star says her long-term partner Nick Chevallier was “nervous” about her doing the show at first, due to her age.
At 58 years old, the presenter is this year’s second remaining contestant, behind the recently eliminated 62-year-old Sir Steve Redgrave.
Pressed on Nick not being confident about her getting on the ice at first, Michaela said she understood his concerns.
“It’s so funny because my friends and family have a party back in South Africa every Sunday to watch the show,” she told Bella Magazine.
Read More…
Dancing On Ice’s Michaela Strachan and Mark Hanretty are one the favourite pairs to win the show (Image: PA)
“Someone took a video of Nick, and he looked so nervous!
“I think his mind is going, ‘Please don’t fall over’. He’s completely encouraging, he just doesn’t want me to hurt myself.
“I think his attitude at the beginning was that I’m 58 years old.”
Michaela went on to say: “As any woman that’s been through menopause will know, you don’t mend as well when you get to this age.”
Don’t Miss… [WATCH] [REVEALED]
Michaela Strachan has proven age is just a number with her impressive efforts so far (Image: PA)
Despite concerns, the presenter has proved that age is just a number with her impressive efforts on the ice so far.
Since the show began, she and her skating partner Mark Hanretty have been placed in the top three on the leader board every week.
More recently last week, the host was awarded three nines from judges Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse and Jayne Torvill, and an 8.5 by Christopher Dean.
This score put the pair second on the leader board, behind The Only Way Is Essex star Dan Edgar.
While she is still in the running to be the first female champion in 12 years, current odds suggest that she has taken a slight step back in being the overall favourite to win.
Kayley Cornelius of Betfred said of the change: “Michaela’s chances of winning the show have taken a slight dip, but nothing too dramatic.
“Her odds moved from 6/5 (about a 45% probability) to 5/4 (around 44%). So, not a massive change, but it does hint that her support might be fading a bit.”
She added: “What’s more interesting is the movement in Dan Edgar’s odds.
“Earlier this week, he was priced at 3/1 (about a 25% probability), but now he’s at a more competitive 9/4 (around 30%). That’s a pretty big jump overnight and shows how punters’ support is shifting.”
Dancing On Ice continues tonight at 6.30pm on ITV and ITVX.