Michael Barrymore and Maura Higgins for Dancing on Ice 2020

Strike it Lucky host Barrymore and Love Island contestant Higgins are the first two celebs announced for the forthcoming ITV series.

Michael Barrymore.

“I’m delighted to say that I’ll be joining the Dancing on Ice line up for 2020. I’m looking forward to meeting Holly and Phil. I’m very excited…it’s performance time!” – Michael Barrymore

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby are to once again return to present the show early next year with ITV teasing that across the week further personalities will be announced for next season.

ITV have already confirmed there are changes to the judging panel with Jason Gardiner, an original judge, departed with John Barrowman joining Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean and Ashley Banjo on the panel.

Dancing on Ice 2020, which returns to ITV in the New Year, will see Michael Barrymore and Maura Higgins don their skates, alongside ten other celebrities, in a bid to become champion of the ice.

Holly and Phillip return to host the 2020 series of Dancing on Ice.

Maura appeared live on This Morning on ITV earlier today (24th September) to reveal the news, while Michael appeared via video message. Each week the twelve celebrities will skate live with their professional partners in a bid to impress both the panel and the viewers, who will ultimately decide who wins the show.

Maura Higgins is a relative newcomer to the showbiz scene having appeared on the fifth series of ITV2’s Love Island while Michael Barrymore was a regular face on ITV from the 1980s to the 00’s presenting game show Strike it Lucky – regularly seen in repeats on Challenge TV – as well as his own entertainment series Barrymore. He also hosted music quiz My Kind of Music and variety series My Kind of People.

“I’ve skated once in my life for fun, so I’ve no experience at all. I’m up for the challenge. I’m more excited than scared. I’m competitive so I think that will drive me.” – Maura Higgins