Dan Whiston backs Joe Swash to win Dancing On Ice

\'Dancing On Ice\' creative director Dan Whiston thinks Joe Swash is the "dark horse" to win this year.

Dan - who won the competition on three occasions as a professional with Gaynor Faye, Hayley Tamaddon and Bet Twiddle - believes that the former \'EastEnders\' star could taste glory on the ice.

He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I feel like Joe Swash may be a bit of a dark horse in the competition. I think he could come up through the ranks now."

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The 43-year-old skater was also full of praise for Paralympic sprinter Libby Clegg, who has successfully competed on the show despite being registered blind.

He said: "Libby is unbelievable. Not only is it such an ask for a celebrity to step out of their field and start skating, to get a celebrity to step out of their own field who\'s blind to do it, who\'d have ever thought that it would go in the same sentence but it does.

"Libby is doing amazing so I think she could be one to watch. Her and her partner must have some kind of language between them on the ice.

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"Even though she can\'t physically see, she always knows her position. To see a blind athlete produce the work to the standard she is producing is amazing."

Dan, also suggested that standards on \'Dancing On Ice\' have risen since the show first aired in 2006.

He added: "Without a doubt. I mean every year the barriers and bars are pushed. The tricks have got harder, the skating has got harder. You have to keep bringing new and more exciting things every year.

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"The standard is amazing, when you see what the celebrities are producing it really is impressive. As a pro it\'s really exciting to work alongside these people and produce amazing shows on a Sunday night."