Sam, who is famed for playing Chesney Brown for more than 20 years in the ITV soap, is taking to the ice this year

Coronation Street star Sam Aston has been given a boost just days before he makes his debut on Dancing On Ice. The actor is among the famous faces taking to the ice this year.

Sam, who is famed for playing Chesney Brown for more than 20 years in the ITV soap, has recently said why he’s signed up to the hit reality show: “Because I fancy a challenge, I’ve been in Corrie a long time and everyone knows me as Chesney so it’s going to be nice to do something as Sam.

“I think in life it’s important to do things that scare you and take you out of your comfort zone. I’ve never done anything like this before but some of my Corrie cast have been on the show and only have positive things to say so I thought why not. Now is the perfect time, it’s exciting!”

Joining Sam on Dancing On Ice this year are EastEnders star Charlie Brooks, The Only Way Is Essex’s Dan Edgar, footballer Anton Ferdinand, Hollyoaks star Chelsee Healey, stand-up comedian Josh Jones and TV personality and reality star Ferne McCann.

Also making up this year’s line-up are The Traitors star Mollie Pearce, Olympic rower Steve Redgrave, Springwatch presenter Michaela Strachan and Love Island’s Chris Taylor.

And it’s now been revealed that most likely contestant to win the 2025 series, according to new data analysis. The series, which is in its 17th year, is back on screens on Sunday (January 12) and ahead of the first episode, odds experts at Slotozilla have analysed data from the show’s previous winners to reveal what makes a winning contestant.

The research uses 15 years’ worth of data analysed a range of factors, including the contestant’s profession, hometown, age, gender and more. and according to Slotozilla’s findings, 2025’s winner is most likely to be: male, aged 26 to 35, from the North West of England, an actor and an Aquarius.

The research showed that almost three quarters of the previous winners were men. Those aged between 26 and 35 were also most likely to win and contestants from North West regions like Manchester, Liverpool and Yorkshire also lead the way to success.

With these statistics in mind, the experts predict that 31-year-old Sam, from Burnley, is most likely to win. While Sam fits four of the five main criteria, in second place is Manchester-bred comedian Josh Jones, who with three points also fits into the winning age bracket at 32.

Anton Ferdinand, Dan Edgar and Chris Taylor all come in third most likely, scoring only two of the four winning criteria, while Chelsee Healey is the only woman to secure more than one point in the ranking.

Commenting on the findings, Marie Toland, Senior Editor from Slotozilla said: “Dancing on Ice is a firm favourite in the British TV calendar and is one of the shows Brits most look forward to liven up the New Year. Analysing the historical data of past winners we think there’s a strong chance that Sam Aston is the most likely contestant to win, although that all depends on how he performs out on the ice of course!”