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 onnie
Langford - Dancing on Ice
 Before
2005, if anyone had told me that at the age of 41 I would learn to
ice skate, I would have laughed my head off. But that's just what I
did! Well, both actually....the ice skating together with much fun
and laughter. Taking part in Dancing On Ice was one of the
highlights of my career so far and has opened up a whole new arena
and perspective for me. At first mention of the show, I dismissed it
completely because I thought it was potentially pretty dangerous
(which is correct) and beyond my capabilities (which is not
totally correct!).
Anyway, I played along with the idea for a while, out of all the
reality shows around at the time it seemed to be the most appealing.
I knew
it would be funny and I rather liked the opportunity to show that
relatively unknown funny side of me, plus Torvill and Dean were
headlining it. Their reputation was one of such excellence and
perfection, I knew they would strive to present a show of quality
and craft.
 I
had never even put a pair of ice boots near my 'ballet dancers'
feet, but I had a trial session with Karen Barber at a rink in
London. I was nervous enough before I arrived but the sight of John
Barrowman gliding effortlessly, and may I say a little theatrically,
across the ice made me want to hide in a corner and disappear! It
was a public session with 'Kamikaze teenagers' trying to impress the
girls with their speed and stopping skills - they get extra points
if they take out mature 'ex child stars' on the way!!! I was
terrified. With ice hockey boots and a firm grip of Karen's hand, I
ventured on to the ice. The first thing she taught me was how to
fall over - I think I knew that one already - and then get up - 'Do
I have to?'. I survived and heard later that I was to be the
reserve, or understudy, for the series. I thought that would be okay
as I could learn the skill without the pressure. Little did I know
then that Arabella Weir had broken her wrist and eventually, only 6
weeks before the first live show, she would no longer be taking part
and I was to step into her boots, so to speak. Sometimes ignorance
is bliss and in this case I am thrilled that I threw myself, almost
literally, into 12 weeks of the hardest but greatest experience.
 It
wasn't until we were all lined up to make our first skate entrance
for the live show that I even knew the finalists were expected to
skate' Bolero' - John talked to me about it and I said 'let me just
get through this week in one piece first before I even think about
that concept.' Now, I’m not a nervous person, but I was shaking with
fear that night and throughout the whole series. It was complete
high wire stuff - without any safety net and millions of people
watching. But the roller coaster was running and there was no
getting off - it was thrilling and terrifying all at once.
We had a lot
of laughs along the way. It was an eclectic mix of people - not only
the non- skaters, but the professional skaters that we were teamed
with. One of which was a skater from New York who was partnered with
Andi Peters. She was very straight-talking, with a broad Bronx
accent and didn't get the whole 'British' thing. During a
rehearsal on the studio ice rink, we were all lined up in our
'Results' line chatting and passing the time, when she turned to
Kelly Holmes (Olympic Gold medallist) and said, ' So what's with the
'Dame' thing? Is your first name Dame and your second name Kelly?'
 There
are many other stories of laughter, tears and tension. Not to
mention the injuries and accidents. I managed to crack my head on
the ice twice - after my first head butt to the ice, I felt as if my
brains were slightly jangled like the pieces of a jigsaw in the box
before you've put it all together. I was lying on the ice with my
head in my hands; Christopher Dean rushed over and immediately told
me to rest my head back on the ice 'It's the biggest ice pack you
can get'. I had never thought of that.
Nevertheless,
I made it through to the final with my gorgeous, talented and
patient ice partner, Matt Evers. The effect the show had on those of
us involved and those who watched it has been incredible. I feel
honoured
to have been part of something that has brought a new activity and '
ice family' to my world. They are so right to say 'Life begins at
40' although for me it should read 'Ice begins at 40-ish'.
Access the Dancing On Ice
archive here.
Courtesy of Granada
TV. Photographer: Ken McKay (www.kenmckay.com)
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