I’ve known Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean since the early 80s, when we were all Olympians together. They’re such icons of British sport, and competing at the same time as them was really special for me, so when the producers of Dancing on Ice asked me to take part in a celebration of the 40th anniversary of their famous 1984 Olympic win, I was more than happy to.
So I gave an interview, and at the end of the segment, I jokingly said: “I suppose you’re going to try and get me on the show now.” They tried pretty hard over the summer and by the end I had agreed, thinking that I was too old and inflexible so I would never pass the ice test or the physio checks. To my surprise, I made it through both and here we are. I am the oldest contestant on the show and they tell me I’m one of the tallest they’ve ever had. I’m certainly the heaviest by quite a long way!
Rowers tend to have pretty good balance but that’s been slipping away over the past few years when I’ve not been doing any sport really. But the dance skates are an absolute nightmare! Getting me a pair that would fit was a mission. I’m a size 12, which is not that unusual and you can get dance skates in that length, but I’ve got really wide feet and they just don’t come in the right width for me at all.
I’m good under pressure. I got really sick with Colitis 15 weeks before I had to compete at the Barcelona Olympics. I was in the loo 10 times a day, my performance was tailing off, I was in agony. I look back now and realise how sick I was. Colitis is something you just can’t control. I’m married to a doctor, so I was really lucky that she realised there was something major going on and got me some help.
I got a diagnosis, started treatment, and – luckily – my performance began coming back, but it was a really close call. When I won the gold medal I wasn't thinking much about my Colitis.
But when I got home, the stomach cramps returned. I was bent double in agony with a horrible flare. I was back to being really sick. I was so lucky to have amazing people around me. It was a scary time.
Sir Steve Redgrave
Who lives with Colitis
So now I’m 62 and I’m doing reality TV! It’s a big challenge and has definitely been a learning curve. The first time we all met up as contestants at the ice rink, I looked around and could see the other celebrities looking like they knew what they were doing. Some of them were pretty good. Then it was my turn. I got on the ice to skate up to Torvil and Dean for my interview, and Chris Dean had to actually come over to get me and drag me to the middle of the ice. The shame of it! So that’s where I started from.
Obviously I’m competitive, but it’s a long time since I last competed. Two of the other contestants (including fellow Crohn’s & Colitis UK ambassador Mollie Pearce) weren’t even born when I won my final Olympic Gold in Sydney. I dread to think how many of them weren’t born when I started rowing!
Everyone knows me as a rower, but I also love skiing. I’m actually a qualified ski instructor; I taught my sister, my mother-in-law, and my kids to ski. People reckon being good on the snow should be an advantage on the ice, but sadly not! I’m a grandfather now, and it’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. I have had a lot of great moments in my time, but when my daughter told me she would like me to teach my granddaughter to ski, that was so special. I can’t wait to do it. I was so proud to be asked.
My granddaughter is under two, so she has never seen me compete either. I think her being able to watch me on Dancing on Ice is also one of the motivations for me doing the show.
Let’s see how it goes. I’m realistic about my chances, but after all the training I reckon I must be getting a bit better because I’ve started getting a little more competitive with myself and wondering whether I can last for a few weeks rather than going out straight away.
