From the wobbly cobbles of Coronation Street to the equally wobbly world of ice skating, Andy Whyment is looking forward to stopping off at the Manchester Arena on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Skating there will be mad really,” he said. “It will be a right buzz to be there.”

Andy, who plays comical Kirk in the soap, will be bringing the laughs to the ice as he did on the TV shows, with his routines to Let’s Get It On and The Proclaimers’ 500 Miles, as well as the boys’ group dance to YMCA.

While he missed out on the final, to eventual winner Matthew Woldenden and runners up Jorgie Porter and Chico, Andy has no shame in his success on the show.

“I knew I had no chance against Matthew and Jorgie as they were out of this world from the start and Chico really caught them up,” he said of the three finalists who are all on the tour.

“I wasn’t as technically gifted as the others; it’s hard enough just dancing on the floor never mind on an ice rink.

"I did a bit when I was younger, but Matt was a dancer on the West End and you could see that from his first routine.”

With the security of Coronation Street behind him, Andy was able to enjoy his Dancing On Ice experience without the pressure of needing a new direction.

“It was never competitive for me, I was just taking each week at a time as the last thing you want to do is put pressure on yourself,” he said.

Andy will again be skating with professional Vicky Ogden.

He said: “We got on really well. Vicky wouldn’t accept lifts she didn’t feel confident with, but I was really pleased at getting the roll-up lift in our final week.

“She’s a coach as well as a skater, and that really helped us.”

Andy’s also preparing a Bolero in case he tops the audience votes, something he admits is unlikely, even in front of a partisan crowd.

“Me and Jorgie will be fighting it out in Manchester for the local crowd – but she is so much better than me.

“I expect the finals will be Matthew v Jorgie, or Matthew v Sam Attwater who won last year.”

Torvill and Dean’s Dancing On Ice Live, Manchester Arena, Wednesday and Thursday. For tickets contact 0844 847 8000.