EastEnders star Patsy Palmer is returning to the British TV screen but this time as a contestant on Dancing On Ice. The 50-year-old decided to take part in the ITV ice skating challenge after celebrating her milestone birthday, saying she is grateful to have a "job" in these times.
While admitting she is nervous about the competition ahead, she doesn't want to make the same mistake she made when appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005. She took part in the BBC show to raise money for Children in Need dancing alongside Anton Du Beke - but didn't expect it to be a tough as it was.
Patsy, who played the feisty Bianca Jackson in EastEnders, took home fifth place after averaging a score of 27.67 in nine dances throughout the competition.
She told of how she used to "get sick" while spinning during her time on Strictly - and is worried this could return on the ice.
Patsy said: "When I was doing Strictly Come Dancing I used to get sick from spinning. I hadn't really watched it so I didn't realise how much spinning was involved.
"I was really gutted about that because it used to set me back. If I hadn't had that I think I could have gone way further in the competition. I'm hoping that with the momentum on ice, it won't happen."
But this isn't Patsy's only concern as she steps onto the ice on Sunday, as she is also worried about breaking bones.
She added: "I'm obviously nervous about hurting myself, especially at my age as I’m 50 now - I don’t want to break any bones or anything!
"Mainly it's just the physical side that makes me scared but I know for a fact that I’ll be super nervous when it comes to the live shows - I do get very nervous. But it's good to have a little bit of nerves."
The mum-of-four accepted the challenge despite her reservations because she wanted to prove to her kids Charley, 30, Fenton, 22, Emilia, 21, and Bertie, 12, that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.
"I thought I wasn’t going to do this because it’s going to be too hard! I was also thinking about my age and that I might hurt myself and I’m in LA, I didn’t know how it would work," she said.
"But then I thought it could work out quite well. It’s definitely going to be a brilliant challenge. I always want my kids to see it’s good to be doing fun things, challenging yourself and getting out there. And to get nice and fit!"
* Patsy will be taking to the ice with partner Matt Evers on Sunday at 6.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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