21 January 2023 , 22:11
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Carley Stenson says years of wearing skimpy outfits on Hollyoaks mean she has no qualms wearing next to nothing for Dancing On Ice.
The actress, 40, played Steph Cunningham on the Channel 4 soap from 2000 to 2011 and says the experience means she is free of inhibitions on the ITV skating contest.
Mum-of-one Carley said: “My pride went out of the window with Hollyoaks, some of the outfits and lack of outfits, I’m not bothered now!”
Since leaving Hollyoaks, Carley has built a career in musical theatre with lead roles in West End musicals Shrek and Legally Blonde.
She briefly returned to telly in 2021 on BBC One show Doctors.
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Carley Stenson as Steph Cunningham (Channel 4)Carley said she had auditioned for Dancing On Ice before but was not picked – then got pregnant.
She then spurned this year’s offer before being persuaded to take part by husband and Strictly Come Dancing finalist Danny Mac, 34.
She said: “They remembered me and reached out again last year. At the time, I said I was too busy. Danny said it was my time.”
Carley said she and Danny, parents to daughter Skye, one, had no fears about her falling for her ice skating partner Mark Hanretty, 37, because as actors they were used to getting physically close to people on set.
But she added she understood how “lines can be blurred”.
She said: “I’ve been in that situation, pre-Danny, you are seeing each other at your best, you’re playing a sexy character.
“I remember being 17 on Hollyoaks and being told to go snog that guy in the background. That was probably a bit too much at the time. You crack on.”
Carley, who skates to Say You Love Me by Jessie Ware on tonight’s show, said she would love to reach the final.
She told the Hear She Is podcast: “I could have nine to 10 weeks of dancing and feeling like a ballerina on ice, having that beautiful, amazing experience money can’t buy.”