‘Dancing on Ice’ creative director Daniel Whiston is predicting the show will produce another marriage because the couples develop such close relationships.
The 42- year-old professional skater is a three-time winner of the TV competition first with Gaynor Faye, then Hayley Tamaddon on the fifth series and gymnast Beth Tweddle season eight, but for the 2019 run he has gone behind the scenes to help the skaters and their celebs master their routines and choreograph the group skates.
Just like BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, the ITV show has produced its fair share of romance and even long-lasting unions with former England goalkeeper David Seaman marrying professional skater Frankie Poultney, whilst Samia Longchambon tied the knot with French pro Sylvain Longchambon in 2015 after being paired with him on the 2013 series.
And Daniel believes the 2019 series could see a loved-up couple emerge from the ice.
Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, he said: "We’ve had marriages come out of ‘Dancing On Ice’. And I would say it will happen again in the future. We’ve got a great looking cast, we’ve got a hot cast, and with a hot cast you’re going to get all sorts of things going on for sure, they’ll be lots of flirting and that flirting could go to the next level, who knows?"
Daniel believes that sparks fly between the couples because the stars have to get so close to the pros and the routines can sometimes be very passionate.
He added: "You know what, in ‘Strictly’ it’s rife and in ‘Dancing On Ice’ it happens. There have been a few relationships from ‘Dancing On Ice’, it has happened in the past over and over and I think it will happen again in the future. There’s that passion there you have that feeling there, you’re working closely with the celeb, you’re putting in the hours, I’ve been moved in my celebrity partner on more than one occasion, I moved in with Cheryl [Baker] last year, and I got moved in with Linda [Lusardi] and you form this very close relationship with your partner and from that sometimes love does blossom and I think it is more than likely that it will happen again in the future. Watch this space! It’s really intense, it really is, and the dancers get very close to their partner and it happens, the boundaries are blurred and love is born."
Daniel is relishing his new role behind the scenes and has promised the viewers they will be wowed every week because he knows what it takes to make an exciting show from his years of competing.
He said: "You really have got so much going on, it really is much more than just skating. There’s lots to watch and part of my role is bringing a creative side and keeping it new and fresh and dangerous. People want to be wowed, excited, entertained, and part of all that is the celebs relationship with their professional and I think we’re going to be in for a great show, I really do."
Among this year’s celebrity contestants are Brian McFadden, Wes Nelson, Jane Danson, Richard Blackwood, Saara Aalto and Melody Thornton.
‘Dancing On Ice’ airs on Sunday (13.01.19) on ITV.
Daniel Whiston believes a new marriage will come out of Dancing On Ice
