THE ICE MAN

Skating star Daniel Whiston is back on television this month as creative director of Dancing on Ice. Here he talks, sequins, skating and how Blackpool contributed to his success

- Emma Mayoh

You can’t help but get caught up in Dan Whiston’s optimism. His voice fizzes with enthusiasm and, even though he’s on the end of a phone, you can tell he is grinning from ear to ear. He’s in the middle of gruelling rehearsals for the new series of Dancing on Ice, for which he is associate creative director and which airs this month. And despite the long days and demanding physical challenge of being on the ice for hours at a time, he is relishing every moment.

‘It’s fabulous, I couldn’t wish for more,’ he says. ‘For me this is the dream job, it is incredible and the most amazing opportunity.’

It’s this positive approach that has undoubtedly been a factor in the 43-year-old’s success. As well as being a successful skater – on Dancing on Ice he is the only professional to have won the competition three times – he is patron for Brian House Children’s Hospice, owns a franchise of Subway restaurants, Blackpool’s Clip n’ Climb centre and has a property business with fellow Dancing on Ice coach and skating star Karen Barber, who is originally from Manchester. He is also a qualified fitness instructor and runs Zumba exercise classes in Poulton.

‘I’ve been lucky,’ said Dan, a former Blackpool Hot Ice Show skater. ‘But I was also taught to work hard by my dad, Bill. When I was in my early teens I was working in the carpet shops he still runs in Blackpool.