Patsy Palmer has announced that she has moved to Berkshire from her home in Malibu while she takes part in the new series of Dancing On Ice.
The former EastEnders star, 50, who moved to Hollywood with her husband Richard Merkell in 2014, had been training with partner Matt Evers at ice rinks in LA before the show’s January 15 return.
But now Patsy has revealed she will be staying in the UK for the duration of the series so she can throw herself into the competition, and told The Mirror that her competitive streak has already started to shine.
New digs! Patsy Palmer has announced that she has moved to Berkshire from her home in Malibu while she takes part in the new series of Dancing On Ice
She said: “I’m not competitive but this time I’m going to say let’s try to win it.
“I’m going to focus on training and meditating, and that’s going to really test me.”
Patsy said she made a pact to “get out of her comfort zone,” adding, “This is for all 50-year-olds. I’m pretty scared now.’
Last week Patsy, best known for her role as Bianca Jackson in EastEnders, became the first celebrity to hit the rink at Dancing on Ice Studios in London.
A little more sun! The EastEnders star moved to Malibu with her husband Richard Merkell in 2014 but has temporarily returned to the UK while she takes part in the ITV show
The actress, who recently returned to Blighty from her home in Malibu, donned a padded jacket, which she paired with a black beanie.
Joined by her professional partner Matt, she revealed the brand new rink was “like glass”.
Patsy previously lived in Malibu with husband Richard and their three children, Fenton, 22, Emilia, 20, and Bertie, 10, after moving to the United States in 2014.
She is also the parent of actor Charley Palmer Rothwell, 30 – her UK-based son with former partner Alfie Rothwell.
Get to work! Patsy had previously practiced at an LA ice rink with her skating partner Matt Evers, who also lives in the United States
Back in October, Patsy was announced as the first celebrity in this year’s Dancing On Ice cast.
She told This Morning: “I can’t believe I’m the first, that was the one I really needed to think about, I wanted to challenge myself, get out of my comfort zone.”
“I used to turn it down because I was scared, but when I turned 50 I made a pact to get out of my confrontational zone. This is for all 50 year olds. I’m actually pretty scared now.’
Ice Queen: Last week Patsy, best known for her role as Bianca Jackson in EastEnders, became the first celebrity to hit the rink at Dancing on Ice studios in London
Family time: Patsy previously lived in Malibu with husband Richard and their three children, Fenton, 22, Emilia, 20, and Bertie, 10
Patsy said she will be returning to the UK for the show but will be doing much of her training in Malibu.
She said: “I’ll be back, but I’ll be training in Los Angeles, which is fantastic.
“I’m not competitive but this time I’ll say let’s try to win it. I’m going to be focusing on the workout and meditating and that’s going to really test it for me.
About her experience, she said: “The experience I had with ice skating is that when I was a kid I went there with my friends as one of the first things we got to do without our parents. We used to drive around fast and crash into walls.
“It would be really nice to skate to songs I love, but a lot of them are very upbeat and I don’t want to create a challenge for myself.”
Dancing on Ice returns to ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday 15 January at 18:30.
DANCING ON ICE 2023: MEET THE PARTICIPANTS
PATSY PALMER
AGE: 50
PROFESSION: Actress and DJ
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I’ve turned down before because I was scared, but when I turned 50 I made a pact to get out of my confrontational zone. ‘
EKIN SU CULCULOGLU
AGE: 28
PROFESSION: Love Island star
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I have amazing news for you. I’m so excited I can’t wait to get on the ice and skate. Stay tuned and see you on the ice.’
MOLLIE GALLAGHER
AGE: 24
PROFESSION: Actress
WHAT DID YOU SAID?: “I don’t have the best coordination, so people laugh when they find out, but I don’t want to spend my life saying, ‘I can’t do this, I can’t do this. “
Joey Essex
AGE: 32
PROFESSION: Ex-TOWIE star
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I’m so excited. I wanted something structured in my life that was more serious than what I usually do.’
CARLEY STENSON
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Actress and West End star
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I’m so excited to be able to learn how to dance on ice! I’m scared but can’t wait – I just want to make the most of this whole experience.”
SIVA KANESWARAN
AGE: 33
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I want to learn to skate and make my family proud of me and put on a show for all to see.”
JOHANNES FASHANU
AGE: 60
PROFESSION: Former soccer player and expert
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I’m definitely going to win it. And that might be one of the scariest things I’ve ever signed up for, but I couldn’t be more up for the challenge!”
NILE WILSON
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: Olympic gymnast
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I haven’t skated much but I’m so excited for the opportunity. I’m so excited to get into this routine and feel like an athlete again.
JAMES LEE WILLIAM AKA THE VIVIENNE
AGE: 29
PROFESSION: Drag queen
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “To be the first drag artist to compete in one of the UK’s major reality competition shows is an honor and a huge step forward for queer representation on television.”
DARREN HARRIOT
PROFESSION: Comedian
AGE: 34
WHAT DID YOU SAID?: “I have huge feet, I can’t skate and I can’t dance. My family has already made bets – they’re making bets that I’ll fall in the first episode!”
MICHELLE HEATON
AGE: 43
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I’ve always wanted to do it but I know the way I was 18 months ago I would never have been able to complete anything so I’m really very grateful ‘that I got it this year when I’m much stronger.’