His presence in Dancing On Ice caused maximum excitement amongst fans who remember Chesney Hawkes' Nineties pop hit. But there was dissapointment this week at the news the singer has pulled out of the show after injuring his leg in training.The one-hit wonder has been replaced by X Factor's Chico.
Chesney was practising on the rink for the ITV1 skating show when he fell and sprained his ankle and fractured a bone in his leg.The 40-year-old, who topped the charts in 1991 with The One And Only, said he was "gutted" not to be taking part. "I was having a brilliant time and couldn't wait to finally be skating live on national TV. "It wasn't even a spectacular fall, it was a slight stumble as I practised with my skating partner. "I think my children are the most disappointed, they were so excited at the prospect of watching me skate.
"I'm determined to be back on the ice, I might not be able to appear in this series but hoping I will be able to appear in the show next year. "Chico, who reached the quarter-finals of the 2005 series of The X Factor, said he was "excited" to be joining the show which starts this Sunday at 6.30pm.
But he admitted it was "not necessarily in the best of circumstances".Among the other contestants taking part in the show are EastEnders star Laila Morse, former Dallas actress Charlene Tilton, Eighties actor Corey Feldman, Sugababe Heidi Range and skier Chemmy Alcott. But there is no return for sharp-tongued judge Jason Gardiner, with two new judges – former Olympic champion Katarina Witt and choreographer Louie Spence – joining Robin Cousins on the panel.