Rufus Hound: I quit drinking and vaping and am now a vegan to prepare for Dancing on Ice

Dancing On Ice 2021
Rufus Hound, who is taking part in Dancing on Ice
PA

Comedian Rufus Hound has said he has quit drinking, vaping and taken up veganism to prepare for Dancing on Ice.

The 41-year-old star admitted he has totally changed his lifestyle in order to prepare for the show - adding his mental health is “much sunnier” for it.

The comedian is one of 12 stars taking to the rink on Sunday night for the return of the ITV skating competition. 

Denise Van Outen, Myleene Klass, Jason Donovan and Colin Jackson are among the all-star line up.

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are among the judges. Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield will host.

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Hound, who has previously joked he only took part in the competition as he had been out of work due to the pandemic, said: “I pretty much shat myself at the beginning of all this. So, I quit vaping, quit drinking, became a vegan and do two hours of ice-skating every day.”

The star of Trollied and Hounded continued: “I am told that I am different [fitter], but the change with me has been so gradual I don’t notice it. I couldn’t tell you how much weight I have lost, but mentally I am much sunnier now that I was at the start of this process.”

Hound added: “Even though ice skating has never been at the top of my to-do list, I count my blessings that I am fortunate to have a job that allows me to get up and [...] actually earn a living.”

Despite on the whole feeling better mentally, Hound admitted he had been battling anxiety dreams ahead of the competition.

Hound, a regular on Celebrity Juice, will skate this weekend after a “freak accident” meant a fellow competitor had to postpone their performance.

Dancing On Ice 2021
Hound has had anxiety dreams in the run up to the competition
PA

Olympian Graham Bell had to delay his start in the competition after his partner Yebin Mok suffered a stab wound from an ice skate blade - meaning Hound is skating a week earlier.

On dealing with his nerves, Hound said: “I have had a series of bizarre anxiety dreams. I have got about two hours sleep in any one chunk.”

Speaking about his relationship with other competitors, Hound said he and singer and presenter Sonny Jay had been messaging about: “How ridiculous this is to be doing, but also how involved we are in it. The more you invest in something [...] you can’t be in it and trying and at the same time not caring.”

Dancing On Ice 2021 begins on Sunday at 6pm on ITV 

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