Britain’s biggest loser, Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, almost turned down a spot on Dancing On Ice but is now surprising everyone with his skill on the ice. At 60 years old, Eddie is the oldest contestant on the show and is determined to prove that age is just a number.
Eddie, who famously finished last out of 73 jumpers at the 1988 Winter Olympics, is defying expectations by topping the leaderboard alongside DJ Adele Roberts. His performance of Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On A Prayer wowed the audience and cemented his position as a fan favorite.
Speaking about his skating abilities, Eddie admitted that he had very little experience prior to joining the show. He likened himself to Bambi on ice and had to focus on putting one skate in front of the other. However, his dedication and determination paid off as he impressed the judges and viewers alike.
In a surprising turn of events, Eddie joined Dancing On Ice as a late replacement for Gogglebox star Stephen Lustig-Webb, who broke his ankle. Initially unsure about accepting the offer due to the late start, Eddie embraced the challenge of catching up with the other contestants. He was surprised by the mental exhaustion he experienced during training but pushed through to give his best performances on the ice.
Eddie’s journey to fame began in 1988 when he competed in the Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. Despite finishing at the bottom of the rankings, Eddie’s underdog spirit captured the hearts of the nation. His story was even immortalized in the 2016 movie Eddie the Eagle. Now, Eddie is using his ski jumping skills to his advantage, believing they will help him secure the Dancing On Ice trophy.
With his infectious enthusiasm and fearless approach, Eddie is determined to embrace the challenges of the show. He even expressed a desire to attempt dangerous lifts like the headbanger, showing his commitment to pushing boundaries and entertaining the audience.
Eddie’s previous reality show successes, including winning Splash! in 2013 and appearing on The Masked Dancer in 2021 as the Rubber Chicken, demonstrate his ability to rise to the occasion. Despite initial doubts, he is now fully dedicated to becoming this year’s Dancing On Ice champion.
The nation eagerly awaits Eddie’s next performance, and it seems that he is prepared to go all out, even if it means being covered in feathers or wearing something that looks silly. Eddie’s goal is to make people smile and have fun, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that.
Dancing On Ice continues to captivate audiences every Sunday at 6.30pm on ITV.
