Dancing On Ice’s Vanessa Bauer (Image: Getty)
star Vanessa Bauer was terrified throughout filming sessions that her gravely ill father was about to die.
Despite having a glittering career on national television, all she could think about was his cancer diagnosis and whether he’d pull through or pass away. The “absolutely horrible” situation ended with his death in 2021, which she confessed “hurt so much”.
At first she could scarcely speak about what had happened with anyone other than her therapist, but appearing on ‘s The Real Full Monty – a show raising funds and awareness for cancer – helped her pluck up the courage to talk to other celebrities. She previously told Express.co.uk at the time that the show had marked “a huge step in [her] healing journey”.
Elaborating, she explained: “My dad’s diagnosis was absolutely horrible for the whole family to digest first. He suffered with cancer for six years before he actually passed from it, so my whole seven years of Dancing on Ice were actually overshadowed by my dad having to constantly fight cancer.
“I didn’t know whether he was going to survive or if he was going to pass – it took its toll on my mental health.” The Real Full Monty aired in late 2023, while Vanessa returned to Dancing On Ice in 2024 and 2025.
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Vanessa Bauer at a Dancing on Ice photocall this month (Image: Getty)
Her grief has loomed large in the background of both her personal and professional life.
However, one man putting a smile back on her face is pro football ace James Rowe, who recently whisked her away to Lapland to enjoy the festive season on another level.
James previously played for Reading FC, Cheltenham Town and Aldershot town, before moving into coaching.
He is also a FIFA-licensed football agent – and as their relationship develops, Vanessa has admitted she’s “happier than she’s ever been”.
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Vanessa Bauer with her footballer boyfriend James Rowe (Image: INSTAGRAM)
She opened up in an post, revealing that despite her joy, “a different reality kicks in” the moment she flies back home for Christmas.
However, she added: “I believe that the pulls between my upbringing, our families’ loss and the beautiful life I get to live now is not a burden, but in a way it can be seen as a blessing.
“Perspective has created the person I am now, to keep me grounded, driven, to know life in its many different ways and remain resilient. Gratitude is an understatement and I’ll retain the discipline to keep growing my luck.”
She’s back on Dancing on Ice for 2025, but other opportunities also beckon, and she’s revealed to The Sun that she’s currently working on a movie project.
She explained: “I love Dancing On Ice and I would love to continue doing it for as long as I can but at the same time, other opportunities are piling up and I’m super grateful for everything coming my way right now.”