HE’S been an actor, a footballer and a soap pin-up – now south Essex’s dance hopeful, Danny Young, is hoping to glide to success on the ice.

The 24-year-old former Coronation Street star will take to the rink as one of the 14 celebrity hopefuls when Dancing on Ice blasts back on to TV this Friday.

Danny, who lives in Thundersley, was signed with Leyton Orient FC before making his name playing Warren Baldwin in the long-running ITV soap.

He will take on the likes of Heather Mills, Bobby Davro, soap actor Gary Lucy and GMTV’s Dr Hilary Jones in the lycra and sequin-filled fifth series of the ice dancing show, with help from Torvill and Dean.

Danny, who recently split from fellow former Corrie actress Nikki Sanderson, who played his girlfriend Candice, said: “I am throwing myself into it. I’ve fallen quite a few times, but I think that’s how you learn.

“I’m lucky enough to have a great partner who has the patience of a saint and constantly pushes me to do well and get things right.

“I can’t believe how much I’m enjoying it and how challenging it has all been, but hopefully it will all be all right on the night.”

Danny’s number one fan, mum Tracey Woolley, 38, who owns the Pure Indulgence beauty salon in Elm Road, Leigh, is right behind her boy’s bid.

She said: “He’s been rehearsing really hard. I think he’s enjoying it, though it’s hard work.

“We’ll be going up to all the shows to support him. I wouldn’t give my ticket away for anything!

“We’ve known about him being on the show for ages, but of course it all had to be hush-hush.”

Tracey is planning to plaster “support Danny” posters up around her salon to drum up local support for Danny, who currently lives with her.

She added: “We’re hoping people will get behind him and vote for him.

“His dad has been ribbing him and calling him Billy Elliot because of the show!

“He always thought Danny would be a footballer or a boxer or something like that, but Danny doesn’t mind the jokes – he’s putting everything into the show.”

Dancing on Ice will be aired at 9pm on Friday, on ITV1.