Jake Quickenden - who won Dancing on Ice back in 2018, has opened up about some “terrifying” aspects of the show and revealed how they’re dealt with behind the scenes. The X Factor singer secured victory on the ITV series alongside pro skater Vanessa Bauer, and admitted he was “gutted” that she had to drop out this year due to an injury. Jake said that Vanessa was “amazing” and helped push him to win the series, while touching on some of the dangers of pulling off major stunts on ice so quickly. “It’s so easy to get injured on that show,” the I’m a Celebrity star said, revealing a surprising injury that could stop a contestant’s journey immediately.
“The speed you have to progress at, the lifts - me and Vanessa did a lot of lifts, and it was terrifying,” Jake shared as he reminisced about his own time on the ice. “I remember the first time I lifted her above my head on ice, it was terrifying. And not for me, I wasn’t bothered if I fell over, I just didn’t want to drop her on her head.”. Speaking more of the frequent injuries, he shared: “It does progress quickly, and it’s not even just that. If you get a little tiny groin strain you can’t skate, it’s impossible, because everything is to do with that area - it’s all groin and hamstring.
“So if you get a strain you literally can’t push, you can’t lunge, you can’t do anything that you need to do. I think I only got one injury and it was in the semi-finals, I did my thumb.”. However, Jake revealed that the behind the scenes care was on point, and described the hilarious camaraderie between skaters and medical professionals off-screen. “It’s amazing, the physio team at Dancing on Ice are incredible,” he said. “Sharon and Max were the two ladies, and I still keep in contact with them now. Sharon was this - let’s say grumpy, she won’t mind me saying that! But grumpy in the best kind of way, she just used to look at me with a blank face and shake her head at me most of the time when I was messing around.
“They’re the two most amazing people, they knew their stuff so well, and they looked after us. They tape you up, they make sure you’re getting ice baths and all that. So the team behind the scenes, Max and Sharon, are incredible - I love them both.”. Jake also shared some advice for the current contestants when asked how he took home the trophy. The star - who’s currently on stage with the show Rita, Sue and Bob Too!, mused: “I mean it’s like anything in life, I reckon; the more effort you put in the better you’ll do. If you think you can get by with a couple of hours training then you’re probably not going to get that far. But also, enjoy it - you’re doing Dancing on Ice!”.
