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Brian McFadden and Gemma Collins among contestants for Dancing on Ice 2019

Brian McFadden attending the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum in Kensington, London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Dancers Alex Murphy (left to right), Mark Hanretty, Vanessa Bauer, Hamish Gaman, Carlotta Edwards, Alexander Demetriou, Brandee Malto, Matt Evers, Alexandra Schauman, Lukasz Rozycki, Brianne Delcourt, Sylvain Longchambon during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Jason Gardiner (left to right), Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Professional dancers perform during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Saira Khan (left) and Mark Hanretty (right) during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Didi Conn (left) and Lukasz Rozycki during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Lukasz Rozycki (left to right), Didi Conn, Richard Blackwood, Carlotta Edwards, Mark Hanretty, Saira Khan, Gemma Collins, Matt Evers, Saara Aalto, Hamish Gaman, Brianne Delcourt, Christopher Dean, Jayne Torvill, Jason Gardiner, Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield, Alexandra Schauman, James Jordan, Ryan Sidebottom, Brandee Malto, Alexander Demetriou, Melody Thornton, Vanessa Bauer, Wes Nelson, Jane Danson, Sylvain Longchambon, Alex Murphy and Brian McFadden during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Carlotta Edwards (left) and Richard Blackwood during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Gemma Collins (left) and Matt Evers during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Gemma Collins (left) and Matt Evers during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Hamish Gaman (left) and Saara Aalto (right) during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Melody Thornton (left) and Alexander Demetriou during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Wes Nelson (left) and Vanessa Bauer during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Jane Danson and Sylvain Longchambon during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Alex Murphy (left) and Brian McFadden during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Holly Willoughby (left to right), Phillip Schofield, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (right) during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Holly Willoughby (left) and Phillip Schofield during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Ryan Sidebottom (left) and Brandee Malto during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand
Alexandra Schauman (left) and James Jordan during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand

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Brian McFadden attending the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum in Kensington, London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Brian McFadden attending the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum in Kensington, London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Dancers Alex Murphy (left to right), Mark Hanretty, Vanessa Bauer, Hamish Gaman, Carlotta Edwards, Alexander Demetriou, Brandee Malto, Matt Evers, Alexandra Schauman, Lukasz Rozycki, Brianne Delcourt, Sylvain Longchambon during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Dancers Alex Murphy (left to right), Mark Hanretty, Vanessa Bauer, Hamish Gaman, Carlotta Edwards, Alexander Demetriou, Brandee Malto, Matt Evers, Alexandra Schauman, Lukasz Rozycki, Brianne Delcourt, Sylvain Longchambon during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Jason Gardiner (left to right), Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Jason Gardiner (left to right), Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Professional dancers perform during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Professional dancers perform during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Saira Khan (left) and Mark Hanretty (right) during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Saira Khan (left) and Mark Hanretty (right) during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Didi Conn (left) and Lukasz Rozycki during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Didi Conn (left) and Lukasz Rozycki during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Lukasz Rozycki (left to right), Didi Conn, Richard Blackwood, Carlotta Edwards, Mark Hanretty, Saira Khan, Gemma Collins, Matt Evers, Saara Aalto, Hamish Gaman, Brianne Delcourt, Christopher Dean, Jayne Torvill, Jason Gardiner, Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield, Alexandra Schauman, James Jordan, Ryan Sidebottom, Brandee Malto, Alexander Demetriou, Melody Thornton, Vanessa Bauer, Wes Nelson, Jane Danson, Sylvain Longchambon, Alex Murphy and Brian McFadden during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Lukasz Rozycki (left to right), Didi Conn, Richard Blackwood, Carlotta Edwards, Mark Hanretty, Saira Khan, Gemma Collins, Matt Evers, Saara Aalto, Hamish Gaman, Brianne Delcourt, Christopher Dean, Jayne Torvill, Jason Gardiner, Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield, Alexandra Schauman, James Jordan, Ryan Sidebottom, Brandee Malto, Alexander Demetriou, Melody Thornton, Vanessa Bauer, Wes Nelson, Jane Danson, Sylvain Longchambon, Alex Murphy and Brian McFadden during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Carlotta Edwards (left) and Richard Blackwood during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Carlotta Edwards (left) and Richard Blackwood during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Gemma Collins (left) and Matt Evers during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Gemma Collins (left) and Matt Evers during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Gemma Collins (left) and Matt Evers during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Gemma Collins (left) and Matt Evers during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Hamish Gaman (left) and Saara Aalto (right) during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Hamish Gaman (left) and Saara Aalto (right) during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Melody Thornton (left) and Alexander Demetriou during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Melody Thornton (left) and Alexander Demetriou during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Wes Nelson (left) and Vanessa Bauer during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Wes Nelson (left) and Vanessa Bauer during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Jane Danson and Sylvain Longchambon during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Jane Danson and Sylvain Longchambon during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Alex Murphy (left) and Brian McFadden during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Alex Murphy (left) and Brian McFadden during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Holly Willoughby (left to right), Phillip Schofield, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (right) during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Holly Willoughby (left to right), Phillip Schofield, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (right) during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Holly Willoughby (left) and Phillip Schofield during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Holly Willoughby (left) and Phillip Schofield during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Ryan Sidebottom (left) and Brandee Malto during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Ryan Sidebottom (left) and Brandee Malto during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Alexandra Schauman (left) and James Jordan during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Alexandra Schauman (left) and James Jordan during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

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Brian McFadden attending the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum in Kensington, London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Brian McFadden is among the celebrities hitting the rink for Dancing on Ice 2019.

The Dublin singer (38) was joined by TOWIE star Gemma Collins, Richard Blackwood, Ryan Sidebottom and Love Island's Wes Nelson at the launch on Tuesday.

McFadden is no stranger to reality TV having been a judge on Australia's Got Talent and appearing alongside ex-wife Vogue Williams on Stepping Out.  Also, in 2016 he took part in Channel 4 series, The Jump, which was based on skiing.

Holly Willoughby, fresh from I'm a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here presenting duties, has been reunited with her This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield for Dancing On Ice.

Gemma Collins (left) and Matt Evers during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand

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Gemma Collins (left) and Matt Evers during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Gemma Collins (left) and Matt Evers during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Gemma Collins (left) and Matt Evers during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Speaking at the launch they said there is no need for star-studded line-ups on reality shows.

The presenting pair said Strictly Come Dancing and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here have not suffered despite criticism that their line-ups are not filled with A-listers.

Dancers Alex Murphy (left to right), Mark Hanretty, Vanessa Bauer, Hamish Gaman, Carlotta Edwards, Alexander Demetriou, Brandee Malto, Matt Evers, Alexandra Schauman, Lukasz Rozycki, Brianne Delcourt, Sylvain Longchambon during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire Expand

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Dancers Alex Murphy (left to right), Mark Hanretty, Vanessa Bauer, Hamish Gaman, Carlotta Edwards, Alexander Demetriou, Brandee Malto, Matt Evers, Alexandra Schauman, Lukasz Rozycki, Brianne Delcourt, Sylvain Longchambon during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Dancers Alex Murphy (left to right), Mark Hanretty, Vanessa Bauer, Hamish Gaman, Carlotta Edwards, Alexander Demetriou, Brandee Malto, Matt Evers, Alexandra Schauman, Lukasz Rozycki, Brianne Delcourt, Sylvain Longchambon during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

Dancers Alex Murphy (left to right), Mark Hanretty, Vanessa Bauer, Hamish Gaman, Carlotta Edwards, Alexander Demetriou, Brandee Malto, Matt Evers, Alexandra Schauman, Lukasz Rozycki, Brianne Delcourt, Sylvain Longchambon during the press launch for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink in London. Picture date: Tuesday December 18, 2018. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Wire

They argued that it is the story the contestants create and not who they are at the outset of the show which is compelling to viewers.

They have hailed the show’s line-up as “fantastic”. 

But the duo claims that the initial fame of contestants soon fades when people fall in love with the stars on screen.

Schofield said: “How many times has it happened that you’re watching I’m A Celeb and you’re thinking ‘I’m not sure about this’, then it turns into the best series.

“The story is fantastic, and what happens in there is brilliant.  It’s the same with Strictly, it’s the same with Dancing On Ice. You’re don’t know who’s going to bubble to the top, you don’t know who everyone’s going to fall in love with.”

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The show’s presenters have said the roster of stars is superb, but defended reality programmes that allegedly lack big stars.

Willoughby said: “The thing is with the line-up, our line-up happens to be brilliant.

“But it doesn’t really matter, because you’re watching a person, for want of a better word, go on a journey. You’re with that person from day one, you’re watching how they change, you’re watching them learn the highs the lows,

“It doesn’t really matter. But, as it happens, we really do have a great line-up.”

Dancing On Ice is due to air on ITV in early 2019.

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