Gazza puts career on ice

Paul Gascoigne will appear in a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special... on ice.

10:37 19 November 2004

Football legend Paul Gascoigne has agreed to appear in a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.

The show, based on the format of the hit BBC series, will see celebrities paired up with professional ice skaters.

Gazza is the first celebrity to sign up and could end up performing with Jayne Torvill - half of the Olympic gold medal-winning duo, Torvill and Dean.

"We are delighted that Gazza has agreed to take part," a spokesman for the BBC told The Sun. "He will be one of six celebrities teamed up with professional skaters for the Christmas special.

"They will be marked by three professional skating judges."

Strictly Come Dancing, which sees celebrities trying their hand at ballroom dancing, has been a big hit, prompting the Beeb to come up with this rather interesting festive spin-off.

Gazza had been linked with this year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here, but couldn't agree a fee with ITV.