Ferne McCann has admitted she ‘can’t see how she’s going to be live show ready’ for Dancing On Ice, after donning her skates for the first time earlier this month.
Speaking to MailOnline at the Pride Of Britain Awards on Monday, the former TOWIE star, 34, lifted the lid on her worries about taking part in the ITV competition.
The beauty looked incredible at the glitzy red carpet event as she stepped out in a plunging silver sequinned gown, which she said is a tribute to the show.
She said: ‘Everyone has said to me “Oh can you ice skate?” and I’ve found it a really difficult question to answer. No I can’t ice skate, I’ve done the odd Winter Wonderland with Sunday.
‘I’m normally bending over a penguin trying to keep her up. I’m fit right, I like to work out, but this is a whole different ball game and it’s challenging.
Ferne McCann has admitted she ‘can’t see how’ she’s going to be ‘live show ready’ for Dancing On Ice, after donning her skates for the first time earlier this month
Speaking to MailOnline at the Pride Of Britain Awards on Monday, the former TOWIE star, 34, lifted the lid on her worries about taking part in the ITV competition
‘I can ice skate now after my two weeks training are very much underway and it’s really fun and it’s great to learn a new skill.’
The reality TV star added: ‘It’s just challenging. I’ve been watching on YouTube and scrolling through the Dancing On Ice Instagram and I just want to focus day by day instead of looking because it throws me off.
‘In my mind, where I am now, I can’t see how I’m going to get to show live ready. It doesn’t compute.’
Ferne explained that she’s balancing parenting well as the training only takes up two hours per day, five days a week.
She commented: ‘Sunday’s in school you know, my mum has Finty so its quite a nice balance and I get to train at Chelmsford ice rink so it’s local.’
The beauty also opened up about the decision to end her long-running reality TV series My Family And Me.
Ferne, best known for her regular appearances on The Only Way Is Essex with Shepherd, has documented her journey from pregnancy and single parenthood to engaged mother-of-two in ITVBe shows First Time Mum and, more recently, My Family And Me.
But the TV personality announced in September that she is ready to pull the plug after making the ‘difficult decision’ with businessman fiancé Lorri Haines and six-year old daughter Sunday, her child with former partner Arthur Collins.
The beauty looked incredible at the glitzy red carpet event as she stepped out in a plunging silver sequinned gown, which she said is a tribute to the show
She said: ‘Everyone has said to me “Oh can you ice skate?” and I’ve found it a really difficult question to answer. No I can’t ice skate, I’ve done the odd Winter Wonderland with Sunday
Ferne said: ‘I’m normally bending over a penguin trying to keep her up. I’m fit right, I like to work out, but this is a whole different ball game and it’s challenging’
The reality TV star added: ‘It’s just challenging. I’ve been watching on YouTube and scrolling through the Dancing On Ice Instagram and I just want to focus day by day instead of looking because it throws me off’
Ferne said: ‘In my mind, where I am now, I can’t see how I’m going to get to show live ready. It doesn’t compute’
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline at the Pride Of Britain Awards, Ferne said: ‘I haven’t spoken about it much but I think now, I had the last episode the other week, oh my God why do I feel like I’m going to cry?
‘This has been part of my life for seven years and I feel so sad that it’s come to the end but I just knew in my heart that it was the right decision.
I’ve been thinking about it since the beginning of this year and I’ve made this decision solely for Sunday and for my children.
She explained: ‘She’s now in year two and I just feel like I don’t want her to get in from school and have to film.
I want her to create her own path in life, it’s all she’s ever known so. I’m not very good with endings but it’s the best decision.’
Confirming the news with her Instagram followers last month, she wrote: ‘After an incredible 13 series I have made the very difficult decision that this series of @fernemyfamandme will be my last.
‘Where do I begin? Firstly by saying a huge, huge thank you to each one of you that have watched my show and been on our family journey with us.
‘This show has been such an incredible part of my life for the last seven years and what a ride it has been filming from being pregnant with Sunday to now. Your support and loyalty to me and my family has, at times, lifted me more than you will ever know. Thank you.’
Ferne explained that she’s balancing parenting well as the training only takes up two hours per day, five days a week
The beauty also opened up about the decision to end her long-running reality TV series My Family And Me (pictured with son Finty and daughter Sunday, who appear with their mother on the show)
McCann, who is also a parent to 14-month old son Finty with Haines, added: ‘From the day I started filming I have poured my heart and soul in to the series. I genuinely feel like I’ve laughed, cried, loved and lived with you, sharing all the ups and downs.
‘This decision hasn’t been an easy one, but it feels like now is the right time for a change.
‘I made this decision with my children (especially Sunday who has been on this full journey with me) in mind.
‘They are my absolute priority and Sunday is now at an age where she is very much her own little person and I want her to go out there and take her own path.
‘I am eternally grateful to every single person who has watched the show, supported us and been there through it all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
DANCING ON ICE 2025: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
FERNE MCCANN
AGE: 34
PROFESSION: Reality TV star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited, it’s going to be a huge challenge but I’m excited for the glitz and glamour of the show.’
SIR STEVE REDRGAVE
AGE: 62
PROFESSION: Former Olympic rower
WHAT DID THEY SAY? ‘It’s like going back to being an athlete again, I’ve been competing most of my life.’
CHARLIE BROOKS
AGE: 43
PROFESSION: Soap star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve skated when I was a kid and with mulled wine at Christmas. Until I get on the ice I have no idea how I’m going to be. I’m not that strong.’
ANTON FERDINAND
AGE: 39
PROFESSION: Footballer and pundit
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: Dancing On Ice will give me that focus but I’m also doing it for my daughter because she loves dance and performing arts.’
CHRIS TAYLOR
Age: 34
PROFESSION: Reality star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m somewhere between absolutely terrified and very excited and I keep flitting between the two quite aggressively throughout the day. I’ve not even started stretching yet, I need to.’
CHELSEE HEALEY
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Actress
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m ready, I’m good to go, let’s go! I’ve got a bit of rhythm but skating on ice is completely different, I’m excited.
MOLLIE PEARCE
AGE: 22
PROFESSION: Reality TV star and model
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘It will be fun, I want to challenge myself, I’m ready for the challenge.’
SAM ASTON
AGE: 31
PROFESSION: Soap star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘Anyone at work who I’ve spoken to has done it have all kind of the same thing that it is a great experience and it is really hard, and it’s tiring and tough but it is brilliant as well.’
JOSH JONES
AGE: 31
PROFESSION: Comedian
WHAT DID THEY SAY? ‘I’ve not got any skating experience whatsoever, I did it once for a date years ago and I wasn’t very good, I was holding onto the railings the entire time and we aren’t together now.’
MICHAELA STRACHAN
AGE: 58
PROFESSION: Television presenter
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘It’s going to be a big challenge, I think the last time I was on ice was 14 years ago, because I trained as a dancer, I’ve got a bit of balance, but I have no idea whether I’m going to be good.’
DAN EDGAR
AGE: 34
PROFESSION: TOWIE star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m looking forward to it but the thought of the live shows and performing is very real.’
DAME SARAH STOREY
AGE: 46
PROFESSION: Paralympian
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m excited to learn a new skill and have the opportunity to put myself out there and learn a new sport.’