Dancing on Ice judge Ashley Banjo has revealed he found out about his MBE from The Queen via email.
Alex Jones and Ronan Keating presented Friday’s episode of BBC’s The One Show and the Diversity star was their star guest.
Ashley was recently included in the 2022 New Year’s Honours list, a list of people who have been recognised for their achievements and services towards their community and charities.
When asked about how he knew he was put forward for the award, Ashley admitted: “I just had an email, like a letter, and if I’m honest with you I thought it was spam. I didn’t even believe it at first.
“I got it and was like, ‘I’m just about to do a rehearsal’, I had this email and I was like, ‘Is this how you know?’
“I was very hesitant to respond but then you don’t hear anything else.”
Ronan questioned: “So you don’t get the call, it just comes in on email?”
Alex said: “Well no, you’d expect good quality paper through the post, like a scroll?”
Ashley agreed and said: “Yeah, arrive on horseback! It didn’t happen like that.”
The BGT champion has been a judge on Dancing On Ice since 2018 when the show returned after a four year hiatus.
He is joined on the panel by ice-skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, the dancing duo that won gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Looking ahead to the upcoming series, Ashley has reflected: ‘Every year the world changes. I just get more and more grateful to be doing stuff.”
Banjo has admitted that he is looking forward to judging the contestants again this year: “I genuinely think [my favourite part] is just getting to enjoy it from the best seats in the house.”
“We get to sit right on top of it every week. You can hear the skates, let alone see them.
“I just think people love the show because you are always on the edge of your seat and we are literally on the edge of our seats, watching every single skate.”
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Strictly Come Dancing champion Oti Mabuse is set to the Dancing On Ice panel this year and Ashley has shared his thoughts on the new addition: “I think that Oti’s just got so much energy and so much skill herself.”
“I’ve been around her quite a few times and she just brings this sass wherever she goes that you just love. I’m just really happy to have her sitting next to me.”
The One Show airs weekdays on BBC One at 7pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
