Claire Sweeney denies Strictly experience will help Dancing On Ice

Claire Sweeney insists her ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ experience is “irrelevant” to ‘Dancing On Ice’.

The ‘Coronation Street’ actress is preparing to strap on her skates for the ITV1 competition show in January and though she took part in the first series of the Latin and ballroom dance programme back in 2004, she doesn’t think the skills she learnt there will make any difference because she’s so filled with “fear”.

Asked if her ‘Strictly’ experience will help, she told Prima magazine: “No – whatever experience you’ve had, it’s irrelevant if you have the fear.

“I’m struggling to stop and I get nervous doing anything on my left leg because I feel my right side is stronger, so I said to the team, ‘Can I get a routine for someone who skates on a right leg and can’t stop?’ “

The 52-year-old star – who has son Jaxon, eight, with former partner Daniel Reilly – admitted her past skating experience is limited too.

She said: “I remember going to a rink when I was a kid and my brother had an accident so we never went again.

“I’ve had a go on one of those penguin skating aids at Christmas, and now I’m looking forward to being able to go to Somerset House and skate in front of my son.”

And Claire doesn’t think she’s got any chance of winning the show.

Asked if she thinks she can win, she admitted: “I keep telling myself I have no chance.

“Ryan Thomas is so good – the first time he got on the ice, he could skate backwards and Greg Rutherford is amazing.

“He played ice hockey as a kid, so he was fearless.

“But you never know, I’ll have my own journey.”