Coronation Street star Zaraah Abrahams is the latest contestant in ITV1’s Dancing on Ice, replacing GMTV’s Michael Underwood who was forced to pull out of the competition earlier this week after breaking his ankle.

Twenty year old Zaraah is best known for playing factory girl Joanna Jackson on the Street and has now taken up a role as school girl Michaela in the BBC1 drama Waterloo Road.

Having been practicing on the ice as a stand-in since November, Zaraah nevertheless had mixed feelings when she took the call and heard she was in the competition.

“I always said I’d only ever want to go in if someone couldn’t take the pressure of the competition not if someone hurt themselves. I really loved watching Michael and ironically he is the only one of the contestants I knew already, so I couldn’t believe it when I heard I would be replacing him.”

“It would have been great to see him continue. I feel great that I’m in the show but I definately wish he was too.”

Partnered with Fred Palascak who first danced with Sarah Greene this year, Zaraah is convinced that they will prove a force to be reckoned with.

“Am I any good? I’d definitely want to watch me,” she laughs.

“I’ve been practicing with Fred since Wednesday. I love him. He’s got such a dry sense of humour. We learn from each other and bounce from each other and I think we’re going to make a good team. We’ve not had time to find faults from each other yet like some of the other contestants but maybe give it time I guess as we spend more time together!”

“I’d say my ability on the ice at the minute is probably where the other contestants were in the second show. I think I’m pretty up to scratch though. I’m probably behind on nerves though. They’ve all got that out of the way with the first show but it’s harder for me.”

Training on the ice as a reserve for a couple of months now, Zaraah has an advantage in that none of the other contestants have seen her skate.

“I started training at the end of November. I’ve never skated with a partner, only a trainer and I’ve only actually skated with Fred for a few days. None of the others have seen me perform – I’m not really part of the family yet!”

More nervous about going out onto the ice after Michael’s injury, Zaraah is already nursing her fair share of bumps and bruises

“After what’s happened to Michael I’m a bit more worried. Fred is saying ‘don’t worry its going to be fine’ but it’s a little bit scary.”

“I’ve already got a bit of an injury. In training the other day I knocked my shin against his knee. His knee is so strong it was like hitting concrete and my shin bone is throbbing as a result.”