Kate Ferdinand set for awkward reunion with ‘cheating’ Towie ex Dan Edgar at Dancing On Ice

KATE Ferdinand is set for a frosty reunion with her ex Dan Edgar when Dancing On Ice begins tonight.

The former reality star will join her England football ace husband Rio to support his brother Anton Ferdinand, 39, who is competing on the ITV1 show.

Kate, 33, and Dan, 34, both starred in The Only Way Is Essex, which saw their on-off relationship played out on screen.

Their relationship was hit by cheating allegations at the time.

During a confrontation with Dan on TOWIE in 2017, Kate said: “You made me feel like I was a nut job, you were going, ‘You are crazy, you are making it up in your head.’ You made me feel like I was crazy.”

A source said: “Rio and Kate will be putting on a united front as they come to the Dancing On Ice studio to watch Anton.

“It is always awkward seeing an ex. Kate is just glad to have Rio by her side in the audience.

“Fortunately, Dan won’t be skating his first routine until next week so it means Kate won’t have to endure an entire performance. Things were on and off between Kate and Dan for years and there was clearly a lot of love between them.

“Kate is obviously now very happily married to Rio and it shows the strength of their ­relationship that she is not fazed by being around Dan.”

Speaking to The Sun on ­Sunday, former West Ham star Anton insisted there has been no mention of Kate’s past relationship with Dan in their family group chat.

He said: “No, none of that. Kate and Rio are just focused on what I am doing and nothing else. They are proud of me and that is all that matters.”

‘Lots of drama’

Kate joined the Essex reality show in 2015 and was introduced as the on-off girlfriend to then-main cast member Dan.

Their rocky romance played out on the ITVBe series until they finally ended the six-year relationship in 2016.

After they decided to split, Dan admitted: “I feel like our ­relationship was like we’d been married for 30 years and we got on each other’s nerves.

“I can’t believe it’s come to this. I genuinely thought we would be together for the rest of our lives.”

Kate then met Rio during a trip to Dubai and later decided to quit TOWIE to pursue their relationship.

It came after Rebecca Ellison — Rio’s wife and mother to their three teenage kids Lorenz, Tate, and Tia — lost her life to breast ­cancer at the age of 34.

Speaking of her decision to leave TOWIE, Kate said at the time: “I had two choices. I’m in this world with lots of drama and then I met Rio and the children and I thought, I’m with these kids who have lost their mum. They don’t need a woman who is out all the time — they need someone at home with them.”

Since marrying in Turkey in 2019, Kate and Rio have had two children — son Cree, three, and year-old daughter Shae.

And the ex-TV beauty seems to have put her past love behind her.

Speaking about Kate in 2018, Dan admitted: “We don’t speak. I haven’t seen her for a long time.”

And he previously made a dig at Kate for dating Rio, adding: “I didn’t think he would be her type at all. I know I’ve made mistakes in the past but I feel disappointed. I want her to be happy but this just seems a bit weird.”

On tonight’s opening episode of Dancing On Ice, Anton will skate alongside Coronation Street actor Sam Aston, reality star Ferne McCann, wildlife host Michaela Strachan, Hollyoaks actress Chelsee Healey and former Love Islander Chris Taylor.

Anton — who shares three children under 12 with his wife Lucy — said: “It’s nice to have the support of Rio and all of my ­family.

“We are a tight-knit family and we support each other, whether it is football, Dancing On Ice, or being in the West End, which my sisters are.

“We wish everyone well and give them support to do it to the best of their ability.

“My dad will be here at the weekend and if I see a proud smile I will be happy.”

Meanwhile, fellow competitor Sam revealed his Corrie co-star Ryan Thomas urged him not to sign up to Dancing On Ice after winning the show last year.

The actor, who has played ­Chesney on the soap cobbles for 22 years, said: “Ryan was one of the first to say, ‘Don’t do it, mate. It’s stressful.’ But he has been a really good support, ringing me and checking in on me. He has been there and done it so he gets it — but there are loads at Corrie who have done it.

“Sally Dynevor did brilliantly. People keep saying, ‘You have got some big shoes to fill.”

Next Sunday’s show will see The Traitors star Mollie Pearce EastEnders actress Charlie Brooks comedian Josh Jones and Olympic rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave take to the rink.

Now retired, Sir Steve said he had wanted to ditch the mature look and glam up instead.

The five-time gold medallist said: “I am not so sure about the tan — but bring on the sequins.

“They have dressed me in a smoking jacket like a mature aged man. I want sequins and sparkles.

“If you are out of your comfort zone, then let’s go the whole way.

“If it is not sequinned enough I am going to be complaining to the wardrobe department!”

Hol’s no to rink

HOLLY WILLOUGHBY is not set to take to the ice during the new series despite having all the experts at her disposal.

Judge and former Olympic skater Christopher Dean said Holly, who first hosted Dancing On Ice in 2006, has previously tried to skate but decided against taking it up as a hobby.

Christopher said: “Holly had a go a long time ago and I think she decided there and then that was it.”

However, the gold medal legend revealed that Stephen Mulhern, who replaced Phillip Schofield as co-host on the series last year, might showcase his skating ability.

Christopher said: “Stephen is like a puppy wanting to get on the ice, so who knows?

“We may see him on the ice this year.

“I hope so – it depends if he can get some practise in.”

Healey hurts

HOLLYOAKS star Chelsee Healey has revealed that she is still waiting to gain a “skater’s bum” despite her long hours in training.

The actress joked that she has not developed the famous perky buttocks that come from constant use of your glutes.

The actress, who plays Goldie McQueen, said: “I am still waiting to see it!

“I’ve been very sore so I can feel it, but I can’t see a it at the moment.”

Speaking about what she will take with her from the show, Chelsee said: “The experience – not the skater’s bum anyway.”

Meanwhile, Chelsee revealed that she has been having sleepless nights over the competition and has been leaning on her skating partner Andy Buchanan for support.

She said: “I am such a worrier and have been keeping myself up at night. It has been really mentally challenging.

“Andy has been the best support.”