Showbiz

Dancing On Ice’s Michaela Strachan, 58, discusses being the oldest finalist as she sets her sights on becoming first female winner in 12 years

Dancing On Ice’s Michaela Strachan, 58, discusses being the oldest finalist as she sets her sights on becoming first female winner in 12 years

Michaela Strachan has said that she ‘doesn’t feel old’ despite being the most senior finalist on Dancing On Ice.

The Springwatch presenter, 58, has been competing in the ITV skating show since the start of January alongside professional skater Mark Hanretty.

She is now one of the three finalists in the dance compeтιтion alongside former footballer Anton Ferdinand, 40, and Coronation Street actor Sam Aston, 31.

While she might being the oldest on the show, she is proving that age is certainly just a number.

Speaking to MailOnline, the star said: ‘I might be the oldest celebrity but I don’t feel old.’

If Michaela wins the show on Sunday night, she will become the first female winner since gymnast Beth Tweedle in 2013.

Michaela Strachan has said that she 'doesn't feel old' despite being the oldest finalist on Dancing On Ice

Michaela Strachan has said that she ‘doesn’t feel old’ despite being the oldest finalist on Dancing On Ice 

The Springwatch presenter, 58, has been competing in the ITV skating show since the start of January alongside professional skater Mark Hanretty

The Springwatch presenter, 58, has been competing in the ITV skating show since the start of January alongside professional skater Mark Hanretty

But win or lose, Michaela said her only goal is one thing – for her and Mark to skate to Boléro.

The professional skater has made it through to the final stages of the compeтιтion four times but has yet been able to secure the win.

However, the Scots star, who joined the show in 2011, confirmed he will be leaving after the 2025 series – making this his last opportunity to win.

While the pressure is on for the last three contestants, Michaela said she already ‘feels like a winner’.

She explained: ‘My 19-year-old son Oliver said “mum you’ve made it this far, you’re already a winner in my eyes. Just enjoy this week.”‘

Also hoping for a chance at winning the coveted trophy is football star Anton, who said the show has ‘completely changed his life.’ 

The sportsman, who lost his mother to cancer in 2017, said: ‘I feel like I lost myself in recent years but doing this show has given me a sense of me again.’

‘I also have a much bigger appreciation to anyone that takes part in the show as I will now watch it in a completely different way,’ he added. 

She is now one of the three finalists in the dance compeтιтion alongside Coronation Street actor Sam Aston , 31 (pictured) And former footballer Anton Ferdinand, 40, (pictured)

She is now one of the three finalists in the dance compeтιтion alongside former footballer Anton Ferdinand (right), 40, and Coronation Street actor Sam Aston , 31 (left)

If Michaela wins the show on Sunday night (March 9), she will become the first female winner since gymnast Beth Tweedle in 2013 (Beth pictured with dancer Daniel Whiston)

If Michaela wins the show on Sunday night (March 9), she will become the first female winner since gymnast Beth Tweedle in 2013 (Beth pictured with dancer Daniel Whiston)

Win or loose, Michaela said her only goal is one thing - for her and Mark to skate to Boléro

Win or loose, Michaela said her only goal is one thing – for her and Mark to skate to Boléro

Corrie star Sam, who plays Chesney Brown in the ITV soap, revealed Dancing On Ice has give him a newfound sense of confidence. 

He explained: ‘I definitely feel a lot more confident in myself. I will be taking that confidence back to the Cobbles.’

‘Yes, I can’t wait to see him (Sam’s character Chesney) dancing around at the kebab shop,’ Anton joked.

Bookmaker Coral marked Michaela as a frontrunner from the start of the compeтιтion, putting her odds for the final at 4-7, with Sam following behind her at 6-4 and Anton a 20-1 outsider.

Coral’s John Hill said: ‘Michaela Strachan is the odds-on favourite to win this year’s Dancing On Ice final, after the three finalists were confirmed.

‘She tops the betting ahead of Sam Aston, while Anton Ferdinand is the outsider of the three contestants remaining’.

Last week’s semi-final saw Dan Edgar and pro partner Vanessa James became the latest couple eliminated, just missing out on a place in the grand final.

The TOWIE star, 34, landed in the skate off alongside Anton after judges set the contestants the challenge of including a solo perfomance in their routines.

Also hoping for a chance at winning the coveted trophy is football star Anton, who said the show has 'completely changed his life' (pictured with dancer Anette Dytrt)

Also hoping for a chance at winning the coveted trophy is football star Anton, who said the show has ‘completely changed his life’ (pictured with dancer Anette Dytrt)

Corrie star Sam, who plays Chesney Brown in the ITV soap, revealed Dancing On Ice has give him a newfound sense of confidence (pictured with dancer Molly Lanaghan)

Corrie star Sam, who plays Chesney Brown in the ITV soap, revealed Dancing On Ice has give him a newfound sense of confidence (pictured with dancer Molly Lanaghan)

And despite his best efforts, judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Oti Mabuse and Jordan Banjo all decided to save ex footballer Anton.

Reflecting on his time in the compeтιтion Dan said: ‘I have had an amazing experience, I am very grateful for it. We did out best tonight and I walk away with my head held high’.

Read More Michaela Strachan, 58, ‘feels 20 years younger’ and is back in ʙικιɴιs thanks to Dancing On Ice article image

However despite the skating and judge Jordan’s dance group Diversity performing, viewers branding the show ‘boring’ and begged for the series to ‘call it a day’ – amid rumours plummeting ratings could result the compeтιтion being axed.

A source told The Mirror there are concerns behind the scenes that falling viewership could spell the end for the skating series after 20 years on air.

Dancing On Ice has lost over a million viewers in the last two years, with its 2023 launch drawing in 4.1million yet no episode this series has made it above 3million.

A source said: ‘There are very real fears this is the end of the road for Dancing on Ice. It’s had a good run for nearly 20 years and has a very loyal set of viewers who really love it but the sad truth is there’s just not enough of them.

‘We need bums on seats but the ratings have dropped to a point where it’s difficult to justify the cost.

An ITV spokeswoman told the publication: ‘The Dancing on Ice team is fully concentrating on the much anticipated series finale this coming Sunday and therefore no decision has been made.’

Dancing On Ice final airs live on Sunday from 6.30pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. 

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