EXCLUSIVE: SECRETS OF THE ICE QUEENS
10/02/2007
THEY'RE the new Saturday night ice queens, the skaters who risk life and limb as they're thrown about by rink rookies Lee Sharpe, Duncan James, Stephen Gately and, gulp, Kyran Bracken.
So we got our skates on and went down to meet the Dancing On Ice girls.
They gave us the low-down on the laughs and lessons they have shared with their on-screen partners And during a break from their gruelling four-hour daily training schedule they posed for an exclusive photoshoot with the Daily Mirror.
Here, they show off their off-rink style and reveal the sexy secrets of looking so great when they're chilling out away from work.
MARIA FILIPPOV
AGE: 33.
ICE PARTNER: Former Blue singer Duncan James.
OFF-ICE PARTNER: Husband Andrei and five-year-old son Anton live in Sydney, Australia.
"Duncan is a dream to work with, which is a good job because I missed my son's first day at school because of the show.
"As soon as I'm out of my skates, I love wearing high heels. At just 5ft 2in, I need the extra lift. I avoid open-toed sandals though, because skating has given me lumpy toes.
"I'd never wear anything with sequins off ice. My own style is much more pareddown and I love wearing black. I don't really wear make-up.
"Like anyone who works out for four hours a day, I don't have to worry about putting on weight. Even after I gave birth I just snapped back to my usual 7st 2lbs, so I'm lucky. But I adore chocolate and make sure I eat some every day as it makes me feel so good."
DIET TIP: "Don't deny yourself what you love or you'll crave it more. Everything in moderation."
MELANIE LAMBERT
AGE: 32
ICE PARTNER: Rugby star Kyran Bracken
OFF-ICE PARTNER: Married to Kay Burley's partner Fred Palascak for four years. They live in Boston and have skated together for 12 years.
"SINCE we've appeared on the show, women keep telling me how much they fancy my husband, which is kinda funny. We tease each other about who'll get further in the competition.
"Kyran's put so much into his skating. He's patched together after so many rugby injuries but he bravely throws himself into each move as you'll have seen from his caterpillar dance!"
"What you see when I perform isn't anything like my true style. Skinny jeans and Topshop tunics are my favourite look at the moment. I avoid anything sparkly like the plague.
I'm only 5ft tall and 7st 8lbs so I like to keep outfits simple or I'd look drowned in fabric. I started skating at two so I've never been overweight. I eat lots of fish and veg, but have been gorging on chocolate digestives - you can't get them at home.
"Every woman hates one part of her body and for me it's my upper arms - they're very muscly. But nothing beats a taut toned skater's bum and Fred's is fantastic."
BEAUTY TIP: "Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. Supple skin looks good even without make-up.
FRANKIE POULTNEY
AGE: 33.
ICE PARTNER: Former England and Manchester United footballer Lee Sharpe.
OFF-ICE PARTNER: Frankie was born in Sheffield, but now lives in Vancouver, Canada, with her husband Andrew - they married three years ago.
"LEE and I are known as the silly skaters, because we're always in fits of giggles.
We get on really well, which is a huge bonus because we have to spend four hours a day together.
"I'm the smallest of the skaters, because I'm only 5ft tall and weight six-and-a-half stone. That's good for Lee because it's easy for him to do lifts and chuck me around a bit. So far I've got away with only a few minor injuries, so I'm lucky.
"I know people will hate me for saying this, but I can eat whatever I like without putting on weight because I work off all the calories by training so hard. I'm a proper Yorkshire lass, so I love really hearty, traditional meals like roast beef and Yorkshire pud, sausage and mash, fish and chips and bread and butter pudding.
"I admire Jennifer Lopez and Angelina Jolie's style - they always look so classy yet cool. I seem to spend my life in sports gear, so when I'm off-duty I dress quite smartly in something like black trousers and a crisp white shirt.
"And I love high heels - I'm so small I'd be mistaken for a child otherwise."
STYLE TIP: "Dress up rather than down. You'll feel better about yourself if your clothes are on the smart side."
KRISTINA LENKO
AGE: 26
ICE PARTNER: Former Boyzone singer Stephen Gately.
OFF ICE PARTNER: Kristina, who lives in Toronto, Canada, is separated from eight-times British Champion skater Steven Cousins.
"STEPHEN has been stressed throughout rehearsals this week because he thinks everyone skates better than him.
"The standard is so much higher this year, but Stephen's doing really well.
"Since appearing in last year's Dancing On Ice, people keep complimenting me on my hair, which is lovely of them. I'm a natural blonde because my mum is a mix of Norwegian and Danish.
"I know I'm lucky not to bother with highlights, but being naturally blonde means I can never leave the house without mascara because my lashes are so pale.
"Away from the ice, my style is all about comfort. I love coming home and getting into my pyjamas and giant furry slippers.
"If I was going out, I'd wear skinny jeans, boots and a longsleeved t-shirt, but I rarely wear short skirts because my knees are often covered in purple bruises.
"I'm 5ft 2in and weigh 7st 5lbs, but I'm really careful with my diet because I have a gluten intolerance.
"Eating anything with flour makes me bloated, tired and sick.
Instead I eat a lot of rice and sushi and have a packet of almonds in my pocket to snack on."
TONING TIP: "Work out with cardio and weights three times a week in the gym. Your body burns more calories if it's muscly."
Dancing on Ice is on ITV1 tonight at 6.25pm, with the skate-off at 9.45pm.
Julie.Mccaffrey@
Mirror.Co.Uk
