Dancing On Ice stars to skate on after tour hits the skids

(PA)

The stars of Dancing On Ice are taking the show to the road, after the official tour hit the skids.

This year's celebrities were reportedly shocked to learn, after signing up for the ITV series, that the tour wouldn't be going ahead for the first time in the show's history, with organisers saying the decision was "due to venue availability".

But some of the stars - including ex-EastEnder Matt Lapisnkas, rugby star Gareth Thomas and Olympian Beth Tweddle - will skate on after the TV series ends later this month, in new tour Celebrities On Ice.

The three Dancing On Ice semi-finalists will be joined by rugby player Kyran Bracken and singer Chico, who have both previously competed in the series, and actor Christopher Biggins.

The celebrities will perform in the show, alongside professional ice skater Colin Ratushniak and skating troupe the Russian Ice Stars.

The tour will begin in Birmingham on Friday April 19 and visit Cardiff, Glasgow, Carlisle, Manchester, Newcastle, Scarborough and Northampton before finishing in Bournemouth on Sunday June 16.

PA