Dancing On Ice’s Michaela Strachan is already hailed by viewers as ‘first female winner in 12 years’ as she tops leaderboard in first episode

Viewers of Dancing on Ice were constantly praising Michaela Strachan for her outstanding performance during the premiere episode of the program.

Spectators swiftly hailed her as the potential first woman to win in twelve years following the wildlife host, aged 58, who scored an impressive 30.5 points and led the rankings.

During the performance, the Springwatch host amazed both viewers at home and the judges with a rendition of “Let’s Do It” by Cole Porter, while dancing with her professional skating partner, Mark Hanretty.

The ex-Countryfile presenter made a winning debut, effortlessly captivating the hearts of the nation.

Enthusiasts of the popular ITV show couldn’t contain their excitement, quickly expressing their admiration for X by leaving comments. They praised Michaela as a surprise contender, or “dark horse,” and hailed her performance as the standout act of the evening, writing:

‘#DancingOnIce michaela did so good and slayed she then gets a 30.5 CHEERS EVERYONE’;

I rated Michaela and Mark an 8.5. This performance was outstanding! The pace, rhythm, ice coverage, smooth transitions, extended moves to their fingertips, and flair were all exceptional. You are the one to watch in this competition! #DancingOnIce

‘I think Michaela Strachan is going to be great in this competition #DancingOnIce’;

“Thrilled to witness Michaela’s graceful skating! Absolutely delightful! I truly hope Mark gets the chance to perform Bolero on the show, more so this being his last year on Dancing On Ice – such a fitting finale!

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but exclaim that Mark and Michaela are simply extraordinary! Much like how he elevated Adele’s performance on Dancing On Ice last year, Mark consistently brings out the best in his partners. #DancingOnIce

‘That was really nice from Michaela. #DancingOnIce’;

Michaela is undoubtedly outstanding in her performances so far. She skillfully combines both solo and partner skating routines, which makes her stand out #DancingOnIce.

Ah-ha! I knew it. Solo ice skating displayed an exceptional show. Michaela Strachan has made history by becoming the first female Dancing on Ice champion in a dozen years, under the hashtag #DancingOnIce.

‘Cracking start Michaela! #DancingOnIce’;

‘I knew Michaela was going to be a surprise #DancingOnIce’;

#Dancing on Ice, Michaela Strachan dazzled! Better than expected, a true surprise performer. Mark Hanretty did an excellent job with the choreography too.

‘Michaela was really good…#DancingOnIce’;

‘Performance of the night #dancingonice #Michaela’.

In a thrilling return, the 2025 season of “Dancing On Ice” premiered on Sunday night, with this year’s famous faces tightening their ice skates to take part in the competition.

Hosts Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern are back for another series of the ITV program where famous personalities team up with skilled ice skaters to perform dances on a frozen rink under the watchful eyes of judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Oti Mabuse, and Ashley Banjo.

This year, Chris Taylor from Love Island, Dan Edgar and Ferne McCann from TOWIE, as well as Sam Aston, Charlie Brooks, and Chelsee Healey from soap operas will join forces with Olympic rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave, former footballer Anton Ferdinand, comedian Josh Jones, and The Traitors finalist Mollie Pearce in a competition.

This week, as we gear up for the upcoming episode, I’ve found myself reflecting on the profound wisdom shared by our wildlife presenter about the necessity of stepping beyond one’s comfort zone. It’s a message that resonates deeply with me.

Although thrilled to agree to participate in the ITV show, Michaela confessed that she feels annoyed by the inflexibility she experiences during training sessions.

The Springwatch presenter shared during an exclusive chat with TopMob: “It’s wonderful when, as you get older, you can challenge yourself by stepping outside your usual boundaries.

Throughout my professional journey, I’ve consistently challenged myself beyond my familiar bounds, and it’s incredibly rewarding to keep stretching those limits.

She mentioned, “What truly bothers me is that when I was significantly younger, I was extremely flexible. Performing the splits came effortlessly to me.

As I’ve grown older, I find myself much less flexible than I once was, and this can be quite annoying. For instance, when Mark asks me to perform an arabesque, the leg used to effortlessly reach high above my head. Nowadays, I barely manage 90 degrees, which is a bit disheartening. Consequently, I’m making extra efforts to push myself to that height.

It seems I’m experiencing some minor discomfort in my lower back and hip flexors, but overall, it’s not that severe.

At the Dancing On Ice photocall on Wednesday, Michaela exuded an amazing appearance in a sleek dark blue satin shift dress when posing for photographs.

She acknowledged that swapping her “warm clothing and hiking shoes for false eyelashes and hair extensions” pushes her beyond her usual comfort level.

She mentioned, “This feels quite unusual for me as I’m more accustomed to layers of warm clothing like thermals, hats, scarves, and sturdy walking shoes. This situation is rather distinct.

In essence, signing that contract means you’re stepping onto the ice for Dancing with the Stars, so you’ll need to embrace the sparkle and the showy gestures.

Instead of asking for fewer eyelashes and hair extensions, it seems like I only suggested starting that process, but I believe we are merely taking our first steps.

As a die-hard admirer, I’ve been following her journey closely, and it was truly heartening to see her open up about the emotional strain she faced during her battle against breast cancer. She’s shown incredible courage in sharing her concerns before embarking on her Dancing On Ice adventure.

In early 2014, she received a diagnosis following a regular mammography exam. After undergoing a double mastectomy, followed by reconstructive surgery, she completely recuperated.

As someone deeply interested in the ITV show, I’ve openly confessed that what bothers me isn’t the potential for gruesome injuries, but rather the prospect of wearing those snug fitting tops.

She chuckled uneasily: ‘What person came up with the idea of attaching blades to the soles of shoes, then glide about and perform acrobatic feats on a slippery floor? That’s simply preposterous!’

Over the course of its history, the program has unfortunately taken down several notable figures, including Olympic athlete Greg Rutherford, who suffered a tear in his abdominal muscles during the previous season.

In a past show, Jennifer Ellison sustained a self-inflicted wound on her head using a skate, Denise Van Outen suffered a dislocated shoulder, and Vanilla Ice experienced a concussion.

Even the professionals who partner with celebrities have been slashed by stray blades.

Michaela confessed that she had been concerned when she initially agreed to this. In a moment of imprudence, my partner Nick and I watched a collection of accidents on YouTube. Seeing the danger, Nick cautioned me, saying, “This isn’t wise at all.

When asked if she was considering giving up, Michaela disclosed that she had indeed given the idea serious thought. At 58 years old, she feels fortunate to be in good health, despite having faced a health scare related to cancer in her past.

1) My favorite activity is hiking in the mountains, and I don’t want to risk an injury that might be permanent. I had a moment of hesitation, too.

the enjoyment of hiking in the mountains, the concern about potential injury, and a hint of indecision.

I recalled that she inquired regarding past incidents during the medical examination, and learned that just one competitor had once felt nervous and withdrew prior to the competition. At that moment, I mused, ‘No, I don’t consider myself a quitter. I accepted this challenge, so let’s proceed.’

Originally from Surrey, Michaela relocated to Cape Town in the year 2002 following her affection for Nick Chevallier, a South African cinematographer and producer.

Initially, I found myself trembling with fear as I embarked on my training journey with a local mentor there. However, the first time I tumbled down, I miraculously escaped injury. A wave of relief washed over me, but I knew deep down that some individuals can sustain severe injuries. Here’s hoping I won’t be one of them!

I’m absolutely living for the fact that, miles apart from Nick, my beloved Michaela, has decided to establish her sanctuary – temporarily nestled in an Airbnb on a serene farm close to Henley. While the world sleeps, she dedicates four hours daily to her passion at an ice rink in Slough, transforming each spin and leap into a testament of her relentless dedication.

2021 seems like an ideal year for me to finally take on this endeavor, given that my child has embarked on their university journey.

Dancing On Ice returned Sunday January 12 at 6.30pm, live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

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2025-01-13 00:51

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