Dancing on ice

Behind the scenes of ITV1's hit show

So my little ice skating adventure is over. Whilst I am gutted on reflection I have to say it was right up there as one of the best things I have ever done, so absolutely no regrets. I would loved it to have lasted longer, and to go on improving on the ice, but it just wasn't meant to be. If someone had said to me a few months ago - you are going to train to be a skater but go out just a couple of weeks into the show - I would have still grabbed the chance with both hands. I am so lucky to have had this opportunity, so a big thank you to everyone involved in the show. It has been a real privilege working with such wonderful people as Jayne Torvill and Chris Dean, along with Karen Barber and Mark Naylor. My partner Andrei has been magnificent. He encouraged and supported me all the way, and was so gracious in defeat.

A lot of people have asked me whether I felt a kind of injustice for going out early in the competition; and whilst I am disappointed, it is only with myself, as I know I could and should have skated better on my first dance. I hoped that I had done enough in the skate off to squeeze through but Tim Vincent did a great job and was a worthy winner. I am so grateful to Karen and Robin Cousins for their vote; and hopefully I will be able to repay their faith in me on the tour later this year; we'll have to wait and see. One thing is for sure though I will not be hanging up the skates. I intend on skating on, because I have been introduced to something I love, so there is no way I am going to give it up. Besides I've got a whole new bunch of mates down at Streatham ice rink who I want to see again.

So who is going to win it? Well my money (even back in October) has always been on Gareth Gates. He is not the best skater (yet) but he is a lovely bloke and I think the public is going to see him really develop on the ice and see his real personality come through which is great. Chris Fountain and Suzanne Shaw both look fantastic on the ice, and Steve Backley and Sam Mumba have become good friends of mine, so I will be keeping in touch with them and pressing redial to keep them both in the series. Its shaping up to be a cracker of a competition, with plenty more excitement on the way; sadly its one I'll be watching from the audience or the sofa now but I'll still be glued to all the action.

Thank you to those who did vote for me, sorry that I didn't repay your support by skating better. I did LOVE LOVE LOVE every last second of taking part though.

Following a training period that started back in October 2007, I will be appearing in Dancing On Ice 2008....which I am so excited about! Its been a huge amount of fun, and quite a challenge all in one.

I am skating with Andrei Lipanov - who is the strapping Russian fella who came second last year with Claire Buckfield. No pressure then. He is a lovely patient chap, which is handy given that it hasn't exactly 'clicked' for me just yet!

Andrei said the other day that lifting me was 'like lifting Octopus' ...my arms have been flying round like a jumper in a washing machine. I am working on it though. Hard, I promise. Right now I am about as graceful as a baby elephant (the extent of my dance classes was a four year old chanting good toes, naughty toes in ballet class) so I have managed to persuade my friend Stacey Dawson - dancer extraordinaire - to teach me the finer points of poise. Gawd Bless er!

I am prepared to beg quite shamelessly for your vote, I need them. Badly. So here's hoping you find it in your heart!? Will keep you updated with all the action from behind the scenes.