Last year’s Dancing On Ice runner-up Brooke Vincent, 26, came second to Jake Quickenden, 30, in last year’s final and insisted she took longer to learn basic steps because of her lack of dance experience. Speaking of former Strictly Come Dancing professional James, she exclusively told Express.co.uk: “He’s obviously a wonderful dancer. I think it’s challenging enough with having dance experience so it’ll probably be more challenging for those who haven’t. I know a lot of my story was learning how to hold myself and keeping my legs straight and in line and all things like that which James will already know.
“That would have already been installed in him, but a lot of people nowadays are pretty much dance trained anyway.
“To do it on ice anyway is completely different so I think everyone has got a good run for the winning.”
James, who is partnered up with Alexandra Schauman on the ITV show, recently defended his dance background after viewers claimed he had an advantage.
He told The Sun: “People need to understand how bad I was when I started preparing for this three months ago.
“I was ‘cling on to the edge of the ice rink’ bad.
“I am still terrified of ice skating to be honest. Every time I build up any speed I feel out of control.
“And when I lift Alex I am paranoid about dropping her because I am convinced that if I do drop her I am going to kill her.”
Meanwhile, Brooke is rooting for her Coronation Street co-star Jane Danson, who is partnered up with Sylvain Longchambon, to win.
The latter is the husband of Brooke and Jane’s co-star Samia Longchambon.
Brooke admitted she had been giving Jane tips, adding: “She is mega committed and mega excited so I’m excited for her.
“I know obviously what’s coming for her so it’s really exciting to see. She really really loves Dancing On Ice anyway.”
She added: “She’s so lucky because she’s really good friends with Samia and Sylvain… she’s got Sylvain there.
“Obviously he knows that side of things and Samia knows the other side of things so it’s really really good that she’s got them both as a unit around her.”
Brooke also took to Twitter to share her support for Jane ahead of the first episode earlier this month.
In view of her 587,000 followers, she wrote: “Massive good luck to everyone at @dancingonice today!!!
“I’ve got butterflies for you all!! You will be FAB!!!!! Especially our lovely @RealJaneDanson!! Also good luck @KemCetinay doing all the backstage gossip.”
The actress also reacted to her former co-star Alex Beresford’s tweet, who wrote: “So many emotions watching @dancingonice.
“Never used this word before but got massive FOMO! Good luck to all the contestants this year! xxx.”
Brooke replied: “This is EXACTLY how I feel!!!!!”
Dancing On Ice continues tonight at 6pm on ITV.