Dr Hilary Jones

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06 January 2010, 15:17

Age: 56
Occupation: GMTV doctor
Skating partner: Alexandra Shauman

Breakfast TV’s dishy doc admits he’s a total novice when it comes to ice skating –and fears he could come in for a mauling from the judges.

He revealed: "I've probably been on ice for a total of 20 minutes in my entire life. That would've been on an ice rink on a skiing trip at school over thirty years ago and maybe once for a GMTV production a few years ago where I just had to stand there. I didn't actually have to skate.

“So that, combined with maybe slipping on ice on a cold winter's morning outside my front door, is the extent of my experience.

“To sum things up I would say progress has been slow. Four weeks ago I couldn't even stand up on the frozen water and but now I can put my boots on on my own which is a major step forward.”

So how does he think he’ll fare with the judges?

“I'm slightly nervous about what those pesky judges are going to make of my skating style, “ he confessed.

“I've always been a fairly humble kind of bloke and the judges know what they are talking about, so if they want to tell me I am rubbish then I will accept that I am. And if they take the mickey then I will understand that too, because that's probably exactly what I would do in their position, so it's par for the cause.

“But it will be intriguing to see what they have to say and if they can find anything vaguely good to say then I will be thrilled. Have I got rhythm? I don't know yet. I've certainly never been complimented on my dancing. I would say I'm not quite Mr Bean but neither am I John Travolta”

A keen squash player, swimmer and windsurfer Dr Hilary says he agreed to appear in the show to highlight the benefits of exercise.

“I do believe that not enough doctors actually practice what they preach and get off their bums and do something to keep fit. So part of my reason for doing this was to show people how good it is to do some exercise and that you can have some fun at the same time.

"But I don't think people realise how full-on exercise skating is because it looks quite easy, but by God it is the most difficult sport I have ever attempted by far. The concentration required is so intense, there is a lot of mental skill required as well. But I think perhaps breathing is the most important thing for me at the moment – I don't think I'll get very far if I forget to breathe.”

Watch all of Dr Hilary Jones' performances

Last updated: 18 February 2010, 09:06