From the Dales to the Dancing on Ice, Emmerdale actor and Fylde star Joe-Warren Plant announced to be joining the line up for Dancing on Ice 2021

Hoping to follow in the skates of fellow Fylde champions Hayley Tammadon and Daniel Whiston, now a creative director on the hit ITV show, the 18-year-old from Blackpool said he was '100 per cent in it to win it.'

The teenage actor, who is represented by Scream Talent Management based in Media City Salford and London, and a winner of the British Best Soap young actor award added he is really excited with the opportunity.

He said: "My thanks go out to Jess Bell and the team at Scream Management here in Blackpool and I am really looking forward to this new challenge. ”

Joe, who plays Jacob Gallagher in the soap, in the last two years has been involved in one of his biggest storylines to date - with the unfolding of a dark grooming storyline with teacher and his dad David’s girlfriend Maya Stepney.

His on-screen father Matthew Wolfenden, who plays David, also starred in Dancing on Ice and won the trophy with professional partner Nina Ulanova in 2012.

Joe started out in acting on the Fylde coast, training at Scream Theatre School in the resort from the age of four. He joined the sister representation company Scream Management and began auditioning for various television programmes.

His breakthrough came when he was eight years old and he auditioned alongside hundreds of youngsters to win the role new character Jacob Gallagher in the award-winning soap.

Joe, a former pupil of Baines School in Poulton, has continued his studies throughout his young career.

Head of talent at Scream Jess Bell, who is a champion of Fylde's creative talent said she was absolutely delighted with Joe's upcoming role in the family entertainment show.

She said: “We are super proud and delighted for Joe, he is an amazing talent and has been part of the Scream team since the age of four and doing a great job all while continuing his education.

"This has been a wonderful journey for him and he totally deserves this prime-time TV success and this exciting opportunity to be part of one of the most popular shows on television. Go Joe!”

Joe, who grew up in Blackpool with parents Stephanie and Warren and his younger brother and sister has often spoken of how his family have championed him through his career.

He is the second star to be confirmed for the ITV skating show after singer and radio presenter Myleene Klass was revealed at the weekend.

The announcement was made by soap queen and writer Sharon Marshall on This Morning with hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, who also present DOI.

Dancing On Ice returns in January 2021 on ITV.

For more on Sceam Theatre School visit https://screamtheatreschools.com/