Scots Dancing On Ice pro Mark Hanretty on injuries, hard work, and being encouraged to talk back to judges

SKATER Mark Hanretty says Dancing On Ice pros don’t fear getting the boot for being mouthy like Strictly’s Brendan Cole.

In fact, TV bosses actually fancy a bit of biting backchat.

On Tuesday, Brendan, an ever-present who won the first Strictly series with Natasha Kaplinsky, revealed on Sunday Post columnist Lorraine Kelly’s morning show how the BBC hadn’t renewed his contract.

Insiders suggested arguing with new head judge Shirley Ballas helped seal his fate and that pros are scared to speak out.

But Paisley-born Mark, 32, who is paired with Donna Air, 38, says there is no pro ban on the ITV show.

“We’ve actually been encouraged to air our views if there’s something the judges say we don’t agree with,” said Mark.

“The production team have been very pro-active in allowing the professionals to have an increasing voice on the show.

“We’re told our voice is worthy if we feel it’s important and we can absolutely say something back to a judge. Fortunately, I haven’t had anything to debate as everyone has been so lovely with their comments about the choreography.

“So, thus far, there’s been no need, but who knows?”

Mark missed the last series in 2014 as a legacy of a horror shoulder injury live on the show the previous year. He was initially asked back as a choreographer before being asked to pair with Donna late last year.

But while he and Donna have been getting high praise and high marks, he says it’s all down to hard graft.

“People have said she’s very elegant across the ice but that’s more down to the work she’s put in rather than a God-given grace,” said Mark.

“Hard work is more important than talent.

“I’d rather pick a celebrity that had a natural work ethic rather than natural talent and not be keen to work. I’m blessed with Donna.”

Scots rugby star Max Evans’ partner Ale Izquierdo was hospitalised last week after he accidentally dropped her, while Corrie’s Antony Cotton suffered two fractured ribs during training.

And Mark says the danger isn’t always appreciated. “There’s an inevitability that the celebs end up injured in some way. Most of the girls get rib problems because they’re pushed and pulled around a lot, and that certainly includes Donna.

“It’s trying to ensure the injuries are manageable and not so catastrophic it rules you out. There is always that fear.

“In real figure skating competition falls are commonplace yet that’s almost not justifiable on a mainstream reality TV show. The jeopardy for the celebs in so high.”Although Mark was honoured to be asked back as a choreographer and even more excited to be skating, there is a price to pay.

He has to travel from the Nottingham home he shares with wife Kathy and their two kids Lukasz, five, and Liola, 10 months, to train with Donna in London.

And that meant missing Lukasz turning five on Friday and his big birthday party yesterday.

“That’s was really tough,” confided Mark. “Being daddy is the most important job for me and I can’t commit to that any more than one day a week just now.

“That’s the only pitfall of having such a great experience on the show.”

And with Donna also a parent, he says family life is ultimately more important.

“It’d be lovely to make the final, and that’s a definite possibility.

“But because we’re both parents we recognise her winning is not the be-all and end-all. If we were to go out this weekend, we’re so blessed in other areas of our life that we wouldn’t be distraught.”

Mark says he can’t understand why singer Lemar has been in the skate-off three weeks running as “he’s not the weakest by any stretch”.

And he slated the suggestion that anyone other than Torvill and Dean should have the head judge’s casting vote after some voting controversy.

“They are the legends of our sport and their position as head judges is undisputedly justified,” said Mark.Meanwhile Mark, whose family live in Glasgow, is hoping for more backing north of the Border.

“I don’t think people maybe realise I’m Scots,” he adds.

“Max is definitely seen as the token Scot so I need to make sure people know I’m the token Scottish pro as well. If I am lucky enough to get asked to do the tour, I’m really looking forward to performing in Scotland again.”

Dancing On Ice, ITV, tonight, 6pm.