"Skating is great for your abs!", says Chemmy...
As Britain's number one skier for a record seven years, Chemmy may seem to have an advantage on the ice, however, and most importantly, her new passion for ice skating is helping her rehabilitation since her career threatening skiing accident in December 2010.
Chemmy says: "I have this massive opportunity with Dancing on Ice to do something that is going to help me get into the right state with my leg, with my sport and with my head. The first few skating sessions that I did, the coach would say 'on your right leg', which is the one I broke, 'go on your outside edge'. It would take me ten meters to make that connection from my head to my leg. If I was doing that in a skiing situation, downhill, that would have been disastrous. That's why I can't just bounce back and race straight away; I don't have that body control at the moment. This is teaching me to do it in a safe environment."
Chemmy is hopeful she will be able to make the transition from the slopes to performing a choreographed routine.
She says, "I love to dance, I'm very uninhibited. I'm one of these people who hit the clubs, dancing wildly, and you're like 'Good on her, let's not copy it though!'."
The show is presented by Phillip Schofield and new co-host Christine Bleakley, along with Torville and Dean, and an Ice Panel including double Olympic champion Katarina Witt and acclaimed chorographer Louie Spence, returning Head Judge Robin Cousins and Head Coach Karen Barber.
Other celebrities taking part in the 2012 series are: Dallas icon Charlene Tilton, Hollywood actor Corey Feldman, Sugababe Heidi Range, singer Chesney Hawkes, actress Laila Morse, diet and fitness guru Rosemary Conley, children's TV presenter Sam Nixon, actress Jennifer Ellison, TV presenter Andy Akinwolere, Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden, Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter, founder of freerunning Sébastien Foucan, children's TV presenter Mark Rhodes and Coronation Street star Andy Whyment.
For more information about Chemmy Alcott visit www.chemmyalcott.com
For more information about Dancing on Ice and an extended interview with Chemmy visit www.itv.com/dancingonice
Images available on request from maddy@blackdiamond.co.uk