After wowing TV and arena audiences alike since 2006, Dancing on Ice is returning to Wembley Arena this month for more breathtaking routines, spectacular spins and daredevil stunts (my personal favourite is the heart-stopping headbanger).

Skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will be joined by stars from the seven seasons of the hit series, including 2012 champion Matthew Wolfenden from Emmerdale, Britain’s number one skier Chemmy Alcott, Sugababes singer Heidi Range and last year’s winner, former EastEnders actor Sam Attwater, who played the short-fused teenager in the soap.

“I haven’t done enough preparation!” laughs Sam, who was partnered by skating pro Brianne Delcourt last year. “I was a bit wobbly when I first got back on the ice but I’m starting to get a bit stronger. The main thing was the lifts – it was a bit alarming when I hadn’t done it for so long!”

Sam has been very busy since his time on the show and last year’s tour – in July 2011 he made his West End debut in Dreamboats and Petticoats at the Playhouse Theatre, which ran until February this year, and at Christmas he played Dick Whittington with Dame Edna Everage at the Wimbledon Theatre.

The live show will feature new and familiar routines from the couples and group numbers, and the audience will get to vote for a winner on each show as well as an overall tour winner. As well as skating, stars Torvill and Dean will be acting as presenters on the tour too, with fellow skating stars Robin Cousins and Karen Barber, Christopher Biggins and Kyran Bracken as the judges.

“The tours are great,” says Sam, “you get really close to everyone. It’s harder on the TV show because everyone’s training but on the tour we train together and travel together, you really get to know each other.”

Dancing on Ice is on at Wembley Arena, on Tuesday, April 17 at 4.30pm and 8pm. Details: 08444 999955, www.dancingonicetour.co.uk