Chilling out
Despite her busy life (she yawns contentedly several times and nurses a can of Red Bull throughout our interview), Kelly still finds time to relax with her friends and family.

“My mates often come over and we just chill out,” says Kelly, who will spend New Year with some friends in sunny South Africa. “I love going out for meals or just relaxing at home with a DVD. If I have the chance I love to go and get pampered – have a sauna, a Jacuzzi or a nice facial.

Kelly Holmes is currently learning to ice skate for ITV’s Stars On Thin Ice that begins mid-January.

“It’s exactly like Strictly Come Dancing, except on skates,” says former army-girl Kelly. “I’m no good – I have been doing a lot of training so I’m getting better, but it’s really, really hard. It’s so different to athletics – the only advantage I have is that I’m used to putting my mind to something and making sure I learn it.”

“I always looked at ice-skating and thought this isn’t easy, but I never thought it would be this hard. Nothing I’ve ever done compares to it. With running, you engage different muscles. With skating you have to bend your knees all the time – using totally different muscles. You need strong leg muscles - my hamstrings were killing me after the first training session.”

Kelly Holmes has been getting to grips with a fellow former Olympian Christopher Dean as she trains for her ice-skating performance.

“I’ve got a pro-dancing partner, but Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean are doing all the coaching,” says Kelly. “I’ve really been flung around by Christopher… he’s so dynamic. I felt so ill - it’s like being on one of those roller coaster things and I can’t take that! It’s like motion sickness.

“Christopher grabbed me the other day on the ice when I was training - still trying to balance on the damn skates - and was flinging me around and saying ‘come on, leg up here’ – my legs don’t stretch that far I told him!

The main thing Kelly Holmes is dreading about competing in the show is the outfits.

“I will have to wear really fitted dresses and leotards. I have to look glam, be all elegant - which I am not - and then I have to smile AND balance on the ice! My family and friends think it’s hilarious that I’m doing this show as they can just imagine me in a little pink tutu or something, prancing around. I’ve told the show’s producers; don’t even think about putting me in a tutu, man! I will just not do the show!”

Kelly Holmes at the 2005 BAFTA Television awards. Pic courtesy BBC.

Interview by Ellie White and published courtesy of Teletext It's Your Life, ITV1 page 570, ITV Digital (Sky) and Channel 9 (Freeview).