UK NEWS
I’M DANCING ON THIN ICE SAYS PRISON PIN-UP
Donal MacIntyre with Florentine Houdiniere
By David Stephenson
DANCING On Ice finalist Donal MacIntyre is a prison pin-up.
The undercover reporter, who stars in tonight’s grand final on ITV1, has revealed an unlikely fan base in Her Majesty’s Prisons.
He said: “I’ve had more than 50 letters from inmates. I’ve been inundated really. Dancing On Ice has apparently become number-one viewing inside.
“I was stopped by one prison officer who said the show had a calming effect on the prisoners in some of their most secure establishments.
“I then got stopped by one guy in Guildford who said, ‘I’ve just come out after a five-year stretch and we love your stuff. We really love Dancing On Ice. Loved your outfit from the Blues Brothers’.”
Asked whether prison fans were male or female, the 43-year-old journalist said: “It seems to be male, exclusively.
The prisons were ones in Surrey and a high-secure unit.
“I’ve also had messages from inmates on my mobile and on Facebook.”
MacIntyre is up against former X Factor finalist and favourite Ray Quinn, and singer Jessica Taylor, wife of former England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen.
But he believes he has no chance of victory: “I can’t win. Let’s be realistic. If I did win, I would absolutely hand the trophy over to Ray Quinn as the best skater and best dancer.
“If they vote for the contestant they feel most sorry for, or they like my Dodo impression on the fly, then I might get through to the Bolero. I would love to get to that point.
“The whole thing just feels like Paxman going on a date with Jordan. The whole worlds don’t match up. We are the comedy element.”
Asked about training, he said: “I wake every morning feeling like I’ve recovered from a car crash. I am totally exhausted, completely shattered.
“Thank God this journey ends tonight. I only wanted to make it past week one, which I’ve done.”
And the secret to his success? “I escaped skate-offs with really good contestants.”
