Saira Khan’s mother is worried her ‘Dancing On Ice’ outfits will "embarrass" their family.
The ‘Loose Women’ panellist – who was raised in a Muslim household – has warned her mother she’ll be embracing the sparkly and skintight costumes she’s given on the show and won’t be dressing as modestly as she would like.
She said: "I was brought up in a Muslim household where I couldn’t wear what I wanted. I remember watching Jayne Torvill perform Bolero, whizzing round in that floaty dress and thining, ‘I wish I could wear that.’
"But what I wear has always been an issue in my community – even now, when I’m nearly 50. My mum will still say, ‘Don’t embarrass me’ and I tell her, ‘Mum, I can’t go on the ice wearing a burqa.’
"Bless her. I really want my mum to see that just because I’m an Asian Muslim woman doesn’t mean I can’t do anything I want, given the opportunity."
While Saira had never skated before she started training for the show, she’s thrown herself into practice with her professional partner Mark Hanretty and has even tackled the terrifying headbanger move.
Speaking to HELLO! she said: "I can do a backwards crossover, a forwards crossover and quite a few lifts – and I’ve done the headbanger. That’s the one where they grab you by the legs and spin you round. It’s my favourite move."
The 48-year-old presenter – who has Zac, 10, and Amara, seven, with husband Steve Hyde – hopes appearing on the show will inspire her kids, in particular her daughter.
She said: "I want to show her, ‘Give it a go Mars, go on, have a go.’ It’s really important that I try and do these things to demonstrate to both my children."
Saira Khan’s mum worried about Dancing On Ice outfits
