Nicky had been giving an after dinner speech on a cruise ship and trying to skate around on a couple of bits of ice when the idea was formed for a show giving insight into the world of ice dancing.

When the producers said that, the pressure was on. "I didn't even have a new partner and they caused me to make it a much bigger show than was envisaged," said Nicky.

The 13-date tour started in Brighton in January and arrives in Worthing on July 18. "It's been an amazing journey. We've been trying to do something I don't think anybody has tried to do in this way before," Nicky said.

"There's dancing, explanations and storytelling, different styles and lots of different music to bring the whole ice dancing world alive, from Victorian times to today.

"I've had different skating partners and different people starring with me – it's entertainment for the whole family.

"Every show is different. People who have come to more than one show have been amazed by the difference between them. The audience makes a big difference to how it develops and comes over."

At Worthing's Pavilion Theatre, a young skater called Charlotte from Guildford will be joining Nicky on the special synthetic ice stage, along with skating couple Steven and Zoe.

"There are four of us on stage skating. It's great fun for them to see the theatrical side of things. They are competition skaters and the idea of being on stage is new to them. I think they have been enjoying it and the audience gets to see more skating.

"There's a lot of action, as well as story telling and I also show a video of me and Karen Barber (his former British Champion skating partner and fellow Dancing on Ice judge) doing our Charlie Chaplin routine.

"It's about boy and girl relationships, too, and stories of what happened and what happens.

"The historical story runs alongside my personal story, which the audience seems to appreciate.

"The audience get involved. There is a Dancing on Ice question and answer session when they tend to ask questions about their favourite stars. Some interesting questions have come out."

This will be Nicky's first time on the stage at Worthing and he is looking forward to it. "I went to the Pavilion to see Bonnie Langford and Sandi Toksvig and it was lovely. It's great to be able to perform there. And I live in Hove, so it's very close."

After the tour, Nicky plans to take a look at the show, with a view to the possibility of another tour, and Dancing on Ice is back later this year and next year.

It's been a busy six months, combining the Dancing on Ice TV shows, Ice Times, the Dancing on Ice tour and the birth of his baby boy, who has been touring with him.

Ice dance is in Nicky's blood. His parents were world ice dance champions and he was Junior World Champion aged 18.

He grew up skating alongside fellow champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

With Karen Barber, they became British Champions, were fifth in the World and were much loved for their Charlie Chaplin routine.

He hung up his skates 15 years ago and concentrated on commentating, producing and presenting but now he's come back to what it's all been about – skating.

"There is a huge amount of excitement surrounding ice skating in this country and Dancing on Ice has allowed some to discover it and others to rediscover it," he said.

"It's the spectacle of ice dance but also the danger and challenge it represents."

Ice Times is at the Pavilion Theatre at 7.45pm on July 18. Tickets are £14.50 or £16.50 (£1.50 off for concessions) and reductions for parties, from the box office on 01903 206206 or click here

Watch a trailer by clicking here


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