Neighbours star Jason Donovan 'first celeb to be announced' for Dancing On Ice

Neighbours star Jason Donovan has been confirmed as the first celebrity to be starring on Dancing On Ice 2021.

The 52-year-old has reportedly joined the line up for the show, ten years after he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing.

Jason has enjoyed a successful music career as well as starring in a number of musicals, including playing the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

He once dated his Neighbours star Kylie Minogue, who played his on screen sister, and they have remained friends since.

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A source told The Sun: “Jason is a great signing for the show as he has plenty of star power.

“He knows how to dance but if he thinks it’ll be any help once he’s on the ice he has another thing coming.

“He’s hoping to rank higher in this show than he did on Strictly, he just needs to find out if he can stay upright once he has his skates on."

MirrorOnline has contacted a rep for the show for comment.

Other stars thought to have signed up for the series include Denise Van Outen, 46, who reportedly signed a deal worth around £40,000.

A source told the Daily Star Sunday : "After some top-secret negotiations, Denise was offered the chance to take part and she jumped at the chance.

"She’s signed a deal worth around £40,000."

Denise has been tipped as a frontrunner on the show, given her extensive dance and theatre experience.

She appeared in Dancing On Ice's rival show Strictly come Dancing back in 2012 and was partnered with James Jordan

Rebekah Vardy, 38, has also reportedly signed up after landing a £50,000 contract, and Olympic athlete Colin Jackson, 53, is also thought to have confirmed.

H from Steps recently said Dancing On Ice should cast a transgender contestant for the 2021 series.

The 44-year-old singer – real name, Ian Watkins – made Dancing On Ice history last year when he was unveiled as the first ever same-sex partnered contestant on the long running ITV show.

H was paired with 44-year-old ice skating professional Matt Evers, with the pair competing on the series when it started airing at the beginning of this year.

The decision to include a same-sex pairing on Dancing On Ice has been regarded as one of the reasons Strictly Come Dancing have this year announced Olympic legend Nicola Adams as their first ever contestant to dance in a same-sex pairing.

e told The Sun: “Everyone knew it was going to be two girls on Strictly this year because we did it in Dancing On Ice last year .

“I messaged the Dancing On Ice producers telling them they should get a trans contestant.

“We need to embrace all of those minorities so we can become one whole fabulous community.”

*Dancing On Ice returns in January on ITV