And a generation on the poise, prowess and natural skill of Britain's king and queen of the ice - Torvill and Dean - has wowed fresh audiences as the mentors of hit UK television show Dancing On Ice.

As soon as the Saturday prime-time fixture found our screens, however, it was always clear this was not something to be confined to the front room and next week sees the arrival of Jayne and Christopher and their celebrity charges for another live helping of Dancing On Ice at Sheffield Arena.

It seems the whole concept didn't always seem like such a bright idea, however. "It was a gamble," recalls Chris. "We worried that people might fall flat on their faces. Quite literally."

And even when millions tuned in to see the likes Clare Buckfield and David Seaman, both popular participants from the previous Dancing On Ice TV series, and then Chris Fountain, Suzanne Shaw, Gareth Gates, Zaraah Abrahams and Linda Lusardi, who all reached the final six in this year's competition, successfully touring the concept was never a foregone conclusion.

"Jayne and I started talking and we decided to go to promoter Phil McIntyre with the idea of taking the basic concept of the show out on the road to some of the UK's largest ice skating arenas.

"But while we knew the TV show was popular, we couldn't be sure that we'd fill auditoriums that held up to 10,000 people."

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They need not have worried - the first tour was a sell-out and having experienced incredible demand for tickets for shows next Friday, Saturday and Sunday (at 1.30pm & 6.30pm) Saturday May 17 has been added to the 2008 tour dates.

Bradford singer Gareth for one found the whole experience life-changing. "To be honest, when I was first approached to take part in the TV show I wasn't too keen on the idea. I wasn't sure I was up to the challenge.

"But my life has always been about taking on new challenges and learning new skills. And I'm so pleased I said yes. I feel like I've been on the most fantastic journey. Imagine being on the ice each day and having Torvill and Dean as your instructors. They're skating royalty."

All the above names (minus 2008 winner Suzanne on Friday) join Gareth - who previously performed at the arena as a Pop Idol runner-up - when the tour opens in Attercliffe along with previous winner, rugby player Kyran Bracken and Bonnie Langford.

Some tickets priced £45, £40 and £32.50 are available online at www.sheffieldarena.co.uk or via the credit card hotline on 0114 256 5656.

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