Dancing on Ice blog

I will be writing updates here at least once a week and posting some of my own pictures, so please keep coming back to see what I've been up to. I'll keep you informed about how training is going and what it is like to be skating live on TV. Any votes will be greatly appreciated!

29th March 2010

So there we go, the Final of Dancing on Ice 2010. I hope you enjoyed it, I certainly did.

I expect many of you might go to see the tour, which will be a great night out I'm sure. Hayley, Gary, Emily and Mikey plus a few guest appearances and four names from previous years will be on the road battling it out over about 40 dates i think...I know those guys had training today, and will be nursing a bit of a Wrap Party hangover I imagine! It was a fun night!

 
Firstly well done to the three finalists, and of course particulr congratulations to Hayley and Dan who are very well deserved winners. She has been so consistent all series and the only one to get a perfect score. Kerion was coming up on the rails and is so funny and quirky and Gary so handsome and such an elegant skater. It was a pleasure to be there, especially as we only had to do our thirty second bit. It was so much fun to see everyone again and catch up on gossip and life with them all. It was a really nice atmosphere yesterday.

 
The only downside for me was another injury, well I suspect it was there when I left four weeks ago along with the shoulder but maybe not totally gone. If you were looking carefully you will have noticed Pav and I didn't do any of our big trade mark lifts.. well on Saturday during rehearsals I broke a rib!!

We had my favourite routine to "Fast Car" originally written and recorded by the lovely Tracy Chapman, and we were going to do the start with a pivot followed by a big spin lift and drape with the lovely edge work you still saw, finishing like before on one knee (that bit hurt a bit yesterday!).
During practise, on our first lift I felt it go and mentioned it to Pav; he's a tough cookie that bloke (strong and gorgeous too of course but tough he he) and just said it will be fine tomorrow. I didn't want to make too much of a fuss as me and injuries seem to have been a theme of this series and I really wanted to do our little bit. So I asked the Doc quietly to have a feel of my rib and he said he thought it might be broken.

 
On the way home I couldn't breath very well, and if i sneezed or coughed I was in agony so made a detour to hospital, where they said it was either a torn intercostal muscle or a break. They gave me loads of pain killers (codine really blocks you up; sure you all wanted to know that!) and more anti inflamatories! They wouldn't strap me or x-ray because the prognosis is the same either way and they have been instructed these days apparently not to radiate people unless they really have to... Rest, two weeks to stop hurting and six to repair and of course they told me not to do anything risky! They wouldn't strap because apparently shallow breathing with rib breaks can mean chest infections... so off home I went. The night was really uncomfortable and painful.

Next morning I knew I needed to see Sharon, our hard working physio. I wanted her to strap me up for support so we could do our bit but once she'd taken a look and felt around, she said she could feel a loose break and wasn't prepared to let me skate in case I punctured a lung! I really wanted to do my bit, we had been training a few times last week for it and i was really disappointed so she agreed to strapping but no lifts... and Pav or Mark by my side in case I slipped.....so hence the rather tame but nice routine! It felt a bit feeble but i'm so glad we were able to do something. Sadly now can't get the shoulder done under general anaesthetic because of the rib but apparently the specialist I saw can do it under sedation and a local so after Easter i hope to get that seen to as well.

 
Physically the show has taken it's toll but i've loved doing it all the same for the people i've met, the new friends i've made, the skill of learning how to skate; which i intend to show off one day in Rockefeller Plaza and getting to work with Pavel, basically doing something you really don't get to do everyday! Especially at 47! A real one off experiance...

 
We got told yesterday that Tracy Chapman had actually requested a copy of our performance to her track, which was so nice to hear. I loved that track....

 
So that's it, all done.... life will definitely be quieter. Work has started to pick up again and return to normal. It's always pretty busy here in this household but I will miss everyone. I intend to still skate down in Swindon, where they were so good to us. I will stay in touch with Pavel and many of the others. You really could not wish to meet a nicer bunch of people, except maybe Jason of course! His remark to Gary about his little girl was so out of order. He has no control over how they edit his VT any more than I did, or if we had a brown costume that week!.....Idiot, that's all i'm going to say! He wasn't at the Wrap Party.. surprise surprise. And he wasn't missed.

Finally just a HUGE HUGE thank you to everyone who helped with my journey, corny I know, but I make no apologies because that's how it feels. Not quite over yet, still have to get fit and well again but wouldn't have missed it for the world!

Please don't forget to visit the site. My day to day blog will take over now and the news section will be updated. We'll also add plenty of pictures and other bots and pieces too over time.

 

Sharron. xxx

 

 

27/03/10

 

Sorry not to have been overly informative over these last couple of weeks. Just been generally very busy and catching up on numerous things that couldn't have my full attention whilst still competing on the show.

 

It is the Final tomorrow night which everyone is very excited about. As many of you might know I backed Danniella to win and she went out at the semi final stage. I've spoken to her a few times recently and although she'd have loved to go all the way, she is just so pleased to have taken part and given it her best shot. I don't think anybody can deny that she became a lovely skater and a wonderful element of this years series.

 

I have been down at the studios for on-going physio as well as for rehearsals for our brief bit tomorrow night. And there is a strange atmosphere. The fact that only three are left means that where it was once buzzing with noise and people and humour and nerves, it is all relatively quiet now. It's a bit like being at school for a few more days after everbody else has gone home for the holidays! But they are working so hard and Hayley, Keiron and Gary really do need the time and space to prepare for what will be really demanding and spectacular routines.

 

The rest of us have 30 second segments to do and Pav and I will be taking ours from our 'Fast Car' (by Tracy Chapman) routine which means the black outfit will be coming out again. We loved that song and routine so it's nice to dip into it once again.

 

It's great to have another little go before putting it all to bed. Seeing Pav and working with him again has been so fantastic and just catching up with all the others from the show has been so much fun this week. I suspect tomorrow night is going to be a blast!

 

The shoulder is still not good although I am trying to give it every possible natural opportunity to improve itself. However an operation looks like the most likely course of action. I'd rather it weren't the case and I could do without all the rehab afterwards, but when needs must....! 

 

I will write a more full blog next week to round of the whole DOI 'journey' so please come back for a read. I also have more pictures to put up for you too.

 

And lastly - apologies if any of you were trying to email me recently and failed to send - my inbox had completely filled up and was blocking anything incoming for days. sorry about that. I have done a bit of spring cleaning now to create space again so please feel free to drop me a line.

 

Best wishes,

 

Sharron xx

 

11/03/10.

 

Life after the ice has been pretty hectic. Lots to catch up on but it has also been nice to have a bit of a rest too! I have even had time to indulge in normal activities like going to the supermarket, taking the children to the cinema and filling the recycle bins!

 

And the body has needed to recover as best it can. For those of you who have followed my Twitter (sharrond62) will know that I've had an MRI scan and we are looking at options for the shoulder. Apart from the long standing issues with it such as calcium build up from years of swimming, it looks like I suffered a rotator cuff tear at around Week 3 of the show. I don't want to be too gruesome but it had filled with fluid and blood and still needs to settle down. An operation to mend this tear is a possibility, whilst a significant period of rest and four weeks in a sling is another option.

 

Dancing on Ice has kept my insurance open for me and I have continued to see the marvellous Sharon who is the show's physio - so they have been great.  I am looking at 6 weeks rehab with Sharon and then seeing how we stand.

 

Of course I am still following the show and have been speaking to Danniella on the phone. Although she has been in two skate-offs she seems really cool about it adn unaffected. She is still doing a brilliant job and with so few people involved now it is almost inevitable people are going to find themselves in the bottom two at some point.

 

It has been brilliant to catch up with them when I have been back for physio but I must admit it is strange to find it all so much quieter!

 

Just added lovely picture of Pav and I performing a lift to my office wall. That will always bring back great memories (and funnily enough Jason will not figure in those memories!). And speaking of pictures I've got a few more to add here over the next few days - behind the scenes and on the ice. Please keep coming back to have a look...  

 

I wish the very best to everyone still skating and all those involved in the show...the final isn't far away now!

 

 

 

 

 

23/02/10. The Last Dance

So my TV skating journey has come to an end which is a shame but probably about the right time.

Ideally I'd love to have gone on for another week but I think that would have been my optimum level. The best four or five skaters are shuffling for position at the moment and they are looking great.

It has been a magical experience in many ways and a real privilege to have had the opportunity to learn this new skill, to do so with a partner as wonderful as Pavel and to get to know others on the show who have genuinely become friends.

Having said all of that I cannot deny that I'd have liked my final show to have been a better representation of the actual facts. Sadly that just did not happen and I admit that I felt set up as we watched the video before we took to the ice. It didn't come close to being a fair reflection of what had been going on all week. Drama and jeopardy are required elements of such TV programmes and clearly this fell right into the hands of the drama-makers. 

Friends of mine - who do know what has been going on - said they knew it was all over for me in those two minutes of video and, as I prepared to perform, I suspected as much also. But I was keen to still do our final number together as well as possible and to keep smiling. It wasn't easy!

So please indulge me for a moment as I set things straight and give you an actual account of events - events that never once involved disrespecting Chris or Jayne.

You might recall that Pav and I had a fast routine for the Valentine's Day show (one of the few that night who did) and we got through it ok, but not without physical issues sadly. As I wrote recently, a combination of painkillers and anti-inflammatories, as well as the cortisone injection were enabling me to get through the training and onto the show.

A fast piece meant not just doubling the time signature but doubling the impact on my injuries. When we met for choreography on Monday it was with the intention of trying to do the number we had been given but I was very worried about the shoulder which was getting worse. I took Chris aside and told him this and asked if we could have the Doc’s song as I knew it was a slow one and on the Friday show Chris had mentioned he could move music around once someone left. He dismissed that straight away. So I carried on with the choreography session trying new things and lifts and spins and one which caused real trouble to my shoulder which you might have seen on the VT when I swore (sorry). Sadly the very last thing I needed was another up tempo number. The only thing we could do was work with something slower - NOT easier, just slower so I felt in control of my right arm and could very much favour the left, which is what we did in our routine eventually.

We gave it a shot but it just wasn't going to happen. Having spent years in elite level international sport I have a pretty good idea about my body and at 47 it just does not recover the way it used to.

I have not achieved what I have from the age of 8 (when my swimming training started) to now, 40 years later, by taking easy options and not giving things my all. But experience has also taught me about limitations and when ambition and stupidity can be clearly identified and separated. When it came to a choice between show or shoulder, the shoulder had to win!

So I knew on Monday that a second consecutive week of fast paced training and performing was impossible. I didn't want it to be, but it was. Pav even mentioned on This Morning yesterday that every day he heard my shoulder clicking, grinding and coming out of the socket. He knew better than anybody else what we were working against and was just amazing in his understanding and attempts to work around it.

Like I say, I wish I could have cracked on with what Chris and Jayne had planned in its entirety but it wasn't an option. So when Chris's ear was anything but sympathetic (and as an old friend I was surprised and upset by this) I had to go to Production and put them fully in the picture. I told them exactly how it was and asked if we could have a slower piece to work to otherwise I wouldn't be able to carry on. It was a perfectly amicable conversation that was met with much understanding and sympathy. It was never a petulant ultimatum on my part, just an expression of unfortunate facts.

Production were terrific and said they couldn't see why it would be a problem to simply give us our song scheduled for the following week which was slower. And presumably that was 'Stay' by Shakespeare's Sister. So despite inferences in the video and elsewhere - we did not choose our own piece of music, it was given to us and was apparently the one we'd have been given this week if we’d stayed in.

Production went away to have a word with Chris and I was feeling more optimistic about being able to continue. The next phone call was bit of a shock. Chris was unbending and wanted us to continue with the quick number. Poor Pav instantly went into a mode of trying to work out how we could adopt and adapt things to have any chance of getting through it. But I knew that, with all the best intentions, it wasn't going to happen.

It was now Tuesday and with five days to go before the show I realised I had to let production know all the options to give them maximum opportunity to work around it and sort out the Sunday show line up. I hated the reality of the situation but I had to say “If we are made to persist with a fast routine that I cannot rehearse it would be better to issue a statement saying I was stepping down from the show”. This was meant to help DoI have as much time as they could to sort out things for their Sunday show, rather than leave it until Friday or Saturday and withdraw. I certainly wasn't going to be leaving anybody in the lurch and I wasn't stomping around making demands.

I also said I'd be happy to do one final routine on the show but when Philip was talking to me say that circumstances dictated it would be my last dance. I don't know what that would have done to voting but I was just trying to put options on the table - at least it would have meant a full cast for Sunday's show.

And regarding moving onto a slower number I asked production to explain it to all my fellow skaters and if even one had a problem I would step down again. I don’t believe they would have had an issue as we get a mix of fast and slow routines every show.

At no stage was this about working against anyone. In fact quite the opposite, it was all about working with the team for the best, most viable and practical outcome either way.

All we ended up with was the slower number from the coming week set with pretty much all the choreography Chris and Jayne had given us for the fast number with very sympathetic use of the bad shoulder. Chris said in the VT that he thought we were looking for a safer option - yes safer in terms of my physical wellbeing but in no way safer in terms of the shows requirements and being judged like everyone else; the scoring is still the scoring.

I've known and been friends with Chris and Jayne since before their supreme heyday and cannot stress how disappointed I was with this….. There was never a moment of disrespect over this issue, working with him and Jayne on their 'turf' has been a highlight and a memory that will always live with me. But there was genuine disappointment there wasn’t better understanding.

So on Wednesday we were finally able to start work with the new music we had been given. And with the shortened week in mind, the on-going ailments and Monday and Tuesday being spent not even knowing if I'd be taking part, I think we did OK on Sunday night. We produced the highest lift of the series so far (poor Pav!) and were happy with what we managed to do. We did the required element like everyone else. Considering all of this 16 wasn't a bad effort but I felt there was an agenda the moment the VT was played.

A sombre faced Philip's questions just picked up where the VT left off - it was all about us 'rebelling', going against Chris, “Nobody has ever changed their music in the history of the show”. Gasp! Shock horror! And as you can now see that’s not quite how it was. And anyway it is a family entertainment show - I had just attempted to run off with the Crown Jewels!

Nicky was constructive, balanced and reasonable but there was an air of doom even in his appraisal. Emma Bunton's comments amazed me. She just missed the point completely and continued the theme of the moment which was to make me look like I was acting up, going against Chris, trying to find an easier option, not trying and not being competitive. Nothing could be further from the truth, she has no idea how hard I had to try just to be there on Sunday. IN terms of competitiveness I will admit I've mellowed with the passing years and I didn’t enter DoI with the attitude it was the Olympic games… I’ve done my games, three of them, and all the ther major meetings and won my medals. I wanted to have fun and enjoy myself. So we just stood there listening. Angela said she had wanted to see big lifts but then didn’t even mention our biggest of lifts! We did try to make a good programme that worked to our strengths and with our height, which is always a tall order (joke).

 

In amongst all this misrepresentation, there seemed to be some kind of inference that a slower number was taking an easy way out. Is that to say all slower pieces are easier? If so then Pav and I had the hardest routine on Valentine's Day...which of course is not true! Personally I think slower numbers give you nowhere to hide and are far easier to pick apart.

 

Given the evidence presented and if I had been a TV viewer I would not have voted for me either! That is why these things can be frustrating. Ultimately, apart from 90 seconds on the ice, it is all out of our hands. Sometimes things work well and fall for you, then on other occasions you stand helplessly by whilst you are made to look humorless, overly competitive, or a rebelling Diva who is after an easier ride. From my films you'd never know that Pav and I laughed our socks off for months and that I have the most wonderful home life with three fantastic children.

So in review; There was never even a moments disrespect for Chris or Jayne and I wholeheartedly apologise if they felt that at all. But I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel let down. They are both legends in the skating world and it has been a real pleasure working with them. As you can now see we did not choose our music but were given it by production. We used Chris's choreography in the slower number. I did not issue any strident ultimatums, but simply had to tell Production the truth of the matter and give them some reluctant options. I could not have done consecutive fast routines and taken part in the show. I desperately wish that hadn't been the case, but it was a fact.

DoI have been brilliant and remain so. Despite being off the show they have arranged my MRI scan for Wednesday, and Sharon the Physio has been a Godsend for me and everyone else. She has worked so hard to do the best with what I was giving her! We suspects a shoulder operation will be required at some time but hope with rest we may be able to put it off for a while but the MRI will tell us more. After knee and back surgery I’m getting used to it, and they say sport professionals are healthy!!

I am so sad to leave the others behind. There were lots of hugs and tears afterwards in the bar and I will miss everyone so very much. Emily was particularly upset because she felt she had put me out. She hadn't at all. She just went out and did her best and that's all you are meant to do. She spent lots of time in my dressing room with me over the last couple of months and it was so lovely to get to know her and her family. Even when I cleared it out Monday there were still loads of her stuff in it! I will miss things like that. I will miss all the laughter.

Danniella has become a good friend, and I know we won’t lose touch.. We shared cups of herbal tea and discussed how we juggled our busy family lives. She is doing a brilliant job on and off the ice and I don't mind saying that, if I had to pick one, I'd like to see her win because she’s my mate. But it’s going to be a great final few weeks and they are a fantastic group of people.

There is, however, someone I won't miss. In fact if I never see him again it won't be too soon. I hardly need to spell it out but it has five letters starts with J and ends with N. Although I barely noticed at the time, he walked off set without shaking hands with myself or Pav as is traditional and courteous. In a way it was perfect - a final act of graceless ignorance from someone I'd expect nothing less of.

I gather from friends that he has taken to calling me names on his Twitter - some of which sound laughingly ironic. Again it just shows the 'class' of the man.

He made no effort to talk to any of us, doesn't know any of the participants or professionals on any level but loves his moment of sitting in judgment in the spotlight and earns his living out of making personal insults.

Of course these things are upsetting but they are relatively fleeting. And when such things are said and written by somebody whos opinion I neither respect nor value it means nothing and I refuse to stoop to the murky depths of his level. I'm really not too sure what he brings to the show other than a fancy dress wardrobe and peculiar array of neckware!

 

I must take this opportunity to - in true Awards Ceremony fashion - thank a few wonderful people who helped make my stint on the show the pleasure that it has mainly been. Karen and Mark for all their fantastic coaching which really helped all of us reach standards we thought might be beyond us!   Then there are people who the viewers will be unaware of but their work and help has been invaluable. Graham for fantastic ice cutting at the training rink and everyone at the Link Centre, Swindon for being so accommodating to Pav and I. And all those there who just came to skate but were so lovely to meet and who also respectfully and politely gave us our space to train. 

 

The make-up and hair department were fantastic and worked with me to not overdo things! Being overly 'tarted up' doesn't work for me and week after week they did a great job I thought. My runner Dom was an absolute star, he looked after me brilliantly. And Leanne my terrific coordinator was absolutely on the ball 24-7.

 

There was Steven who looked after our wardrobe on Gladiators and all these years later he was looking after my wardrobe again and still doing an amazing job along with his whole department. You can hardly believe the amount of stitching and sequins that are involved each week. Im going to miss my bit of weekend sparkle! It has been wonderful to catch up with Steven again and I'm so pleased Diane Youdale met him when she came down too. 

 

And final thanks and a big kiss to whoever it was who left two red roses but no message in my dressing room. XX to that mystery person! Hey...maybe it was Jason trying to make up!! OK, probably not...

 

So… I conclude by expressing my utmost gratitude to my friend Pavel. He has been so inspiring, motivating, positive, patient, kind, confidence building, calming, encouraging - not to mention really rather handsome! Working with him and becoming friends has been the most wonderful experience. The legacy of this whole journey will be my friendship with Pav and the others including the skating pros, who are amazing, as well as those that have gone before like Heather who have shown such determination. It’s been worth all the aches and pains. Pavel has gone straight back to Australia to be with his wife and two little ones. He has missed them so much and the best thing about our exit has to be reuniting them a bit sooner than was expected. I can't wait to see him in a few weeks though for the finale show.

And to you - everybody who has voted, emailed, chatted in the street - you have been the other reason this experience has been so worthwhile and why I pushed harder than my body was honestly happy with. I have been so grateful for the level of support. I'm sorry it ended in some controversy but please don't believe Sunday's portrayal of events, they weren't very close!

Please keep visiting the website. Although the DoI blog will be less active (I will be adding more as we approach the Finale and have another chance to skate again) but I do have a Day to Day Blog. From the bottom of my heart thank you so much to everyone. Keep visiting the website and keep in touch.

Lots of love Sharron. xx

 

PS.  I'm the friend who wrote the blog about visiting the show a couple of weeks ago and I'm going to grab this opportunity to stick my oar in! I've known Sharron for a long time and it has been wonderful to watch her train for and compete on DoI. Mind you I won't be missing the horrendous Sunday night nerves.

The other thing about being quite close to a participant on the show is that you see things away from the rink and the cameras. I was with her on Tuesday night when a single sneeze threw her back into spasm, brought her to the brink of tears and forced her to lie on the floor for 30 minutes. And I know she got home after a training session recently and had to ring the house to get somebody to come out and help her out of the car.

These are just two of many incidents that made it all the more galling to watch Sunday's show and to see and hear how she and circumstances were be portrayed. Watching the VT was like watching the guillotine fall. It was incredibly cynical and, to my eyes, looked like a stitch up. I was well aware of the facts as they rolled out as we'd been talking on the Monday and I was with her on Tuesday. Events, efforts and sentiments that were going on were not those shown in the film.

 

Don't get me wrong, it's not that she feels she has been diddled out of a chance to win the show. I don't think Sharron will mind me saying that she knew that was never really on her horizon. She knew that about half way was her sensible target.. But to go out under a bit of a cloud is a crying shame and has also created a false impression that the TV viewing public have taken as fact - fair enough as they don't have anything else to go on. There are so many strident opinions flying around forums and Facebook after Sunday, yet they're based on a complete falsehood. If people knew the truth they'd think, write and speak very differently.

I know that Sharron won't stoop to his level adn I don't blame her as the sharp descent might inhure her further, but I am quite happy to express what I know many people think. I think he is a blight on the show and I thought so before this series. I'm not saying he doesn't have fans, though I have never met one. Flouncing off before shaking hands with Sharron and Pav was nothing short of childish and pathetic. Whatever his peculiar reasoning was I suspect it only made sense to him. We shouldn't have been surprised though as I'm sure he is a man who has never knowingly failed to make a scene. 

 

He claims to make constructive comments - and if you really dig around and look hard he may have a point occasionally - but why does he insist on drowning those comments in such insulting phrasing, upsetting analogies and withering vocabulary. For example if somebody is struggling to portray the passion and sensuality a performance requires, why not just say that? Don't call her a “frigid schoolmistress” on live family TV with her four young children in the audience. It is cheap, easy, attention grabbing rubbish.

I know people in and around the show and can answer a question I and probably many others have been asked - What's Jason really like? He can't be that bad can he? All I can say is that, incredibly, what you get on screen appears to be the sad article you get in real life. So maybe in a warped way we can commend his spiteful bile-filled consistency.

 

I know people who have done Strictly Come Dancing and can tell you with some inside knowledge that Craig Revel Horwood is a genuinely is a nice bloke. Whilst he does of course play the 'baddie' of the panel he does actually offer constructive comment and moments of genuine wit. And away from the judges desk he genuinely cares about the contestants and takes a bit of trouble to know them.

Gardiner has nothing to do with anybody taking part and is a very shabby, sub-standard version of Strictly's Craig. Come on ITV, surely you can do better?

Thank you...I'm glad I've got that off my chest!

 

16/02/10

What an unusual way to spend Valentine's evening! If you were watching I guess that means you weren't being romanced at a swanky restaurant! I hope you had fun watching us cuddled up on the sofa with a nice box of chocolates at least...

I was really happy with what was a tough routine that didn’t play to my strengths as a 'Big Bird' or my ailing body with its fast tempo. Our final score of 15 might not have looked brilliant, but it was nice that the two skaters on the panel awarded us 3.5's… Jason and Emma gave me a whole point less. If they'd marked us up by only a half we'd have had the same as last week and I think a lot of people felt that would have been fairer, so on the whole I was pretty happy...with the jam packed routine, which was good fun.

Jason calling me an “android” and “devoid of emotion” yet many people have said I looked more smiley and relaxed this week again. He seemed to be annoyed at me for a minor flexion in my body during the final very difficult lift. Put simply I was hanging off Pav's neck supporting myself with one leg - no arms from either of us - whilst trying to look radiant and happy, and worrying about potentially flattening someone in the front row if I lost grip!! I'd have thought that was an OK effort for a 47-year-old with two prolapsed discs, an arthritic knee and dislocating shoulder who is not an ice skater. Gosh I sound ready for the knacker’s yard!! If I was a basset hound they’d put me down! It’s not that bad honestly.

You might have heard somebody in the audience shout “You do it then” when he was moaning about the final spin. That made us giggle and his retort of “I don't have to. And anyway I can”, was funny too. In fact I think I speak for several million people when I say we'd all love to see him do it. I know for a fact that Pav would gladly throw him around and put him in a few holds and spins! I’d pay to watch for one! Here's hoping eh?! That's enough of Jason I let his comments ride over me now anyway! On a good note Michael Ball was just lovely and I thought he did a great job.

Doctor Hilary left the show as you know, and we were all so sorry to see him go. I think he knew better than anybody that he was on borrowed time and was a little way behind in terms of skating skills. His partner Alex was great and I know he had a wonderful time, he worked really hard to do his best for what is obviously a great fan base and is in brilliant physical shape. We’ll miss him…and his jokes; the doc rocks.

My little Finley was the one making all that noise when Philip was talking to Ronan. We were waiting in the tunnel and I could hear my little boy crying which wasn't very nice. Pav did a great job of keeping me calm and focused though. It turned out that he had left his seat and was sitting on his big sister's lap. But because ITV didn’t want an empty seat in shot they were trying to sit him back in his place - and that caused him to cry for the first time in two weeks at the studio. Whoops…sorry Ronan.

Then when I had take to the ice and was just about to start, my gorgeous daughter Grace (who was only feet away) shouted “Go Mummy!” which was wonderful BUT unfortunately she did so right on my cue of the beat ( the first “hey” from Belinda Carlisle) which caused me to go early with my initial arm movements! Oh well - not to worry, it was just great to have so much vocal support at rinkside and so many of you voting for me I can’t thank you enough. It’s really very humbling to know that people are getting behind us and it is really what keeps us going.

I admit that it is getting harder…of course, as it should. I don't want this to be the 'woe is me' bit but I do want to be honest with you and keep you up-to-date. I am currently taking the maximum allowable amount of painkillers and anti-inflammatories just to get through the training and performing. The knee, back and right shoulder are struggling so it is just a case of managing as best I can whilst trying to make the most of the rare moments of rest. I had my first complete day off in nearly three weeks today!! Spent most of it at the local health club watching the kids swim and sitting in the steam room or eating pancakes! Bliss….

Normally I'd dose up late in the evening to get through the night, but on Sundays I take my second dose at 5pm so they are having optimum effect for the show. It is working so far, but the downside is I wake up at 4am every Monday morning in absolutely agony when adrenalin and pills wear off.

These are old injuries, that have plagued me for a few years now and have required operations on my back and knee, there is likely to be further surgical work to come I think with the shoulder sadly once I finish the show. But the intense training for the shows and the fact there is no recovery time has inflamed things a bit. We are doing our best with medication and trying to adapt our training and performances so they don't stop my body completely! I promise to keep going as long as I can. If only I was twenty years younger! O’ yeah say all of you, me too… ha ha

It looks like we might have another up tempo song this week, which we could probably do without. I'm sure most of you have been injured from time to time and you'll know that slower controlled moves allow you to contain or tolerate that injury better. I know the show is keen to try and help where they can and have been great with getting me treatment from Sharon, our magic physio and the hospital…. like the cortisone injections two weeks ago. I'm not looking for anything to be easier technically. Often slow numbers can be harder as you can’t hide behind dancing steps. And this is a competition after all, but something I need something that my body can physically cope with at the moment which will enable me to train and try to put in a good performance. We’ll always go for the big lifts and high spirals…but just protect the shoulder as best possible.

As I said earlier your support and encouragement makes bearing these aches and pains far easier. In fact they are probably the best painkillers of the lot - thank you!

I'd like to mention that Pav had been horribly poorly last week with gastroenteritis, which is totally miserable, and has gone through the camp ( brave Alex was very sick last Sunday night and still went on with the doc). Pav did brilliantly to get himself and me through the week. And not only that but he wore pink for the first time in five series of DoI; maybe the thought of that brought on the sickness! But you know what they say - only real men can wear pink!

A quick reminder that I am on Twitter ( when I remember). You can join me at sharrond62 if you are interested and visit the BBC sport relief website for tips on the mile run on March 21st http://www.bbc.co.uk/sportrelief/news/160210 davies.shtml come on get your trainers on for a very good cause!

Love and best wishes,

Sharron xx

  

11/02/10

 

Just a quickie...I'm on the Dancing on Ice Friday show with Dr. Hilary tomorrow at 8pm. Try and tune in if you can. 

 

 

My latest report is below but I'm going to hand this next bit of blog space to my friend Guy who came along to the show on Sunday. He is a writer and we thought it might be nice to give you a guests perspective of the Dancing on Ice experience.

Firstly I must say thanks to Sharron for inviting me along on Sunday night. Guest numbers are very limited and I'm sure there were many more worthy invitees. Though probably none who would have kicked up a fuss and sulked quite as much.

It was a great night and one that thankfully culminated in not just a wonderful best-so-far-routine, but a successful phone vote too. I have been to see Sharron and Pavel training and we've had many conversations about the whole experience, which has given me a pretty firm grasp of the time-input and physical and emotional investment that is going into this whole process. And however hard they work and whatever positive comments and scores the judges provide, it means little without public backing. I know Sharron goes to great lengths to thank all of you who read these blogs and pick up the phone on a Sunday night, and I can hardly do justice to how thankful and appreciative she really is.

And speaking of votes, I was paralysed with nerves as Philip read out the names in that ponderous high drama way of his. I promise you the pauses between “The next couple to be saved is...” and the names is even longer when you are watching it live. And when he did finally say “Sharron and Pavel” I raised both arms and shouted louder than at any time since Jonny Wilkinson dropped the goal the won England the rugby World Cup.

But that was towards the end of the night, and the day for guests starts much much earlier. I went along with my friend and Sharron's old Gladiator buddy Diane 'Jet' Youdale. We were sent formal details of where to go, who our designated contact was and advised to arrive between 3pm and 4.30pm with no access after that time - whoever you are and however far you have come.

The holding area is a large comfortable room with a full bar which seems like a real bonus initially but, for reasons I shall come to, does not necessarily lend itself to events that follow.

So all families and friends and visiting celebrities are together in the same room which means lots of photo opportunities and general chit chat along the lines of “Who are you here with?” and Oh they are doing so well...” , and in the Doc’s case, “ Gosh he’s still here!”. Actually I did talk with the man who owns the rink at which Dr Hilary skates. He said that nobody is under any illusions about his skill levels (in comparison to the other celebs) including the Doc himself (and having chatted to him later I can vouch for that), but it certainly isn't through lack of time, effort, application and determination. It was also interesting to hear that Sinitta trained at the same rink and has continued to do so ever since. So her Week 1 ejection clearly hasn't put her off the sport which is good to know.

Gary Lineker was there, Ricky Groves, rugby league legend Ellery Hanley, David Seaman, and the actor who I'm told is Max from Eastenders. I hope I've got that right!

Pixie Lott was the musical entertainer for the evening and I met her cousins who were good fun and seemed to know absolutely nothing about who was doing what,when, where and how.

At around 5pm we were all herded from the hospitality area outside around various buildings, passed the remains of the surprisingly small Big Brother house, to the studio. Sharron was leaning out of her dressing room window to give us a wave as we went by...and looking remarkably relaxed, though maybe that had something to do with the dark and the fact she was three floors up.

Guests of participants are sat in a designated area and have most of a row each. If you look at the judges table head on we were in the VIP area to the right - that is where most of the noise comes from and the banner waving.

There is a really nice group feeling to be in amongst everyone else. Obviously we were all there to support a specific individual but there was definitely a collective sense of good will to all. I had Danniella's party in front of me and Mikey's behind and as a result you find yourself developing an on the spot allegiance to those folks too.

And with an hour to go there is plenty of time to talk to those around you. Not only that but you get to see up close the set which looks spectacular and flawless on TV but under more detailed inspection looks like it might have taken a battering during an early series of Dr. Who, like a lot of sets I imagine. A warm-up man come MC did a great job of keeping us entertained at the same time as running us through what was happening and when and what was expected of us. Philip and Holly came out for a quick chat and then Jayne and Chris appeared for a skate-around and limber up prior to performing with Pixie Lott.

It might be a couple of decades since their magnificent hey-day, but to see them skate in the flesh and only a matter of feet away was very special. And Pixie was great too. As a 40-year-old Prog Rock fan I might not fall within her natural demographic but she did a great job and has a lovely voice.

The warm up man - who came over as a kind of North London version of the American comedian and actor Mel Brooks - continued to talk to us throughout the evening in the ad breaks and during the main break between the two shows. We knew exactly what was coming and what to do and whether we were cheering loudly enough or even booing Jason loudly enough! Actually at one point we were told our booing of Jason was a bit tame, then I noticed on Philip Schofield's Twitter he said it was a pity Jason got booed even for mild criticism. Seems like we couldn't get it quite right!

The scale of the production is impressive. There are all kinds of fixed cameras, steady-cams, boom cameras and gantry cameras and engineers all over the place, some 30 ft off above the ice, to ensure they work perfectly along with the sound and myriad of lights. Behind what you see as the set and seats must be hundreds of miles of cable and more computers, boxes of switches and lights, mixing desks and perplexing circuitry than on the set of Star Wars. It really is a vast undertaking to get this thing out on the air live and to look as effortless and seamless as it does.

Then the skaters all appear for a skate-around and we get a chance for final good lucks. Before the serious business starts. And you know what happens next. Each couple skate, we all cheer, wave banners and compliment those around us if they are connected to the skater. Lots of cheering or booing the results as they are given and much the same for the judges comments. However what the TV viewer never sees is that the skaters then go and sit on a bench just to the right of the entry tunnel and remain there for the entire show.

As each couple skate the finished celebs and pro's are up on their feet and just as vocal in their support as we are. And when each couple returns to the bench area they are greeted with kisses and big hugs all round. Sharron has told me often how they have generated a real sense of family and to see first hand that level of genuine uncontrived and unforced support really underlined that. If anyone is being competitive in terms of aiming to 'see off the opposition' it certainly isn't evident. I suspect everyone feels the same way as Sharron - that they genuinely wish each other all the very best and are only in competition with themselves. Just doing their best and improving week by week is more important that beating anybody.

Now I mentioned earlier that the provision of a bar in hospitality was a bit of a double edged sword. And the reason for that is - toilet breaks don't really exist once we have taken our seats, until the gap between the two shows. That is three hours! Of course some people found that they had to go and made a dash for it during the live ad breaks, but they re not popular with the audience minders who swoop to fill vacant seats briefly to prevent cameras catching any empty seats in shot. And if anybody is away too long there seats go to the reserve audience outside who are ready and waiting to fill vacancies.

The girls charged with minding the audience have a tough task. They have to have a stern and rather joyless air of authority to either keep people in their seats or to fill them rapidly when necessary.

Philip and Holly do a good job of bringing an relaxed natural feeling to the a presenting role that is 90% fed by auto cue. Reading and not sounding like you are reading is more of a skill than many might think.

During the main break there is a mass collective sigh of relief (in various senses) and we are given free doughnuts which can never be a bad thing. Although the break is an hour we had to be back in our seats in 30 minutes or risk 'the toilet police', as they became known to those around us, springing into action.

The results show was horribly tense as I described earlier. Diane and I clung to each other like scared seven-year-olds until we heard the magic words “Sharron and Pavel”. We found it tough so goodness knows what is was like for Sharron's mother, brother and daughter Grace who were alongside us. Three-year-old Finley was there too but seemed more interested in licking my face and waving banners than getting unduly emotional about the unraveling events. In fact there was a lovely moment after Sharron and Pav had skated. In the momentary gap between all the cheering subsiding and Philip speaking Finley piped up in a very clear little voice, “Well done Mummy”. I really hope that was picked up on the mics.

As mentioned earlier, not only have the skaters got a very strong bond but even our groups of families and friends quickly formed something similar. So although Sharron was safe, we started to get nervous all over again (admittedly not quite to the same extent) for those remaining in the 'line of fire' and then in the skate-off.

The nature of the show means it all has to end rather abruptly for someone - otherwise the series would be infinite and the budget may not stretch that far - but it is genuinely sad to see anyone leave and I can see why fellow participants seem to get quite emotional when it happens.

After it goes off air the skaters stay around on the ice and meet up around the edge with their guests before slipping off back to their respective dressing rooms. We are then encouraged (and it didn't take much) to go back to hospitality for a post show drink and mingle with numerous people who have just endured the same roller coaster of emotions, nerves and elation that we had.

This time the skaters and the pro's join us too along with the judges (except Jason!) and everyone is part of one big convivial group. There was a lovely inclusive atmosphere and everyone is talking to everyone else. Obviously Diane and I spent most time with Sharron and her family and Pavel too of course. But we had a good natter to Dr. Hilary (who was very self deprecating and, in the nicest way, slightly bewildered to have been saved again!) and Hayley and Daniel. Hayley had been clearly shaken by her tumble on the ice - not so much because of any real pain or injury, but more because of what might have happened. Shock often works that way. I don't know what the cameras picked up but when it happened (right in front of us) and they gathered themselves Dan said “Do you want to go on and shall we do the lift”. She said yes and the 'headbanger' conclusion to the routine actually took on quite an emotional significance.

I chatted to Mikey, who knew he hadn't had his best night but seemed determined to go for big improvements this week, and Heather Mills. It turned out she knows a friend of mine who lost a limb in Afghanistan last year. I think she was very accepting of the fact she'd gone as far as she could go in the show. It is no secret that there are public perceptions about her that are not very positive, but what she did on Dancing on Ice was very impressive by any standards and she handled herself with plenty of dignity as well as generosity at the end.

And then it was all over and back to a life without camera's, lights, chats with boy band pop stars and free doughnuts... Thanks Sharron it was all great fun and a real privilege to share it with our pal Diane and your family. Keep up the great work with Pav!

 

 

Sharron, Pavel and Diane (who hasn't changed has she?) checking out the weeks schedule. Sharron seems quite happy about it! Diane works for the BBC at took the opportunity to interview Sharron & Pav. 

 

 

Here is Diane on set and we're ready to watch Sharron and Pav do their thing. Although Di' came dressed for the cold it's actually quite warm in the studio! 

 

10/02/10

We had a great night on Sunday and I hope you enjoyed it too if you managed to watch. Things came together really nicely, the routine, the song, the whole vibe and we managed to perform our best programme so far.

For well documented reasons it had been a bit of a turbulent week but we stayed focused throughout and even though training didn't really start in earnest until Wednesday we felt comfortable in our toughest routine so far. Pav was superb as ever in working with me, instructing, encouraging and making me laugh and once the shoulder had settled down it made training much less painful.

I'm so pleased it came together and that my mother, one of my brothers, Gracie and Fin as well as some good friends were there to see it. For me it was the most enjoyable show so far, and I think that probably showed in my face.

We got a great response from the studio crowd and the judges quite liked what we did. Even Jason gave us a 3 and didn't say anything too unnecessary. Although he did call me “large”!! But never mind, as we all know, it could have been worse! He did have some constructive things to say too and we’ll keep on working on what the judges suggest.

It was such a relief to have the public vote too and I am so grateful for that...it really makes the blood, sweat and tears of the week worthwhile. Keiron and Heather had their first taste of a skate-off, never fun for any one, and I think Heather realized she had come to the end of what her leg would let her achieve. I'm sure she will miss the challenge but she has done a fantastic job. She also has all sorts of plans for her and Matt and skating, so she will still be on the ice I know.

Hayley's tumble came as a shock to everyone not least herself. She was a bit tearful for a while afterwards, but it was brilliant that she completed her routine and went for the scary Headbanger move. It shows anything can and does happen on a Sunday night.

So far this week is going well. Monday's choreography session was fine, though we have been given a rock number, not my first choice! I suspect the costume might be a bit striking and 'rock chick'! I'm really going to have to keep trying to find that performer within me. It doesn't naturally reside there but I will do my best!

Four hours skating in Swindon yesterday (Tuesday) has left me feeling a little more confident than this time last week, due to hospital visits we had not been on the ice yet. There are three brand new moves/elements to master as well as the required element which is a step sequence danced on our own from one end of the rink to the other. I've done a reasonable amount of skating on my own in other routines so I hope it will be ok, but of course the steps are harder again! Hope not to trip over my “large” feet!

Boring I know…, but my back (which is another long term issue!) has been bit of a problem and spasm-ing! I really am rattling with painkillers and anti-inflams. But it is all about managing these issues and working with them and around them when we are training and performing. Others are doing the same. Sharon (physio) and Pavel have had a good chat and we go slowly if there is a risk it might flair up, so we can change hold or direction of spin etc. I hope we can continue to do so. Though I had to be helped out of my car yesterday and I can't afford to let that happen just before a show. Age and overuse of some joints....bit of a bummer!

We do have a difficult lift to on Sunday and I really need my various limbs to hold up! I don't know if you remember but Danniella performed a tough lift a couple of weeks ago and it was much talked about as they hadn’t had a chance to do it until the Friday. Well we are doing that one this time...but without arms so I'm going to have to hold on to Pav with only one leg, which is pretty tough but rather exciting! Watch out front row…ha ha, hope not!

The other interesting aspect of this week is that we have a group ice dance for the first time to celebrate Valentines. I don't know how good it will be on the night but we're certainly having a bit of chaotic fun with it so far! I'm sure it will come together, but so far there have been loads of laughter, so much so I ended up crying with it on Monday - you know the way you start and just can’t stop... A really good belly laugh; Brilliant!

Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who has been voting for me and helping Pav and I continue to enjoy this amazing experience. I will write again later in a few days and give you an update of the weeks events.

Love and best wishes to all.

Sharron xx

 

05/02/10

This week has been a little bit different thanks to about 10 seconds of judging last Sunday! But it hasn't been a distraction and Pavel and I have had a couple of great sessions at our 'home' ice rink in Swindon. And today we moved onto the studio to work with Karen, Jayne and Chris, which is always really enjoyable.

We're working hard on a routine that is once again a step up from the week before - pretty much literally this time with me up in the air for large parts of it! There are three spinning lifts and a Pairs Spin too, so I've got to make sure my 'sea legs' are OK. Actually I have been taking sea sickness pills to combat the effect of all this spinning, and I'm not joking! It's the kind of thing the body can become conditioned to over time, but for us newcomers we don't have the time and have to do what we can not to get dizzy and feel sick!

I had a cortisone shot in the shoulder on Monday and that seems to have been very helpful, thank goodness. A lot of the girls have been talking about bruised painful ribs as a result of body positioning during some of the lifts and spins. Until now I've been thinking, 'My knee and shoulder might not be too clever but at least my ribs feel fine...' Well they joined the aches and pains party this week! It's all because of a certain lift with very fast spin, but it's a discomfort we all seem to be sharing and nothing that can't be battled through with some strapping and paracetamol I hope..

Pav and I are looking forward to putting the finishing touches to the routine over the camera blocking day and rehearsals on Sunday. It’s amazing how it all sort-of comes together, but last moment!! Making us all scared it won’t be done in time.

The incredible amount of support I have received and the level of outcry about certain remarks on Sunday have been a real boost. I will try my very best Sunday with a very tricky routine.

I notice some national papers picked up on aspects of my blog and fanned the flames of the issue a little bit, but that is the way of these things. I've been in the media game long enough to know what can happen and have to accept that emphasis and gravity can sometimes be added where it hadn't originally existed. Jason and I have spoken and he has apologized publicly and privately so we move on to Sunday…and more skating in a different colour costume!

Thank you so much for all your kind support over this matter and for your encouragement when I’ve bumped into you in the supermarket etc, it really is a massive help.

I hope you watch and enjoy the show on Sunday, it will be a taxing one for all of us, and I hope Pav and I can keep going for a while longer. It really is a wonderful experience. I love being with the other celebs who have become mates and doing something that I will probably never get the opportunity to do again.

That makes me very lucky….

Love,

Sharron x

 

02/02/10 Flushed with Success!

Sunday night turned out to be rather more incident packed than I anticipated But at least it didn't involve a skate-off!

Obviously it will remembered mainly for Jason's comment which has subsequently led to quite an outcry and floods of complaints to Ofcom and ITV. Not only that but Jason has taken quite a battering in the media and on websites and forums and I can't say that I'm too sorry!

We are all taking part in a physically and mentally demanding Sunday evening FAMILY entertainment programme. Surely that is not the place for crude and unconstructive comments? Even by his standards he has taken his role of pantomime villain too far and now just seems determined to shock.

I lost two days of training last week thanks to shoulder issues, yet Pavel and I still managed to make out highest score. Pav was amazing and always insisted we'd make our personal best, but there were times when I really wasn't so sure. Big hugs to him… The fact we achieved that seemed to be entirely lost on Jason who saw fit only to make a repellent comment based on the colour of my costume - which is something I have no input on anyway!

Vulgar and personal criticism is not very nice and I think most of us have got the hang of ignoring Jason's opinions (and he is pretty easy to ignore behind the scenes too as he doesn't mingle at all with any of us and always leaves straight from the show), but we should be judged fairly on things that matter, not clothing colour! I know all too well I have loads to improve on but I am willing to try hard to learn and appreciate any and all constructive advise.

He seems to have no grasp about the wider impact of his attention seeking comments. How can you say somebody looks like a “frigid schoolmistress” when she has four children in the audience and is a regular, if super fit mum who loves her family first and foremost? Or describe me in the way that he did when I have two children at school as I had already mentioned on the Friday show after the tree comment.... this is probably what bothers me the most. Not my personal hurt but theirs potentially. His answer to that was “Get a grip”. Amazing eh? I hear he’s looking to foster, well I’m not too sure he understands what makes a good parent then if that is his answer.

An apology has been released into the press today by ITV using rather feeble language such as - “If I caused offense...”.“If” ?! The avalanche of formal complaints and comments sent to me and official bodies suggest there is no if about it! And I know I was offended. It would be nice to get a direct apology from him but nothing has been forthcoming yet. I would not let my children talk like that… and have never called someone that in my life...

I would like to thank everyone so much for all their support and kind comments. I am so touched by the way people have leapt to my defense and will try to repay that by doing my very best on the show. And who knows...maybe I can even make Mr Gardiner eat his words! I know I need to smile more. I promise it’s not because I’m not enjoying myself it’s just that I am concentrating so hard and have no formal performance skills, but I will get better at it.

And talking of support it was lovely to catch up with Jessica last week and hear about her experiences, her encouragement was really helpful. She is blossoming and looked gorgeous. I wish her and Kevin loads of love with baby number one. My old mate Tessa Sanderson came down, she didn’t hear Jason’s comments but that’s lucky for him or if I know Tess she would have had to have a quiet word in his ear!! He He.... Olympic long jumper Jade Johnson has been in touch too with some kind words. She has just been through Strictly Come Dancing (sadly pulling out with a knee injury), and knows all about the commitments and pressures of doing this kind of thing. This week my old Gladiator friend, the lovely Diane 'Jet' Youdale, is coming along to support me so I'm looking forward to catching up with her. Gary had a little crush as a teenager so I’ll introduce them with the permission of his beautiful wife of course!

Our new routine seems really nice and is another slow/medium number, which I think suits us. However it really is quite challenging - mind you we all say that every week don't we! There is a lot of edge work, the required element is a pair spin and there are lots of long lifts which makes it tough on Pav. I'm probably up in the air for about a third of the routine and also moving rather than just being in a hold. So once again it will be a step-up from the previous week. Right now it looks like another mountain to climb..

I had a cortisone injection in my shoulder on Monday and have had Tuesday off to allow it to settle. So we have a shortened training week again, but I'm looking forward to Sunday and seeing if we can beat our last score. I’d love not to have to do the skate off. Our valentines show, I think, has a group routine with all of us in so I’d love to do that one. Danny has consistently been one of the best skaters but there he was in the bottom two so you can never second guess who is going to be safe and who will be skating for their place. We all hate losing someone every week.

It was sad to see Tana go. She was enjoying her skating and I'm sure could have gone on to better things too... I gather she has been on a few shows since Sunday and has spoken up for me in the face of Sunday's situation. I appreciate that a great deal. She has the most amazing tummy especially as she has had four children - well done girl!

Although I'd rather not be employing her efforts at all I'd like to thank Sharon our amazing physio who has been brilliant with keeping me ( us all really; busy lady!) in working order and of course the hospital yesterday for fitting me in so quickly. The consultant asked how old I was and once I’d told him 47, he said “see once you get to 45 it all starts falling apart,” so there we go...so much to look forward too, he he.

We are all juggling our normal lives, taking on hours of hard training work, bumps and bruises and some of us looking after families too. We are not skaters. We go on live TV and have a go at something we have no background in, totally out of our comfort zone, and in most cases only started skating just three months ago.. We expect criticism from judges and are very willing to listen, take it on board and work on it...just as long as it is honest, constructive and delivered in a fair way (and nearly all of it is).

When they are vindictive and attention seeking I think they are best ignored.

Incidentally I notice Jason's website is 'temporarily unavailable'...funny that!

Thanks for all your support it has been a HUGE help; onwards and forwards, but maybe not in brown!

Love, Sharron xx

 

29/01/10

Things have been looking and feeling a bit better than when I last wrote on Tuesday. I really was suffering from aches and pains and some doubts based around those dreaded old injuries flaring up. However thanks to some rest, physio and painkillers this week I've reached this stage with much more optimism.

Obviously a day off isn't ideal for the whole process of learning a routine but sometimes it is what the body needs. And today was the first day this week that I feel like we've now got the routine down and the emphasis now needs to be put into the performance side. And those of you who have been reading these blogs will know is not my forte. But I am trying hard to improve that side of things….soft arms!

In fact our routine this time really demands it. It is quite slow and artistic and emotional and I have to stare at Pav a lot...which is fine, but it's a kind of acting that is totally alien to me. I keep focusing on his ear, or hair or chin...anything except his eyes! He does the fingers eyes things a lot, it’s bit of a joke now between us. You know; look here!

I had a lovely surprise today in training. Pav had arranged for Jessica Taylor to visit and have a chat with me. She was Pav's partner last year and did wonderfully well. We've met and talked before but it was lovely to have her at the rink sharing some of her recollections, observations and advice.

The less constructive bit about today was taking a tumble which involved having 100kg of Pavel landing on me. It could have been very nasty but thankfully we both seemed to get away with it - although I am wearing a couple more black, blue and yellow 'medals' right now to add to the collection!

We filmed yesterday for Sunday's VT. I won't give anything away, but I think I might finally be getting my wish granted of having a more accurate version of life in the Davies household these days...fingers crossed anyway!

Tomorrow is back to the studio for all the work with lights and cameras and a good opportunity to further ingrain the routine; what we call blocking.. Thank you for all your support and concern. My shoulder is an ongoing problem which I think next week I’ll have to do something more about if I’m still in and probably even if I’m not.

I'm looking forward to Sunday more than I thought I would be earlier in the week, and hope I can do a good enough job to carry on for a while yet - though maybe that depends on how often Pav is going to fall on top of me in training! Ha ha. If I do a good session I get some special schnapps so it’s not all bad!

Enjoy the show.

Sharron xx

26/01/10.  Another skate-off but skating on...

18/01/10. Boys Night Out

It was the boys turn on Sunday and that made for a much less tense and more relaxing night for us girls! Having said that we really have become very close as a group and although we we weren't skating I think we were still carrying 'sympathy nerves' for the boys. Of course we all knew exactly what they were going through and I think we skated every step with them.

Inevitably nerves played a part in some of the performances as they did for us last week, but the standard seemed really high and everybody put in a great performance. I suspect one or two might have even been over-prepared and probably didn't attain the heights they had managed in practice. In sport it is certainly possible to over prepare and rather than peak at the moment of performance, the best can be left on the practice rink, pool, track or gym. Timing is absolutely key and it isn't always easy to get just right.

The phone vote results still got the heart racing even though I was just a bystander this week. For a moment it looked like Gary and Mikey were going to be in the skate-off which would have been a huge shock. At this early point of the series they have both shown themselves to be a couple of the most able and hard working skaters. As we well know, the public vote means that anything can happen and nobody is ever safe - a fact that will keep us all on our toes as long as we are involved!

As it was Mikey was saved and Gary went up against the wonderful Bobby Davro. At that point I think we knew what the likely result was going to be and Gary duly got the judges vote. So although we were saved the scenario of losing one of the better male skaters immediately, the show has lost a huge presence and talent in his own right. Bobby knew he was not the best skater on show, but he gave it his all and brought plenty of fun and showmanship to his performance.

To be honest I'm amazed he even found himself in the skate-off. We all believed the public would save Bobby for the fun he brings and for the potential of watching him develop as a skater for a few weeks; which just goes to show we really have no idea what is going to happen once we have done our stuff on the ice.

My daughter Grace joined me again and this time I took Finley, my three-year-old, along too. I think he found it all quite exciting and coped with what is really a very long day, much of which involves a lot of “Hurry up and wait”! But it is nice to go to the backstage bar afterwards and mingle with all our fellow skaters and their family and friends.

Training for this Sunday has been a mixed bag. We have a very involved routine with numerous lifts, spins, jumps and required elements and it is definitely a serious test! Progress is being made though, even if it has meant a bruise on my outer left thigh the size of a dinner plate!

Since the show started training for all of us has become more fragmented. Until now we have been ensconced in our 'home' rink and, as far as possible, had a familiar routine. However now the show is underway we have to divide our time between the home rink (which for me is a wonderfully run facility in Swindon), Slough rink, who have also been great, and the studio itself. And we often can't be sure where we'll be until the day before. It's just a case of adapting and making the best of the time Pav and I have on the ice. Last time we were at Slough it was the “morning after” Pavel had celebrated his birthday and Andrei had joined him in one too many. Training was interesting that day and I asked for more spins just to see him turn green for a change!! He he…normally I'm the one changing colour!

I'll be working with Jayne and Chris on Thursday which is always fun and testing. They provide the choreography, work with all couples and choreograph and perform with the pro's. They work phenomenally hard and have a double bed in their dressing rooms to catch up on sleep when they can. The rest of us have a cozy sofa.

Although I can't really give anything away about the next show, I can tell you I'll be in a very interesting and slightly unusual outfit... I have some input into it, and Steven our designer is fab, so hopefully it will meet with general approval! It’s more like a swimsuit so I feel at home!

It is going to be fun to perform in the same show as the boys and come together as a complete team. There is no huge sense of competition though in the sense of wanting to beat anybody else. We are just simply trying to be the best we can be each show and to attain some personal bests each week that we are involved. In sports like swimming and skating where you cannot directly effect what others are doing (unlike boxing, cricket, tennis etc...) you can only prepare as well as possible and put out the best performance you can. If you do that and it isn't good enough on the day, fair enough - but at least you know you didn't let yourself down.

I had a lovely chat with Colleen Nolan last week. She did the series last year and said she thinks that at Week Two we are already about where they were on Week Five! I guess like most things each series gets slightly progressively better as the bar rises. It is pretty evident that we are being seriously pushed and now everybody has skated I really don't think anybody has let themselves down. We have sadly lost Sinitta and Bobby but they also did great jobs on the night.

So it's back to training on Tuesday after a Monday of rest. Working hard with Pav (at least as long as he isn't required for pro routine rehearsals) before we attend the studio on Saturday for what is known as Blocking. This is all about working with the cameras so they know where we are going to be at what point of the song. Also there is a lot of work with lighting to go through. Then we have costume, make-up and dress rehearsal on Sunday during the day followed by the the show itself.

I hope you're all enjoying the show so far. It might be exhausting but it's a real thrill to be involved. It is a such a pleasure to have got to know the rest of the gang and particularly my professional partner and 'skating rock' Paval.

I have recently ventured into the world of Twitter. It is still very new to me but if you are interested you can join me at sharrond62. I’ll try my best to pass on news and some behind the scenes info….

Love,

Sharron. xx

So we're on the final run-in to the beginning of Dancing On Ice and it is all getting rather exciting, if not a little nerve-wracking too but that's only to be expected.

All of us taking part know something about performing whether it has been on stage, screen or in the sports arena - and we've all suffered nerves. But now we're about to perform something in which we have no background to several million people and it is a very different proposition!

I like the quote from former Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor who enjoyed a brilliant career at the highest level. Towards the end of it he was asked if he still got nervous when going in to bat. He replied, “Of course I do, but these days the butterflies fly in formation”.

So that's what I'm aiming for - the Red Arrows of butterflies!

The show starts on Sunday and us girls are up first. There had been talk of the boys competing on the 10^th but somewhere along the line the order was switched. I can't say I'm unhappy about that. I'd anticipated being a little frustrated if the show had started and the hype and ,momentum was underway, but not yet to have skated. I think I'm quite happy to get out there early and get the whole experience under my belt.

My training with Paval this week has continued pretty well and we've managed to cope despite the country grinding to a halt thanks to the weather. I'm not great with the cold and don't have the best circulation so all this training in the cold and then stepping outside into sub-zero temperatures and a foot of snow is not exactly ideal for me. If staying on my feet inside has been tricky enough I don't need the same problem outside!

My knees have to be protected as I've suffered nasty knee injures before stemming way back into my childhood. And then a serious injury that saw the end of my stint on Gladiators and required several operations. Like most people who live with injuries, niggles and pains I've learned to cope with and manage it but just have to be a little careful I don't do anything too daft.

In fact speaking of Gladiators I was delighted to find out that Steven, who was in charge of our costumes back then, is looking after our skating outfits. It has been lovely to catch up with him again. And the other Gladiator contact who has been providing a bit of help and support has been my old pal Diane 'Jet' Youdale. Diane, who is now a BBC broadcaster, psychotherapist and fitness professional, actually came from a dance and theatre background before Gladiators and she has given me a few valuable words about the presentation aspect of the performance.

As a sportsperson I am well used to competing and getting on with it; starting at Point A and attempting to get to Point B as quickly as possible and in front of everybody else. I was perfectly comfortable with that whether there were 10 people watching or 100 million. Now this might seem silly to many of you, but I really find the 'presenting' bit immediately before and after a routine (the kind of thing gymnasts also have to do) quite difficult . The whole business of striking a pose and smiling broadly and kind of saying “Here I am, look at me!” is completely alien to me. I think I'm doing it but the coaches tell me otherwise! I'm just not a natural performer or 'exhibitionist' like the actors and singers and I'm quite envious of their inherent ability in this area.

What makes it even more silly is that I'm very experienced and comfortable striking poses in a photographic studio and can do it with my eyes closed - though of course that wouldn't make for a great picture! I think it's perhaps that I'm struggling to merge doing something competitive with something that involves striking a pose and being elegant and performance based - to me they have always been entirely separate matters. Hope I'll get the hang of it soon and Diane has given me a bit of a pointer. If anybody else has any tips please just let me know!

This week has been quite hard not just with with all the preparation for the opening show, but the weather has also meant I ended up 'trapped' in a hotel instead of being able to get home to my family, which was hugely frustrating. But we've all been afflicted one way or another and I hope you're all keeping as warm as possible and staying safe.

I was a bit upset last weekend over the Daily Star item. But it was interesting to see that just about none of my fellow skaters knew anything about it and when they did find out each and every one of them sought me out and gave me a big hug. We are all a big happy family and I can honestly say everyone has become a pleasure to know. We are all about to embark on a very special experience and we're all supporting each other in whatever ways we can.

I have decided to take the plunge and have a go at this Twittering business. I am not a natural when it comes to these things but I'll do my best to note down interesting bits and pieces for you to keep up with. I am at sharrond62 for those who are interested.

 

Up I go again...

 

Dancing On Ice is almost upon us and I can't wait for things to get underway. I suspect my fellow participants feel the same way. We have been training for two months now and for most of that time it has all been very secretive and we haven't been allowed to say anything about our involvement in the show - though that never stopped groups of schoolchildren asking and the more I avoided giving them an answer the more they said “You are aren't you? You must be. Are you? She is I reckon..!”

Actually everybody has been fantastic whilst I've been training, far from being obstructive or interfering they have been great fun, very respectful of our space and also genuinely encouraging too. It was a relief when the whole thing was formally announced and we could get on with doing what everybody watching already realised we were doing!

This year most of us taking part have started from absolute scratch and we've all had the same amount of time with our partners. And I am so lucky with mine - Paval is fantastic and we have clicked so well which is something I put down to him more than anything. He has a great knack of sizing up his 'pupil' and quickly working out the best way to get the optimum from her. He has certainly done that with me and I know from several chats with his partner last year - the lovely Jessica Taylor (now married to England cricketer Kevin Pieterson) - he was the same with her. Jessica and I are different people with different talents and backgrounds and have almost certainly needed different handling and Pav has been doing that brilliantly, but luckily a lot of things are the same too...

We have adopted him into the family - he is a devoted husband and father but his own family are on the other side of the world in Australia - and he has fitted in brilliantly. We have him over to stay at the house at least once a week and I've taken him to The Splash Swimming Awards with me as well as the Avatar premiere at Leicester Square which was an incredibly star studded event. Both were nice ways of giving him something back for all his patient time with me so far.

We work very hard but still manage to laugh a lot. I've no doubt that I might not be the easiest person to train up in a partnership environment. I come from a background of elite solo sport in something that I was good at from a very early age. And suddenly I'm tackling something totally new at which I don't have the same natural attributes and talents and am having to work in tandem with a partner. All facts that potentially add up to make me a tricky pupil and 'teammate'. But Pav is a great teacher and has certainly got a great way teaching, motivating and encouraging whilst being open and receptive to my thoughts, feelings and ideas. We haven't had any bust-ups which is amazing considering the frustrating nature of ice skating, the bumps, bruises, slips, scrapes and cold. In fact a few 'heated' moments might sometimes be a good way of keeping warm!

He is 6ft 3 and I am 5ft 11 which hardly makes us a typical ice skating pair! These might be handy stats for some sports but I promise it doesn't give us any advantage on the ice. We can get from one end of the studio rink to the other in about three strides which would be handy in the event of a quick getaway but not much else.

Also it makes the whole lifting process a very different proposition. Pav has no trouble at all 'flinging me around' but trying to turn that into something technically correct, precise, highly artistic and controlled more of a challenge. But I’m enjoying trying…. My limbs are clearly longer than a 'normal' skating partner so we have been practising hard to hone this area and have even developed and invented lifts that work for us. We have worked hard on them off the ice which can be difficult enough - now imagine having yourself lifted, spun, held, turned upside down and returned to the ice whilst skating along, looking completely composed, smiling and wearing a spangly leotard....this really is a different world for me! In fact I confess that one of the things I find hardest and am most self conscious about is perhaps the easiest - the 'presentation' bit immediately before skating and on completion. I'm used to and comfortable with the actual performance bit, but have never had to be 'showy' before and feel very self aware at that point!

You need total trust in your partner and I definitely have that in Pav. I feel sorry for the lady professionals though who need to have that same trust in their male celebrity partner and, with the best will in the world, that must be difficult when it comes to the lifts, particularly at the start. But from what I gather they are doing great.. I'm so impressed by their faith in all of us! And Jane and Chris as well as our coaches Mark and Karen are fantastic….

I am the only sportsperson taking part in this series as well as being the oldest female, but hopefully the former fact makes up for the latter! Pav is happy with my conditioning and believes it has made some of our lifting training easier for him. And although it has been a while since I was a competitive international athlete the old enjoyment and disciplines are still lurking in the deeper recesses of my character. Packing my kit bag and tossing it in the car at 6.30am ready for a few hours training has brought back all the better memories from all those years ago as a little girl and ultimately an international swimmer. I know memory can be selective and I'm looking back on those years of arduous training and early starts quite fondly and I must admit that even at 6am on a winters morning I certainly don't feel like the 'old girl' of the show!

It helps that I love where Pav and I have been training. The rink at Swindon's Link Centre has been so accommodating to us. We've had our own cordoned off area to practice our routines in and for Pav to teach me. It more or less replicates the size of the studio rink which is actually only a third the size of a full rink. The Centre and the locals could not have been more helpful to Pav and myself, and if anybody has been driven bonkers by the repetition of our routine music they have been good enough to keep it too themselves!

I've found it interesting to see first hand how popular skating is on a recreational level - both sexes and all age groups seem to love it. However there have been times when I've just been feeling quietly pleased with how I'm getting on only to spy a couple old enough to be my parents, or children younger than my daughter Grace, gliding around with significantly more style and poise! Oh well, it gives me something to aim at!

This whole process has really been my first encounter with ice skating and I've already found so much pleasure in it that I really hope Dancing On Ice introduces a few more people to it. We've got a good number of rinks up and down the country and I'd urge anybody to give it a go - even if it doesn't mean trying to do it properly for the first time in a competitive situation on TV in front of millions of people!

This is a genuine challenge and one that I feel lucky to have been given the opportunity to tackle. I've always tried to keep myself in decent shape and to follow a healthy lifestyle - I have to practice what I preach after all, but all this pre-series training has definitely reinvigorated me physically and it has been so nice to have a genuine sporting and fitness purpose and goal to focus on.

A side benefit of this show is that it has reunited me with a number of old friends. I've been pals with Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill for a long time and have got together with them a few times over the years. It is such a privilege to be on their 'patch' now and working with them up close on the ice. It's hard to believe I was working with them on kid's TV back in the 80's well before Bolero rocketed them to legendary status.

Then there is Robin Cousins who came to national prominence through the Olympics at the same time as me, also from the West Country. We bumped into each often for a while but I haven't come across him for a few years. And it is great to have the opportunity to catch up again with Karen Barber and Nicky Slater. They were a world class pair in their time and 'suffered' by having a career that coincided with Chris and Jayne - that shadow would have been hard for anybody in the world to get out from under.

I'd like to close this first blog by picking up on something the DAILY STAR ran a day or two ago and has subsequently been picked up by various gossip websites. All I can say in response is that I've got nothing but the utmost respect for those taking part - after all I've got as good an idea as anyone about what it takes to combine a busy working life, families and Dancing On Ice training and I’m sorry if I have said anything unknowingly that offended. We all get on great and pass on what tips we might have to stay on our feet! And people like Bobby Davro who are also involved in Pantomime are working wonders in preparing for the show. It has been a pleasure to meet up with everyone on the couple of occasions we've managed it so far and I'm staggered the Star decided to print this odd remark. I genuinely look forward to us all being together once we get underway. I've been around plenty long enough to know that being in the public eye and taking part in a popular TV series sets you up for occasional bouts of tabloid tittle tattle. I learned a long time ago it isn't worth getting wound up about! But negative press is never nice for anyone…I hope it is taken with the pinch of salt it deserves.

The series starts on January 10^th and I hope you'll be tuning in, enjoying it and giving us ALL your support.

Sharron xx

Smiling through the strain and trying not to strangle Pav!

So much easier in Ugg boots and on dry land!