Dancing On Ice’s WINNER is predicted ahead of the new series as key traits mean they could be crowned the champion

Coronation Street’s Sam Aston is the most likely contestant to win ITV’s Dancing on Ice, according to new data analysis.

The series, which is in its 17th year, is back on screens on Sunday January 12 at 6.45pm. 

Sam joins the likes of TOWIE’s Fearne McCann, The Traitors star Mollie Pearce and Chelsee Heeley in forming the line up.

Ahead of the first episode, odds experts at Slotozilla have analysed data from the show’s previous winners to reveal what makes a winning contestant.

The research which uses 15 years worth of data analysed a range of factors including the contestant’s profession, hometown, age, gender and more.

Their research showed that almost three quarters of the previous winners were men.

The series, which is in its 17th year, is back on screens on Sunday January 12 at 6.45pm

Those aged between 26 and 35 were also most likely to win and contestants from North West regions like Manchester, Liverpool and Yorkshire also lead the way to success.

With these statistics in mind, the experts predict that 31-year-old Sam Aston from Burnley is most likely to win. 

The actor, who is best known for his role of Chesney Brown on Coronation Street, would not be the first winner from a soap as he follows in the footsteps of the 2024 champion and Coronation street co-star, Ryan Thomas.

While Sam fits four of the five main criteria, in second place is Manchester-bred comedian Josh Jones, who with three points also fits into the winning age bracket at 32.

Anton Ferdinand, Dan Edgar and Chris Taylor all come in third most likely, scoring only two of the four winning criteria, while Chelsee Healey is the only woman to secure more than one point in the ranking.

Commenting on the findings, Marie Toland, Senior Editor from Slotozilla said: ‘Dancing on Ice is a firm favourite in the British TV calendar and is one of the shows Brits most look forward to liven up the New Year. 

Analysing the historical data of past winners we think there’s a strong chance that Sam Aston is the most likely contestant to win, although that all depends on how he performs out on the ice of course!’

Sam joins the likes of TOWIE’s Fearne McCann, The Traitors star Mollie Pearce and Chelsee Heeley in forming the line up

His partner on the show is Molly Beth Lanaghan

It comes as the show has changed the structure of the show in a huge shake up designed ‘to avoid upsetting the celebs’. 

ITV bosses are said to have changed the dance-off as the stars will no longer have to skate a new performance if they find themselves in the bottom two, according to The Sun. 

Usually the celebrities not only had to learn a routine for their weekly performance but would also have to put together a dance for it they found themselves voted into the bottom two.  

Now it is believed that the stars will simply have to just relearn what they performed for the main competition as it is said the duty of care is ‘paramount’ to ITV bosses.

A source told the publication: ‘On Dancing on Ice, in the past all the couples had to prepare a special skate-off dance which would be ready in case they were voted into the bottom two.

‘But that meant on top of learning their main routine, any group dances – and sometimes more – the pairs were in most cases having to learn a dance that went to waste.

‘Bosses have rethought the plan moving forwards and couples in the bottom two will now be asked to simply repeat the same dance that they performed on the main show.’

MailOnline contacted ITV representatives for a comment.  

The actor, who is best known for his role of Chesney Brown on Coronation Street, would not be the first winner from a soap

The news comes after it was revealed that the show introduced a 24-hour hotline for stars to raise any concerns, following the Strictly Come Dancing bullying scandal.

The ITV show is set to return to screens in 2025, and sources have now revealed new measures that been introduced in a bid to prevent any bullying or abuse.

According to The Sun, ITV bosses have sent the celebrity lineup a six-page letter telling them they can speak out ‘without fear of abuse’.

In a similar vein to the chaperones introduced for this year’s Strictly, this year’s celebrities will also been assigned a producer to ensure their ‘wellbeing.’

DANCING ON ICE 2025: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

FERNE MCCANN 

AGE: 34

PROFESSION: Reality TV star 

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited, it’s going to be a huge challenge but I’m excited for the glitz and glamour of the show.’

SIR STEVE REDRGAVE

AGE: 62

PROFESSION: Former Olympic rower 

WHAT DID THEY SAY? ‘It’s like going back to being an athlete again, I’ve been competing most of my life.’

CHARLIE BROOKS 

AGE: 43

PROFESSION: Soap star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve skated when I was a kid and with mulled wine at Christmas. Until I get on the ice I have no idea how I’m going to be. I’m not that strong.’

 

 ANTON FERDINAND

 AGE: 39

PROFESSION: Footballer and pundit

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: Dancing On Ice will give me that focus but I’m also doing it for my daughter because she loves dance and performing arts.’

 

 CHRIS TAYLOR

Age: 34

PROFESSION: Reality star

 WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m somewhere between absolutely terrified and very excited and I keep flitting between the two quite aggressively throughout the day. I’ve not even started stretching yet, I need to.’

 

CHELSEE HEALEY 

 AGE: 36

PROFESSION: Actress

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m ready, I’m good to go, let’s go! I’ve got a bit of rhythm but skating on ice is completely different, I’m excited. 

MOLLIE PEARCE 

 AGE: 22

PROFESSION: Reality TV star and model

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘It will be fun, I want to challenge myself, I’m ready for the challenge.’

SAM ASTON 

AGE: 31 

PROFESSION: Soap star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘Anyone at work who I’ve spoken to has done it have all kind of the same thing that it is a great experience and it is really hard, and it’s tiring and tough but it is brilliant as well.’

JOSH JONES

AGE: 31

PROFESSION: Comedian 

WHAT DID THEY SAY? ‘I’ve not got any skating experience whatsoever, I did it once for a date years ago and I wasn’t very good, I was holding onto the railings the entire time and we aren’t together now.’

 

 MICHAELA STRACHAN 

 

 AGE: 58

PROFESSION: Television presenter

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘It’s going to be a big challenge, I think the last time I was on ice was 14 years ago, because I trained as a dancer, I’ve got a bit of balance, but I have no idea whether I’m going to be good.’

 

DAN EDGAR 

AGE: 34

PROFESSION: TOWIE star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m looking forward to it but the thought of the live shows and performing is very real.’

 

DAME SARAH STOREY 

AGE: 46

PROFESSION: Paralympian 

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m excited to learn a new skill and have the opportunity to put myself out there and learn a new sport.’