Dancing On Ice’s Colin Jackson says he turned down the opportunity to have a same-sex partner

Colin Jackson has revealed that he turned down the chance to have a same-sex accomplice on Dancing On Ice.

The BBC presenter and former Olympic hurdler, 53, who got here out as homosexual aged 50 in 2017, is partnered with Klabera Komini on the ITV present. 

Dancing On Ice made historical past in 2020 with its first-ever same-sex pairing after Steps star Ian ‘H’ Watkins skated alongside skilled Matt Evers.

Talking in a brand new interview, Colin revealed that he might have opted for a male accomplice however he selected a girl as an alternative as he ‘will get on higher with ladies’.  

He advised The Solar: ‘I might have danced with a person on DOI. However I did not need to. I get on higher with ladies to be trustworthy. 

‘Me and my dance accomplice Klabera have an absolute blast. We’re guffawing on a regular basis – and sharing too many sweets – primarily wine gums!’

Colin, who completed as a runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005 with Erin Boag, continued: ‘Additionally I am a little bit of a traditionalist – after I was on Strictly I danced with a girl too.’ 

The presenter added that Ian and Matt have been ‘completely good’ on the 2020 collection and it was ‘improbable’ that they made historical past. 

Elsewhere, in a separate interview forward of the present’s launch this Sunday, Colin stated he wished to do Dancing On Ice as its a ‘life talent’.

He stated: ‘It is a life talent and the chance to work with true professionals who’re nice at what they do. 

‘It is an honour to have the ability to do this, there’s solely a certain quantity of people that get that chance and I am one of many fortunate individuals to have the chance.

‘So, for me, it is a private problem, a fantastic problem and with the perfect those who I might presumably ask to go on this journey with. I am trying ahead to that greater than the rest.’

Colin additionally spoke about when he appeared on Dancing on Ice Goes Gold in 2012, a one-off particular with Olympians, he added: ‘I believe actually it is unfinished enterprise actually. On that present we solely had very restricted time on the ice to try to study an actual talent. 

‘Doing the precise present provides you much more time to truly hone one thing and to study one thing correctly, extra in depth. For me I had a little bit of a taster again then, I might by no means skated earlier than and I’ve by no means skated since! 

‘I actually have not gone on the ice since however I actually want I had now. I will must relearn every little thing as it has been such a very long time. 

‘It genuinely feels brand-new, brand-new accomplice and every little thing so I am excited.’

The brand new collection of Dancing On Ice will see the judges protected by perspex screens and no studio viewers amid the continued COVID-19 pandemic. 

Newly launched pictures of the ITV present’s studios final week noticed giant screens positioned in entrance of the judges chairs to defend Ashley Banjo, John Barrowman, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.  

The judging panel may also be sat far aside, holding in step with social distancing measures.

For the primary time in its historical past the studio at Bovingdon Airfield in Hertfordshire may have no viewers, a transfer mirroring that of Strictly Come Dancing.

The skating celebrities may also watch one another carry out from socially-distanced tables to maintain everybody secure from COVID-19. 

Dancing On Ice 2021 begins this Sunday at 6pm on ITV.