Denise Van Outen shows off her moves ahead of the Dancing On Ice launch

The hit ITV series is returning on Sunday amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

And Denise Van Outen got stuck into Dancing On Ice rehearsals on Saturday as she showed off her skating moves.

Although, the presenter and performer, 46, left her professional partner Matt Evers in hysterics as she appeared to take a tumble on the ice at one stage.

Denise showed off her toned figure in neon leopard print leggings which she teamed with a cosy black zip-up top.

The TV star left her blonde locks loose in a relaxed hairdo and appeared to go makeup-free as she flashed a smile.

Professional skater, Matt, 44, looked stylish in an all-black ensemble although he injected a pop of colour with a red striped jacket.

The duo appeared in great spirits as they pulled a series of impressive moves on the ice rink ahead of the first show.

Although at one stage, Denise left Matt in hysterics as she appeared to take a tumble and she animatedly lay sprawled out on the ice. 

Only recently, the presenter spoke about her upcoming debut on Dancing On Ice and said she was hoping the show will help prevent ‘the old middle-aged spread’.

She quipped: ‘I never used to do any exercise years ago and I do now. I’m 46 and I want to keep my body in shape, tone my bum and thighs and prevent the old middle-aged spread!’

Talking about her dancing skills, Denise joked that she is a ‘very good dancer in my kitchen after a few glasses of wine’.

She said: ‘I would say I was a dancer in my youth and the last time I danced was on Strictly which was in 2012. I’m a very good dancer in my kitchen after a few glasses of wine but that’s as far as it goes and I’ve never taken it to the rink! 

‘I think if I can master the skating then the old dancing ability will hopefully come back and I can marry the two and hopefully be elegant and graceful… rather than disgraceful.’

The new series of Dancing On Ice will see the judges protected by perspex screens and no studio audience amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

Newly released images of the ITV show’s studios last week saw large screens placed in front of the judges chairs to shield Ashley Banjo, John Barrowman, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

The judging panel will also be sat far apart, keeping in line with social distancing measures.

For the first time in its history the studio at Bovingdon Airfield in Hertfordshire will have no audience, a move mirroring that of Strictly Come Dancing.

The skating celebrities will also watch each other perform from socially-distanced tables to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.   

A source told The Sun: ‘Everyone needs a bit of glitz and glamour in their lives right now and TV shows are doing their best to stay on air and be safe.  

‘ITV showed they could do it with I’m A Celebrity and now they’re doing it again with Dancing On Ice.

‘They’ve made big changes to the studio, including the judging panel and audience, and hope this, as well as their daily vigilance, will be enough to keep it on air.’

Dancing On Ice recently confirmed that it will be returning to screens on January 17.

ITV reassured fans last Wednesday that the show will be back as planned to provide some entertainment during the latest lockdown, however a few new precautions will be in place including perspex dividers between the judges and no audience. 

The news comes amid claims the celebs and their professional skating partners were concerned about coronavirus hitting the show and it being cancelled

Confirming the return of the hit series, ITV tweeted: ‘Confirmed: Dancing on Ice returns Sunday 17 January at 6pm on ITV. 

‘Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby once again return to present the show and the expert Ice Panel of Torvill and Dean, John Barrowman and Ashley Banjo.’

Dancing On Ice 2021 starts this Sunday at 6pm on ITV.