Ashley Banjo will leave Dancing on Ice if his wife goes into labour

The Diversity star will make a swift exit from the skating show to ensure he doesn't miss the birth of his first child

Published: Friday, 4 January 2019 at 2:54 pm

Having joined the Dancing on Ice judging panel for its reboot last year, Ashley Banjo has made himself a firm favourite.

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The Diversity frontman, 30, is all set to join Jason Gardiner, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean ahead of the skating show’s return to our screens on Sunday night.

However, Banjo says he will be forced to make a swift departure if his wife of nearly three years, Francesca Abbott, goes into labour.

The couple announced they were expecting a baby girl in October last year, with Abbott’s due date thought to be during the run of the new series.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BowTqS4hJSs/

“I would miss the show [if Francesca goes into labour],” he told RadioTimes.com. “It’s kind of a double-edged sword where you’d be gutted that you’d miss the show, but I’d have to be straight out. I’m not missing the birth of my first child! I’d be gone.”

Banjo also explained that he has a system in place to alert him to leave as swiftly as possible.

“I’m on constant alert,” he said. “I’ve got a pager on my belt to let me know. I’m ready to go.”

The new series of Dancing on Ice sees a diverse range of celebs take to the (slippery) floor in order to impress the judges.

This year Grease’s Didi Conn will grab her skates, alongside Strictly’s James Jordan, Corrie’s Jane Danson and TOWIE’s Gemma Collins.

Gemma Collins, Dancing on Ice (ITV, KB)

Gemma Collins, Dancing on Ice (ITV)

After she was announced as a contestant, fans (and host Phillip Schofield) were initially sceptical as to whether Collins would even make it to the ice, due to her penchant for quitting shows early (she lasted just three days in 2014 series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!).

However, Banjo is backing the reality TV diva to go all the way.

“I’d like Gemma to shock people,” Banjo said. “A lot of people have been saying she might not be that great. And actually, she’s got potential to be pretty good. She’s full of energy, she’s really bubbly.”

Dancing on Ice is not Banjo’s only show on our screens this month, with the star also fronting Channel 4’s picturesque new dating show Flirty Dancing.

The show sees Banjo separately teaching two singletons one routine which they then perform together on their first date.

“Dance is my thing,” he said. “I am intrigued in how different people find the right person. When the concept came up, my first conversation to show producers was about how I met my wife dancing. It does happen. I know friends who met their other half through dance.

“I knew there was something in it, so I just wanted to explore it.”

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Dancing on Ice starts on Sunday 6th January at 6pm on ITV. Flirty Dancing stars on Thursday 10th January at 10pm on Channel 4.

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Authors

Kimberley BondEntertainment Correspondent, RadioTimes.com

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