CRICKETING legend Ryan Sidebottom has taken to York's Ice Factor rink as he prepares to swap his cricket whites for sequins and skates on TV's Dancing on Ice.

The retired Yorkshire and England player is skating for the first time as he hopes Yorkshire pride and passion will help him glide through the first round of the show.

Ryan and his dance partner Brandee Malto took a short break from their intensive training schedule to meet fans this morning at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland at the Designer Outlet in Fulford. He said:“This is a massive challenge but I’m loving it."

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: "We’re urging the whole county to get behind him.”

Maria Farrugia, of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, which runs the rink, said:The return of Dancing on Ice to our TV screens just helps to make ice skating current and cool and so getting behind local Yorkshireman Ryan was a must!”