DANCING On Ice stars took fans through their paces in a weekend masterclass.

Stars of the hit TV show, Daniel Whiston and Karen Barber, taught their skills to fans who had travelled miles to Blackburn Ice Arena on Saturday afternoon.

As well as a two-hour skating lesson, suitable for all ages and abilities, the pair also taught arena members in a special class on Sunday.

Karen has been involved with Dancing on Ice since it started in 2006, and trains the celebrity skaters before the live shows.

Daniel has won three times, dancing with celebrities Gaynor Faye, Hayley Tamaddon and Beth Tweddle.

Karen said: “We’ve had an absolutely brilliant time in Blackburn and the facilities here are excellent. What was wonderful was how many people told us that they enjoyed Dancing on Ice and that they had wanted to come and skate with us.

“One lady had travelled especially up for the event from Essex, which was incredible. It’s really good to help people who love the show get out there on the ice and give them tips.

“On Sunday we met 30 arena members who are regulars and there are some amazing skaters in Blackburn.”

Accrington woman Stephanie Grimshaw, 56, was one of the people who signed up to Saturday’s class with her friend Sarah Hargreaves.

She said: “I came along with my friend and we were just two fifty-plus ladies having a go. I haven’t skated in years and even then I was hanging off the side. Saturday was brilliant.”

Lancashire Telegraph picture desk assistant Joanne Fenwick was one of the pupils who took to the ice

THOUGH I have skated before, the last time was about eight years ago at the Rockefeller Centre in New York.
It wasn’t as though I was constantly falling over but I spent a lot of the time holding on to the side.
Before that, the last time I skated I was a child, so it was a bit unnerving turning up at the ice rink knowing I was going to skate before these professionals.
It was amazing, though. As soon as I got there they both had hold of me and were guiding me across the ice. I felt safe and secure as they both had tight hold and were pulling me along. As we were looping around the ice they were telling me not to worry about skating myself along yet. They told me to get used to ‘stamping’ on to the ice. As I got used to that I started to glide. Then they showed me how to slide down as they held me into a form.
It was fantastic and I can’t wait to get out on to the ice again.