Dancing On Ice star Kye Whyte wades into show ‘fix’ row ahead of semi-final
UNLIKE his four competitors in the Dancing On Ice semis, Kye Whyte is not known for his dancing.
But the Olympic BMX silver medallist is not fazed by the showbiz background of rivals Kimberly Wyatt, Brendan Cole, Connor Ball and Regan Gascoigne
Heading into Sunday’s showdown, the 22-year-old says: “I love being the underdog, I love it so much.
"I’m just trying to live up to all their standards.
“It makes me enjoy skating more, knowing my scores ain’t too far away from them guys — even though I reckon if they could get higher than a ten, they probably would be.”
Every year viewers claim the show is “fixed” because contestants with a performance background have an edge.
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Kimberly, 40 is a Pussycat Doll, Brendan, 45, was a Strictly Come Dancing pro, Regan, 26, is a dancer and Connor, 25, performs on stage with band The Vamps.
But Kye, who has been in the skate-off four times this series, says: “All I can do is just skate to the best of my ability and it’s in the judges’ hands and in the public’s hands.
“But when it comes to the skate-off, the person who stays is down to the judges and I’ve been the one they picked. So I’m grateful for that.”
Kye may not be used to dancing, but he is not stranger to competing.
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He began riding a BMX aged three and went on to win a silver medal in the European Championships at 19 and another at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
So how does Dancing On Ice compare?
Kye says: “Training for the Olympics was super hard because that’s the biggest competition in your life.
“Whereas with skating, I’m always going to go back to my normal life.
“How well I do here doesn’t affect my normal life.
“But I appreciate how hard skating actually is now. I came into the competition hoping just to do a few shows and entertain and have fun.
“And it’s turned into something so serious. I’m training so hard — it’s like I’m preparing for the Olympics again.
“I will say winning Dancing On Ice would be on a par to that Olympic silver.”
Kye and his skate partner Tippy Packard, 26, have prepared an emotional dance to song Stand By Me for the semis.
It will be dedicated to Kye’s family, including coach and dad Nigel and mum Tracey, who is battling leukaemia.
Kye, who lives in Manchester, says: “This week’s dance is a very personal one, it’s a slow song. It is about me skating and touching the hearts of my mum and anyone that’s going through the same situation.”
The dance will be a departure from the fast and frantic style he has favoured so far.
He adds: “Every routine has kind of been fast and upbeat just because that’s how I am. We’re not allowed to do a big production on this one, no props or back-up skaters.
“It’s just you and your partner, like more vulnerable. I want to show that I can skate slow and elegant and standing up straighter, kind of silent with all the spotlights on you.
“Then people will see that I can actually really skate. I feel like I haven’t really shown up to my full potential yet.”
That is not for the want of trying, however.
To fit in training for the show around his BMX work, Kye’s alarm goes off at 5am.
And he has travelled back and forth between Manchester and London a few times a week.
Yet he has also found time to this week launch his own clothing brand, Cattleya.
Kye says: “It’s going really well, better than I expected.
'IT'S BANTER'
“I started it because I like the name. If I ever have a daughter one day, I’d like to name her Cattleya.”
So is Kye dating — or just enjoying all the attention of being this year’s Dancing On Ice heart-throb?
“You know what?” Kye says, “I am single, So what man wouldn’t love it?
“There’s a lot of beautiful people out there.”
And what about the rumours he has his eye on Morgan Swales, 22, one of the show’s back-up skaters?
Blushing, Kye says: “For me it’s funny, it’s banter.
“I’ve only seen Morgan a lot recently because she’s been included in people’s numbers.
"But I’ve never actually sat down and spoke to that kind of level. I’ve just said hi and bye.
“She’s a lovely girl. I met her boyfriend the other week, he’s a lovely guy.”
But along with all the attention come the trolls.
Laughing, Kye points to his childhood in South London and says: “I grew up in Peckham, I think people have said a lot worse to me when I was a kid!
“I’m just not really fussed about what people have to say about me. I’m quite hard-headed.”
What Kye has found tough though is the physical toll on his body— and the fashion.
He says: “I don’t think anyone knows about this but I dropped on my back hard, winded, and my back and my arm was hurting.
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“But missing the show because of my knee, that one hurt me. And I wouldn’t wear a see-through shirt again. Nah.”
But the self-styled Prince of Peckham adds: “I haven’t once stepped on the ice and thought I can’t go today. I’ve tried my hardest. Always.
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“I just want to get ten before I leave, from someone.”
- Dancing On Ice, ITV, 7.30pm Saturday.
