EXCLUSIVE: The X Factor’s Saara Aalto is our latest Dancing On Ice contestant 🙌

She'll be dancing like nobody's watching... 👀

Saara Aalto

by Emma Dodds |
Updated on

YEP, that's right! The X Factor 2016's very own Saara Aalto has EXCLUSIVELY revealed to heat that she's taking part in the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice.

The 2019 series, which is the second series of the show since its four-year hiatus that began 2014, already has stars like Westlife's Brian McFadden, THE GC (aka TOWIE's Gemma Collins), former EastEnders actor Richard Blackwood AND ex-Strictly dancer James Jordan signed up to appear.

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©Dancing On Ice © ITV Pictures

Speaking to heat Radio, she said: "I'm super excited about this, I love new challenges and I'm very ambitious. I can be very competitive, but I mainly want to challenge myself. I'll be saying to myself 'Saara, you need to push yourself more!'

Describing her excitement to be on the show, the Eurovision star added, " am so ready for this and I can't wait to get on the ice."

Dancing On Ice will return next January with presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield once again at the helm, with skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean taking their places on the judging panel like last year.

Although Jason Gardiner has not yet been confirmed to reappear, it's pretty likely he'll return - after all, he's pretty much THE FACE of the show. Well, one of the main faces, anyway.

Swipe through to see which celebrities have won Dancing On Ice in the past...

Gallery

CLOSER Dancing On Ice winners - slider with cover pic

Dancing On Ice1 of 12

Think you can remember all the winners of Dancing On Ice? Let's see...

Gaynor Faye, Dancing On Ice2 of 12
CREDIT: ITV/ Dancing On Ice

Gaynor Faye, 2006

Emmerdale actress Gaynor Faye won the first ever series of Dancing On Ice alongside her professional ice skating partner Daniel Whiston, under the watchful eye of judges Robin Cousins, Karen Barber, Nicky Slater, Jason Gardiner and Karen Kresge.

Dancing On Ice, Kyran Bracken3 of 12
CREDIT: ITV/ Dancing On Ice

Kyran Bracken, 2007

Rugby player Kyran Bracken won the show - and the hearts of viewers - in the second series. Beating Clare Buckfield in the final showdown, Kyran won with his professional partner Melanie Lambert.

Suzanne Shaw, Dancing On Ice4 of 12
CREDIT: ITV/ Dancing On Ice

Suzanne Shaw, 2008

Hear'Say singer Suzanne Shaw won the 2008 series with professional ice skater Matt Evers. Both of their final performances scored a perfect 30/30, which was the first time that had happened on the show, beating runner-up Chris Fountain.

Ray Quinn, Dancing On Ice5 of 12
CREDIT: ITV/ Dancing On Ice

Ray Quinn, 2009

The X Factor star-turned-Broadway star Ray Quinn won the show in 2009 alongside his professional partner Maria Filippov. The couple beat out journalist Donal MacIntyre and his partner Florentine Houdinière with their final performance. He also won the returners' series in 2014.

Hayley Tamaddon, Dancing On Ice6 of 12
CREDIT: ITV/ Dancing On Ice

Hayley Tamaddon, 2010

Corrie and Emmerdale actress Hayley won with second-time winner Daniel Whiston, beating Hollyoaks star Gary Lucy to the top spot. She also made it to the final of the returners' show in 2014, finishing second to Ray Quinn.

Sam Attwater, Dancing On Ice7 of 12
CREDIT: ITV/ Dancing On Ice

Sam Attwater, 2011

EastEnders' actor Sam Attwater won the coveted prize of first place in 2011 wth his partner Brianne Delcourt, beating TV presenter Laura Hamilton. The pair also returned for the 2014 series, but finished fourth.

Matthew Wolfenden, Dancing On Ice8 of 12
CREDIT: ITV/ Dancing On Ice

Matthew Wolfenden, 2012

Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden won the 2012 series with his professional ice skating partner Nina Ulanova, beating fellow soap star Jorgie Porter to the top. This was also the year that Louie Spence joined the judging panel, if you remember...

Beth Tweddle, Dancing On Ice9 of 12
CREDIT: ITV/ Dancing On Ice

Beth Tweddle, 2013

Olympic champion gymnast Beth Tweddle won the 2013 series alongside her partner Daniel Whiston in his THIRD win on the show. She beat out EastEnders actor Matt Lapinskas and his partner Brianne Delcourt, and came third in the 2014 returners' series with Łukasz Różycki.

Jake Quickenden10 of 12
CREDIT: ITV Pictures

Jake Quickenden, 2018

The X Factor and I'm A Celeb! runner-up Jake Quickenden finally won a reality show when he took part in Dancing On Ice in 2018 with his professional partner Vanessa Bauer, beating Coronation Street's Brooke Vincent - and she was NOT happy.

James Jordan, 201911 of 12
CREDIT: ITV Pictures

James Jordan, 2019

James Jordan and Alexandra Schauman won 2019's trophy despite some fierce competition from Love Island's Wes Nelson and his partner, last year's winning professional Vanessa Bauer.Judges called their rendition of the famous Bolero "the best the show had ever seen" despite the first dance of the final failing to top the leader board. Early on in the 2019 competition, James was criticized for having an unfair advantage over the other contestants because of his extensive dancing experience.

Joe Swash, 202012 of 12
CREDIT: ITV Pictures

Joe Swash, 2020

Joe Swash and Alex Murphy took home the 2020 trophy, despite Diversity's Peri Kiely being the bookies favourite since the beginning of the competition.However, it wasn't all plain sailing for Joe throughout the competition. Not only did he find himself at the bottom of the leaderboard in week three and have an ear infection, he also had to swap professional dance partners after Alexandra Schauman fell and injured herself during rehearsals, forcing her to drop out of the show.

Last year's show saw former The X Factor star Jake Quickenden take the skating crown with his professional skating partner Vanessa Bauer, beating out competition from Coronation Street actress Brooke VIncent and rugby star Max Evans.

Could it be that stars of The X Factor have an extra edge over the other contestants for some reason? Only time will tell...

There's no official air date for the 2019 series of Dancing On Ice yet, but we know it will be airing some time in January.

You can watch everything Saara has to say in this week's Big Night In, but until then you might wanna catch yourself up on last week's episode.

NOW WATCH: Is there such thing as the STRICTLY CURSE?! heat's Big Night In - EPISODE 2

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