Excitement is mounting as Ruddington’s most famous park runner continues to progress in a top-rated, national, television contest.
Stef Reid MBE, a track and field paralympian who competes for Team GB, has become one of the big stars of the fourteenth series of ITV’s ‘Dancing on Ice’. Guided by professional partner and choreographer Andy Buchanan, viewers nationwide have watched in admiration as the novice skater has progressed all the way through to Week 6 of the competition. She’s up against other stars who’re still in it such as Coronation Street actress Sally Dynevor, Pussycat Dolls singer & dancer Kimberly Wyatt, Bez from The Happy Mondays and Olympic BMX racer Kye Whyte.
Her achievement is even more impressive because, aged 16, she lost her right foot in a boating accident – with a surgeon in Toronto then having to amputate her right leg below the knee to save her life. Undeterred, and using a prosthetic limb, she went on to be a top T44 long jumper and sprinter; a multiple medal winner at European and world level. Among her successes, Stef won a bronze medal in the 200m at the 2008 Summer Paralympics and silver in the long jump at the 2012 Summer Paralympics.
She is married to Canadian wheelchair racer Brent Lakatos and they now live locally – both training at Loughborough University. Up until her rehearsals for ‘Dancing on Ice’ started last October, including tuition at Nottingham Ice Stadium (above), Stef was also to be seen most Saturday mornings in Ruddington. That’s because she usually takes part in the 5K Rushcliffe Parkrun; something she reveals she’s really missing at the moment!
After being a semi-finalist on Celebrity MasterChef in 2018, Stef decided to take the plunge when asked if she’d take part in this latest TV challenge – Tweeting before her first appearance in January: “Don’t be afraid of being a beginner! It has been the most wonderful, fun and challenging three months and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!”
Last weekend, when Stef and Andy ice danced to ‘Kissing You’ by Des’ree, the four judges including Nottingham’s own Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean scored them in joint 3rd place, meaning they could return to skate yet again! Amazed by their success, Stef Tweeted: “Sunday night was even better than I dreamed it could be! Thank you so much for your messages – I never thought I would be so happy to make so many people cry! Thank you so much for supporting us.”
This Sunday is set to be a ‘Musicals’ themed routine. Fellow Ruddington park runners, alongside her fans nationwide, will again be rooting for Stef Reid and Andy Buchanan with whatever they can dream up this time. Good luck, both!
‘Dancing on ICE’ is broadcast ‘live’ on Sunday Night at 6.00pm on ITV1 – and after that can be viewed on the ITV Hub.
{Other photos courtesy of Stef Reid}
