Once again a team of experts will be judging our celebrities as they take to the ice for the 2011 series.
But this time there’s two new names taking their place in the Ice Panel hot seats. TV personality Louie Spence and twice Olympic figure skating champion Katarina Witt will be joining Robin Cousins to offer words of wisdom each week – and to help you decide who you want to help save from the skate-off.
Robin Cousins will be back as head of the Ice Panel – and he certainly knows his stuff. As one of Britain’s best known and best-loved individual ice skaters, Robin rose to the top after winning Olympic and European gold medals in 1980.
Acclaimed choreographer Louie Spence will draw on his wealth of experience in dance and choreography to offer his critique on the celebrity’s’ performances. Louie has worked with some of the world’s biggest stars including, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams and Mariah Carey, before becoming a household name with the show Pineapple Dance Studios.
Katarina Witt dominated figure skating for over a decade winning a legion of medals and making her one of the most successful figure skaters of all time. She won Olympic golds in both the 1984 Sarajevo (the same year as Torvill and Dean’s legendary Bolero gold medal win) and 1988 Calgary Olympics. She retains the record of most consecutive European titles, sharing it with fellow skater Sonja Henie.
Louie Spence said: “I’m looking forward to being part of such a challenging and spectacular show and can’t wait to give my encouragement and critique on the contestants’ dance and performance on the ice.”
Katarina Witt said: “I can’t wait to join the Dancing On Ice judging panel. As well as offering support and constructive advice to this years’ celebrity skaters I’m also looking forward to working alongside my close friends Torvill and Dean.
Karen Barber will also be returning in her role as Head Coach. Karen competed in both the 1980 and 1984 Winter Olympics. Loveable coach Karen’s career as British Championship winner and Olympic skater saw her ranked second in the world at individual events at a mere 15 years old.
But it is her pairing with Nicky Slater for which she is most remembered - they competed in both the Lake Placid (1980) and Sarajevo (1984) Olympic Games.