BURY soap star Jane Danson has been revealed as the ninth skater taking part in the new series of Dancing on Ice 2019.

The former Radcliffe High School pupil, famous for her role as Coronation Street's Leanne Battersby, revealed the news via a live link on today's Loose Women, ahead of the show's return to ITV in the new year.

The ice skating show see's 12 celebrities skate live with professional partners in a bid to impress viewers and the ice panel, and was last year presented by Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.

On joining the show, Jane said: "I've got a big birthday next month so I'm seeing it as a challenge for the fab 40.

"I'm just looking forward to it and trying not to think about being damaged. It's been a bit of a life long dream."

Jane will be donning her skates and sequins ready to compete against 11 other famous faces, under the watchful eyes of Olympic ice skating legends Jane Torvil and Christopher Dean.

Also confirmed to be taking part in the show are Gemma Collins, Richard Blackwood, James Jordan, Brian McFadden, Saira Khan, Ryan Sidebottom, Melody Thornton and Mark Little.

Jane will follow in the footsteps of fellow Corrie star and Bury native Antony Cotton who skated in the series' 10th outing in 2018.

Antony made an early impression when he appeared to look down his partner Brandee Malto's top and chided fellow contestants during a group rehearsal in the show's first weeks.

Then just days later Antony fractured his ribs in training when he and partner Brandee lost their balance while practising.

He was taken to hospital as a precaution but quickly returned to the ice to make it through to another week, before finally being sent home in shock double elimination after an unprecedented triple skate off.