Dancing On Ice contestant Sir Steve Redgrave suffers nasty injury in rehearsals as he admits fears ahead of rink debut

BRAVE Sir Steve Redgrave is pushing through the pain ahead of his debut on Dancing On Ice.

The Olympic rowing legend revealed the gruelling toll that training for the ITV has taken on his body, after suffering a string of injuries in rehearsals.

The 62-year-old, who is battling colitis and Type 2 diabetes, admitted his health challenges, combined with some nasty falls on the ice, have made his journey far from smooth.

Speaking to The Sun ahead of this weekend’s Dancing on Ice launch, Sir Steve said: “I’ve got colitis, I’m a diabetic. I’ve got a frozen shoulder.

“I had a fall on the third day, which then sort of irritated the shoulder – there were a lot of things that we couldn’t do.

“I pulled a hip flexor. So that’s all in the first few weeks.

“I think the production team got very nervous, saying, ‘We’ve got to wrap him up in cotton wool. We’ve got to get him to the show.’

“And here we are, we’re at the show.”

In my deepest dream, I think I’ve got a chance of winning this

Sir Steve Redgrave

He also revealed he struggles with sensation in his feet, and cannot stretch his hands.

“I’ve been diabetic for almost thirty years so the sensation in my feet isn’t as good as what it used to be so navigating my footing on the ice could be a problem,” he candidly revealed.

“I also have Dupuytren’s contracture which affects my hands meaning I can’t make them flat.”

Despite his injuries, Sir Steve has shunned safety gear, unlike Dancing On Ice veteran Bez, who famously wore a helmet and knee pads.

Sir Steve laughed: “We’ve been given all the protective gear and no, I haven’t put it on at all.”

THE DRIVE TO WIN

As a five-time Olympic gold medallist, Sir Steve’s competitive spirit is still alive and well.

When asked if he had his sights set on the trophy, he admitted: “I don’t think that ever leaves you.

“Certainly in my deepest dreams – and it has to be a deepest dream – I think I’ve got a chance of winning this.

“William Hill odds came out last week and they’re at a very, very different level to where I need to be if we’re going to go on to take the crown.”

However, Sir Steve says he’s just hoping to entertain viewers.

He added: “It’s an entertainment programme, and I think that certainly our first routine will put smiles on people’s faces and make them feel good. Hopefully, they’ll pick up the phone and vote for me.”

Sir Steve previously said he decided to sign up for the series was recently revealed – this being to keep fit and lose weight.

He told This Morning hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley: “I must be closest to being one of the oldest, if not the oldest, on the show, but I’m certainly the heaviest that’s ever been on the show.

“120 kilos, so that’s around 20 stone, so I’m not light.”

GOODBYE TO ROWING

The Olympian also opened up about giving up rowing, saying it’s no longer part of his routine.

“Rowing is a training sport,” he explained.

“You don’t just go out on the river as a sort of pastime of, ‘Oh, that’s a nice thing to do.’

“You get hands full of blisters, so you’re not gonna do that. The sliding seat moves up and down, and they dig into the back of your legs.

“It’s quite fun when you’re out there, and then you get into the shower afterwards, and you’ve got cuts on the back of your legs and are thinking, ‘Is this supposed to be fun?’

“So no, there’s no social rowing at all.”

Despite the challenges, Sir Steve is determined to make a mark on the ice, proving once again that he’s as resilient as ever.

He said: “I think I know what I’m let myself in for.

“I thought I would be able to pick up the skating skills a lot quicker than I have and I’m disappointed in myself in that has been a slow process. 

“I’m on a different level (to everyone else) so hopefully the public keep me in a few weeks and each week I know I’ll get better.”

Dancing On Ice starts Sunday at 6.30pm, live on ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player.