Jane Danson says Samia Ghadie told her she had to go for ‘Dancing On Ice’.
The ‘Coronation Street’ actress will be appearing on the upcoming eleventh series of the popular ITV skating competition, and Jane, 40, has revealed her 36-year-old co-star Samia – who plays Maria Connor on the ITV soap – "encouraged" her to sign up after appearing on the series back in 2013.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Jane said: "Yeah… Samia is one of my best friends. She said ‘it’s really hard, you’ll ache, you’ll be tired, but you’ve got to do it!’ She really encouraged me to do it.
"So, because all my friends have done it, I thought, they’ve all been through the same process… and they’ve been really supportive and I think that helps. When people are really encouraging, it makes you think maybe I can do this rather than being fearful of it."
The blonde beauty is partnered with Samia’s husband and professional skater, Sylvain Longchambon, and has confessed that even though the pair are friends, "he’s not gone easy" on her with the rigorous training schedule.
Jane – who plays Leanne Battersby on the cobbles – added: "It’s great, because the foundations are already there. You know, we do know each other but we’re getting to know each other in a dancing capacity and I’m not a trained dancer so it’s quite difficult.
"Obviously he is a trained dancer so it comes so naturally to him. So it really is like being back at school a lot of the time. And just ’cause we’re friends, he’s not gone easy. He’s quite the perfectionist!"
Brian McFadden, Wes Nelson, Jane Danson, Didi Conn, Richard Blackwood and Saara Aalto are also among the celebrities taking part on the show this year.
‘Dancing On Ice’ returns to ITV on January 6.
Jane Danson told to appear on Dancing On Ice by co-star Samia Ghadie
