Torvill and Dean lead Arena’s ice dance spectacular

May 3 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

STARS of the hit reality show Dancing on Ice wowed the crowd at the Echo Arena last night.

The skaters, including David Seaman, Gareth Gates and Bonny Langford, performed for the thousands of fans, and six more live shows now follow as part of UK tour.

Winner of the TV series Suzanne Shaw said: “It is great to be up north in Liverpool, we are expecting an amazing crowd. I love the new arena, it looks like a space ship from outside.”

Former Olympic champions and Dancing on Ice mentors Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean were pleased to be in the city.

Dean said: “It looks really impressive.

“Yes, it’s definitely the sort of venue I would have liked to have performed in and it is the first time we’ve been to Liverpool.”

Torvill added: “The seats appear to be very close which makes it nice and cosy and will certainly create the right atmosphere.”

It has taken 100,000 litres of water to create the 150ft by 60ft ice rink inside the riverfront arena and it took seven hours to install.

Each night a panel of judges will be rink side to critique the performances and the audience are given a chance to give their opinion.

Hollyoaks star, Chris Fountain, who lives in Liverpool, said it was great to bring the show to the city: “It is brilliant to bring it to a home crowd, Wembley was a bit quiet, but we know that won’t be the case in Liverpool.”

Gates added: “The tour is going really well and we are very happy to be in Liverpool.

“It has been such an amazing experience and it is great to be performing during Capital of Culture.”

FOR a full review of Dancing On Ice, see Monday’s Liverpool Daily Post.