WITH his character in Hollyoaks being put through the all kinds of emotional hoops Chris Fountain was almost glad of the distraction of having to train for a major TV celebrity ice event.
But having viewed footage of previous Dancing On Ice shows he had no idea how far his role in the Saturday night phenomenon would take him.
As eventual runner up in the ITV ratings winner he is likely to be a popular figure when he steps onto the ic
e at Sheffield Arena this weekend.
"I'm really looking forward to it," he confirmed after one of his final training sessions for the huge UK tour.
"I went to Wembley to watch cage fighting last week and the audience was huge. The pressure will be off for winning but it would nice to pick up a few wins as we go along."
The tour kicks off in Sheffield tonight and takes in the whole country. It sees Chris, for one, having to juggle his Hollyoaks job at moody teenager Justin Burton with the skating.
"While I'm on tour I'm not too heavy on the storylines although for the first few weeks of Dancing On Ice it was heavy and it can be confusing when you're having to learn a routine per week.
"I was working seven until seven on Hollyoaks and then nine until 11 at night training. It was difficult to get along with. But I've gone quieter and quieter in the storyline so it is nice to concentrate on the ice."
When Chris, who at just 20 is also part owner of a bar in Leeds, was first selected for the show much fuss was made about his ice hockey past, having played aged 15. He's since been invited to train with the hockey team in his hometown of Bradford.
"It is like saying if you play rugby you can play football, though," says Chris, who strained his thigh during training for the TV show. "Even without that ice experience I would have thrown myself into it. That said, I would not trust me to carry me above my head.
"But I was surprised when I started. I had watched some of it on YouTube and thought 'I am never going to be able to do that'. Then I got with Frankie (Poultney, partner) and started working on the spin and jumps really early so when it came to it I would be able to do it."
In spite of Hollyoaks turning round up to 10 scenes a day in Liverpool, Chris's ability away from the set and on the ice took him to the grand final where he was favourite win but narrowly missed out to former Hear'Say beauty Suzanne Shaw.
"I'm not obsessive but I like to do something well and if I don't I sulk. But I also like to have fun with whatever I do. I didn't want my skating to stop."
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