Dancing On Ice’s first celebrity contestant CONFIRMED as host Holly Willougby announces name on This Morning

DANCING On Ice's first celebrity contestant was confirmed by host Holly Willougby today as she interviewed the star on This Morning.

The star was teased throughout the lunchtime show and viewers first got a glimpse of the celeb's silhouette behind a screen.

The 42-year-old turned to co-host Ben Shephard and told viewers: "This is very exciting, I don't know who any of them are! Usually I get a hint.

"This year, nothing. Probably because they know I'll let slip. You ask me, I'd tell you."

The celeb later appeared again and this time was seen throwing punches behind a screen.

Holly said: "Oh I think I know who it is now!" before the show cut to a break.

Dancing On Ice host Holly was later given the honour of announcing the skating show's first signing for the upcoming series, which kicks off in January.

Boxing legend and ex-world champion Ricky Hatton made a dramatic entrance by punching through a paper screen - after The Sun revealed his signing two weeks ago.

He whipped off his gloves and Holly said: "I can't wait to see you on the show!"

Ben added: "So excited, it's the Hitman on the ice!"

Ricky laughed: "I wish I shared your confidence.";

Ricky insisted he's not afraid to swap the boxing rink for the ice rink, adding: "Being a boxer I have been on my a**e a few times.

"But skating is all about balance and so is boxing, and I've got good upper body strength."

Asked why he signed up for the show, Ricky, who advocates for improving mental health, said: "What I bang the drum about is keeping yourself busy.

"When I was retired I was sat there with nothing to do and my will power fell apart a bit.

"It's about taking on new adventures, and it doesn't come quite as new as Dancing On Ice."

The Manchester sportsman retired in 2011 before another defeat in his comeback fight led him to retire from the sport for good.

It comes after The Sun revealed a huge Coronation Street star and a former S Club 7 singer had signed up.

Holly will host again with Stephen Mulhern rumoured to be replacing Phillip Schofield as co-presenter.