The former England Rugby international has been paired up with Nina Ulnova, from Moscow, and pieces, including a scene from Titanic, have been choreographed by Olympic gold medallist Robin Cousins to add to the show.

Scrum-half Kyran wowed audiences and judges with his Dancing on Ice performances, achieving the highest score in show history, 29.5 out of 30, in the semi final of the second series with partner Melanie Lambert.

Pitted against actress Clare Buckfield and former Blue member Duncan James, he triumphed at the finals and went on to be crowned Champion of Champions, repeating his 29.5 score.

"I think I'm going to be in for a shock – it's completely different from the TV show," he said, before embarking on training with Robin.

In fact, the premiere in Rotterdam was the first time Kyran had seen a Holiday on Ice show. "It's exciting but joining a show with a professional cast is outside the comfort zone and I want to fit in and do well.

"In the TV show you are on your own with your partner but Holiday on Ice is a big team effort. You're blending in with a team of 40 skaters and trying to live up to the high standard they expect."

Kyran became known for his body popping, something he learned as a boy, in the show and hopes he can bring some of that into Romanza.

He met Nina for the first time in Rotterdam and she told her colleagues he was strong and a good skater and was reunited with show judge Robin.

"We've had a few chats and get on well. He's very down to earth and I'm looking forward to working with him."

Kyran, 36, played rugby from the age of about seven and went on to play for Bristol, Saracens and made his England debut in 1993 against the All Blacks.

He won 50 caps before retiring in 2003 after being part of England's victorious Rugby World Cup squad, having suffered many injuries, although he said the decision was mainly due to his age.

Now a coach with Saracens, his agent went to him with the suggestion of joining Dancing on Ice.

"I'd never skated before and I thought it would be fun," Kyran said. "Everyone took the mickey when they found out. That was it for a few weeks.

"I found it really good for fitness, for stability and for my bad back. I've had three operations on my back. The skating has made it a lot better.

"All the other new skaters suffered sprains and other injuries but I suppose Iwas used to it."

Will his future include skating? "I'm going to carry on and use it for fitness and for fun," he said.

"I'm a very low level skater and I'd love to learn to do an axle and some of the moves it takes a long time to learn."

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