweetheart Faye McKeever.
"This has to be my biggest challenge to date," said Shayne, "There's no way of winging it on this show - you have to practise." Although he’s not all too sure about the being on the ice: "Skating is weird - a man on blades, I mean, it's just not human!"
One thing he is sure about though - there won’t a lack of support. "My family can't wait to come down and cheer me on; they'll be the loudest in the studio. The Irish are LOUD!"
We might even see fireworks on the Kiss and Cry. "I can deal with the judges and I can handle criticism. I will bite my lip, but there might be an occasion where I have to bite back!"
Maria Filippov
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, and 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 in series four.