We're 13-year-old ice skaters from Lancashire & we'll be on TV this Xmas -after our show in Blackpool!
Two young ice skating stars from Blackpool have shared all about their exciting career with us so far as they promote their show currently on at the Pleasure Beach Arena.
It’s been a busy year for 13-year-olds Darcy Walshaw and Hugo Brook.
The young ice skaters, who train for more than 20 hours across six days of the week, started the year with a once in a lifetime opportunity - touring with ice dancing legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
St George’s School pupil Darcy told us: “That was very fun. The atmosphere was just amazing and everyone was so lovely to me and Hugo, like welcoming us to the show world. We were just so lucky to be there and we were so shocked when we got told.”
The pair played a young Torvill and Dean in 24 shows across five arenas, performing in front of a quarter of a million people in total.
Hugo, who attends AKS Lytham, said: “It was just amazing to be there and be able to watch the other skaters as well. The crowd were then all cheering us on, people even asked for our autograph- I felt like I was famous!”
A new level of stardom is soon to come their way too as an ITV show all about that tour, called ‘Torvill and Dean: Our Last Dance’, is set to air on December 28, of course starring the Blackpool pair.
Hugo said “That'll be exciting to see ourselves on TV” whilst Darcy added: “This will be the biggest thing we’ve ever done on TV”.
The pair actually both got into skating relatively late in life, when compared to their fellow skaters.
Darcy started in 2019, inspired by her family friend Dan Whiston, whilst Hugo started the year later, inspired by the ice skating pantomimes on at the Pleasure Beach each year.
Explaining why she enjoys ice skating so much, Darcy told us: “I like it because of the friendships you make, and also because of the experiences it can give you, like through your life.”
Hugo meanwhile added: “Yeah, it's just socially really good and you also learn lots from it, not just social skills, but everything - it’s a great experience.”
Sticking to their Blackpool roots is very important for the little stars and currently they are starring in Aladdin: An Enchanted Tale On Ice at the Pleasure Beach Arena.
Hugo plays the Genie whilst Darcey is Jasmine’s understudy and the show is presented by BIDCA (Blackpool Ice Drome Charity Association) meaning funds raised will go towards less fortunate children across the Fylde Coast.
Hugo said: “It’s a really good charity to be helping out, it’s children helping children. They showed us a video the other day which just reminded us of why we do it, to give them a bit of excitement and help them have a good Christmas.”
Darcy said: “For the first show, we gave free tickets to children to come and watch us to give them a good night. They wouldn't usually be able to do something like that.”
Asked why people on the Fylde Coast should come and see them in Aladdin, Hugo replied: “To have a good night and to help the charity!”
Darcy then said: “It’s been on for like ages- 50 years! It’s very popular at Christmas, especially because Blackpool’s the oldest ice show arena and it’s also all children performing as well.”
“It inspires children to skate too, because that’s how I got inspired!”, Hugo interjected.
Looking forward to the future, the pair are just excited to see where their skating will take them.
In the immediate future it means plenty more competitions - both just competed in the Figure Skating Championships last month, Hugo even placing third in his boys category.
It's then up to them whether they prefer the TV show route or the Olympics after all the world’s their oyster say their mums.
Hugo’s mum Claire, also speaking on behalf of Darcey’s mum, said: “They’re just absolutely amazing. We both never expected them to achieve what they've achieved in the short time that they've been skating. A lot of skaters start from like the age of three, but these have come in quite late, like ages seven and eight, so we’re so proud of them.
“And together as a couple, they just work so well together, they bounce off each other. I think that's why they were chosen to play little Chris and little Jane for the tour - the chemistry that they have and the fun that they have together. They're just great kids and we're very, very proud.”
Running until December 26, tickets for BIDCA’s Aladdin: An Enchanted Tale on Ice can be bought here.