Borders sprint ace Libby joins reality TV show Dancing On Ice

Champion Borders athlete Libby Clegg MBE is fond of accepting new challenges –that’s why she’s signed up for a top-rated ITV reality show.
Libby Clegg, with guide Chris Clarke, at the medal ceremony with gold following her 100m T11 triumph in Rio in 2016  (onEdition)Libby Clegg, with guide Chris Clarke, at the medal ceremony with gold following her 100m T11 triumph in Rio in 2016  (onEdition)
Libby Clegg, with guide Chris Clarke, at the medal ceremony with gold following her 100m T11 triumph in Rio in 2016 (onEdition)

It was announced recently that Paralympic gold medallist Libby (29) would be taking part in Dancing On Ice 2020, which comes to ITV screens on January 5.

Visually impaired Libby is also the first registered blind person to take part in the show, which will be hosted again by Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.

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The sprinter, with family links in Newcastleton and Langholm, was approached to audition for the programme and said she thought the bosses might be looking for a range of personalities and abilities.

However, she added: “I can stand up, but I’ve never really skated before!

“It seemed such a good opportunity – too good to pass up – and it’s a chance to learn a new skill.”

Libby added that, taking part in an elite sport, it was easy to become “narrow minded” and just focus on your own event.

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She had never really thought about ice skating until this opportunity came up.

After taking part in the IPC World Championships, Libby represented Team GB at the Paralympic Games in Beijing 2008 and London 2012, winning silver medals at both for the 100m sprint.

At Rio in 2016, she excelled with two gold medals for the 100m and 200m, alongside guide runner Chris Clarke.

She later received an MBE for her contributions to athletics and charity.

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After taking a break from athletics to look after her health, and giving birth in April to her first son, Edward, Libby returned to major competition at the World Para Athleitcs Championships in Dubai last month.

Unfortunately, she was disqualified in her 200m T11 semi-final because of a false start.But she said she was delighted to have got so far on her comeback and her focus was now firmly on the Tokyo Olympics next year.

Libby will be partnered in Dancing On Ice by professional skater Mark Hanretty and is due to compete alongside 11 other celebrities – Michael Barrymore, Maura Higgins, Kevin Kilbane, Lucrezia Millarini, H from Steps, Lisa George, Perri Kiely, Caprice Bourret, Joe Swash, Ben Hanlin and Trisha Goddard.