Dancing on Ice’s Anton Ferdinand shares gutting reason brother Rio may miss final

Anton Ferdinand will be competing for the chance to be the Dancing on Ice 2025 champion, but has admitted that his famous brother Rio may not get to see him lift the trophy

Anton Ferdinand is taking to the rink for Dancing on Ice’s final on Sunday (
Image: BBC / Wonder TV / Chris Bull)

Anton Ferdinand has revealed that his father is more proud of him for reaching the Dancing on Ice final than he was when he played in the Premier League – however, his brother Rio may not get to see him lift the trophy.

The retired footballer, 40, is taking to the ice with professional Annette Dytrt later on Sunday in the hopes of winning the ITV show’s 2025 trophy.

Speaking about how his family is backing him all the way, Anton said: “The main objective was to show my kids that there are life lessons in what I’m doing and my dad knows that’s the reason.

“He actually said to me that he feels more proud about me doing this and getting to the final in terms of the message that I’m sending to my children and nieces and nephews than when I played in the Premier League.”

Anton Ferdinand with his skating partner Annette Dytrt (
Image:
ITV)

With just one more show to go, Anton can’t wait to skate one more time for his family – although he’s not sure if brother Rio can make it yet.

“I’m not sure if he’s coming as he might have to work,” he said. “He’s desperate to get there but what will be will be. He thought I was going to be absolutely terrible so he’s shocked that I’m in the final.”

Anton, who shares three kids with wife Lucy, retired from football in 2019 and admitted that Dancing on Ice helped him rediscover himself. “When I retired from football six years ago, I lost a part of myself,” he said.

“I’ve been searching for that person in those six years and I’m thankful to Dancing on Ice for giving me a sense of me again.”

He added however that his experience has been “really draining” at points. “You’re learning a new routine within four days and under pressure to get it done, I think mentally that’s been really tough,” he said. “We’ve only been skating for four months so it’s still physically very difficult for us.

“The semi final was probably the hardest week for me in terms of the toll on my body. I was being asked to do things that my body really can’t do anymore”

Dancing on Ice’s Anton Ferdinand shares gutt...

Dancing on Ice’s Anton Ferdinand shares gutting reason brother Rio may miss final

Anton Ferdinand will be competing for the chance to be the Dancing on Ice 2025 champion, but has admitted that his famous brother Rio may not get to see him lift the trophy

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