‘I'm not competitive but I want to push myself'

Dancing On Ice favourite Regan Gascoigne tells us why the rink is very different from a dance floor, his biggest competition and sending healing powers to Rachel Stevens

- CHLOE ALEXANDROU AND RHONA MERCER

Anyone who saw Regan Gascoigne’s stunning first performance on Dancing On Ice won’t be at all surprised to know that the 25-year-old is currently the favourite to win this year’s show.

His performance with skating partner Karina Manta to Sam Smith’s Too Good At Goodbye left the judges full of joy, with both Ashley Banjo and Christopher Dean describing it as the “best week one skate ever”, and Oti Mabuse saying it was “beautiful”.

Despite his performing arts background, Regan – whose dad is footballing legend Paul Gascoigne – tells us that being on the dance floor is “very different” from being on the ice! Not that this is putting him off though, as he says he’s full of enthusiasm when it comes to learning this new skill and he’s loving every second of it.

But life hasn’t always been a bed of roses for Regan and his dad – who was married to his mum Sheryl between 1996 and 1998 – who has famously battled addictions to booze and drugs for much of his life, resulting in the pair being estranged for many years. However, the relationship has healed in recent times and a tearful Gazza was seen on last week’s DOI saying how “proud” he is of Regan.

And Regan should be proud of himself, too. After his first performance came top of the leaderboard due to scoring a whopping 33 out of 40, he gushed, “I still can’t believe this is real! This is the best experience of my life. Thank you so much to everyone that voted for me, it means the world. I can’t wait to skate again for you next week. I’m so lucky to have the best partner @karinamanta thank you for everything... you are the cutest!”