Michelle Heaton is competing in Dancing On Ice 2023, but she wasn’t approached for the show for the first time last year.
The Liberty X singer, 43, is paired with Polish professional ukasz Róycki, also 43, and she’s in good hands given that ukasz has already competed on the show eight times.
Michelle, who has been candid about her drug difficulties, has had an arduous trip to the ice rink.
The music sensation was overcome with emotion as she spoke ahead of her ice debut.
‘It’s been a long journey to get here,’ she began.
‘The last few years, it hasn’t been a secret that I’ve struggled with addiction.’
An emotional Michelle then revealed: ‘A few years ago, I was up for Dancing On Ice but I wasn’t in any way fit.’
In 2021, the actress booked herself into The Priory clinic to get treatment for her drinking problem.
Michelle emerged from the treatment programme healthier and has persisted on her sober journey.
She expressed her thanks for having been given a “second opportunity” tonight, remarking on how “wonderful” it feels to finally be participating in the skating event.
‘I thought Michelle and Lukasz were really good. Disagree with the Judges totally. Keep going because you have got it for sure. Well done’, one fan told her.
‘Michelle Heaton! Absolutely amazing! She has so much to be proud of!’, tweeted another.
One viewer was on hand with the words of encouragement: ‘Michelle has incredible potential. She just needs to believe in herself a little more’.
‘Can’t help but want to cheer on @wonderwomanshel she has had such a difficult journey in life and has come so far. Smash it Michelle x’, one tweeted her.
Michelle expressed her desire to make her children proud ahead of her Dancing On Ice debut, saying she had gone through a lot.
Michelle, who has been sober for 20 months, expressed her gratitude to her daughters Faith, 11, and AJ, 8.
‘I want to try my very best and put my all into this. Getting to experience something that brings a lot of happiness to us as a family – they’ve been my support system through recovery,’ she said.
Dancing On Ice airs Sundays on ITV.
