BURY actor Antony Cotton it putting his skates on for the 2018 return of Dancing on Ice.

The Coronation Street star is taking time off from pulling pints at the Rover's to take to the ice, alongside 11 celebrities from the world TV, music and showbiz and their professional skating partners, in one of TV's toughest sporting challenges.

Speaking before this weeks maiden episode Cotton said he was "fiercely competitive" and ready to "embrace every sequin".

He said:"The most appealing thing about doing Dancing on Ice genuinely is that I’m very competitive and that I enjoy a challenge.

"I’m most looking forward to the learning process; I’m a great believer that you never stop learning.

"I’m also a real company person. I love being part of the Coronation Street family. So hopefully this will be a new tribe of people for me to be part of.

"It’s really dangerous. I’m glad that nobody has to pick me up, but the downside is I have to pick my partner up.

"I hope I don’t end up with a Russian shot putter as a partner. A 6ft Amazonian woman coming towards me.

"I want someone who is 3 foot, 3 stone that I can wing round.

"I’ve also got this weird fixation about slicing my fingers off. I don’t know why.

Cotton will be joined on the famous rink by Brandee Malto, a 37-year-old, American-born skater, whose credits include Disney on Ice and Robin Cousins' Ice UK Tour.

Some of the other celebrities skating in this year's competition are reality TV's Kem Cetinay, Great British Bake Off 2016 winner Candice Brown, and Cotton's Corrie co-star Brooke Vincent.

Describing his ice skating experience, Cotton said: "I’d say I’m a 1 now. I can go forwards, that’s about it.

"But the end of the series, the competitive side of me would like to be a 10, but in reality I’m hoping for a 7.

"I am really shy normally, and I’m often the last one on the dance floor.

"I think I’ll enjoy all the showing off, apart from the three minutes dancing! All the skating, training, playing up to camera, laughing, I will love.

"I don’t take criticism well, not in any way, shape or form. It’s not productive, it’s actually counter productive, and it doesn’t encourage you.

"Critiquing is slightly different. Luckily I’ve known Jason for many years – so we’ll see what happens."

Dancing on Ice returns to our screens after a four year hiatus, pitting celebrities and their partners against one another in a bid to impress a panel of judges and viewers at home.

The revamped show will boast some new and some returning faces from the original incarnation.

Original hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are back on presenting duties reprising the role that kickstarted their onscreen partnership.

Skating legends Torvill and Dean also return to the ice panel, sitting alongside Jason Gardiner and choreographer and Britain's Got Talent winner Ashley Banjo.

While ITV Racing's Matt Chapman is stepping away from the paddock to provide commentary.

Ms Willoughby said: "I can’t wait. There have been rumours the show was coming back for a couple of years and I was asked if I’d be interested if it were and obviously it was that bite your hand off kind of thing.

"Now it is, everyone does feel it is the right time to bring back Dancing on Ice."

Schofield added that he thinks Antony Cotton "will be fun" and the reboot, which is bringing a "whole new show" is "going to be amazing".

Dancing on Ice returns to screens at 6pm on Sunday January 7 on ITV.