New Beginnings Ice Stars

In the high-speed world of an ice star...

..time never stands still.

-Up you get.

-There are routines to learn.

Rivals to beat.

Worldwide travel.

And glory.

A life on ice has its ups...

I'm the junior national champion.

I can't believe I'm British champion.

..and its downs.

-Like Bambi!

-Emotions can run high.

I feel like I'm wasting my time when I skate like this.

But to make it as an ice star...

..you have to pick yourself up and carry on.

Because one day

might just be YOUR day.

Ella performs her first solo skate to the public.

-ANNOUNCER:

-Get ready to watch and be amazed.

Josh and Chloe pull out all their tricks to get noticed by a real-life

-prince.

-I don't want to fall right in front of the prince, you know?

-Not cool.

-And...

Someone very special returning back to the ice,

I'm really excited to see her.

At the National Ice Centre in Nottingham,

life on the ice is never straightforward.

Come on.

It takes hours and hours of practice to get things right.

You've got to push.

People are getting sloppy.

And for some, it can all become too much.

For years, ice dancers Josh and Ellie, or Jellie,

were known as the centre's golden couple.

But last season news broke that sent shockwaves around the rink.

Ellie decided to stop skating completely.

Such a shame, you were so good.

Ellie was finding all the hours on the ice too much.

I just felt heavy and I couldn't do anything.

I was just so tired.

And as the season ended, Josh was left without a partner,

as Ellie began a new life away from the ice.

I'm going to miss Ellie because she was, like,

one of my really close friends.

It's been six months since then and things are looking up.

Josh's search for a new partner is in full swing.

But hang on a minute...

Someone very special is returning back to the ice,

I'm really excited to see her.

It's Ellie, she's back at the rink!

I didn't think I was going to come back at all, to be honest.

I thought that I wanted to, like, go out with my friends more,

but then I realised,

skating is my life, so...

It's really nice to have Ellie back.

We all missed her. She's just easing into it right now.

-Nice gloves, Ellie.

-Thanks!

Yeah, it's really nice to be back and seeing everyone.

We're all really happy you're back and skating again, it's so nice to see you.

I was going too slow.

I haven't spun that fast in ages.

It feels, like, really nice,

because I used to, like, just push along the floor at home.

Skating solo is a whole new experience for Ellie.

Ah! My back!

I'm a little bit stiff, but it's really fun to do it again.

I do miss skating with Josh,

but at the moment I just want to get through this next season and not to

worry about a partnership.

I've skated here most of my life, and I know everyone.

And they're like my family.

I just feel like I'm at home.

When Ellie split with Josh,

she went back to live at home, over an hour away,

which meant she didn't get to see ice friends like Ella.

Now she's back and staying closer with her gran,

the girls have got loads to catch up on.

-Hi!

-Hi, are you all right?

Yes, thanks, are you?

I'm good, thank you. What you been doing?

I have a science test.

But I'm not good at science!

I've got my GCSEs next year.

Oh, yeah. Sports science, and PE and geography.

I'm really bad at geography, I thought China was in America!

You thought China was in America?!

LAUGHTER

-Hi.

-Hello.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-What was it like not skating?

It was really weird not skating, I had nothing to do.

My day was literally, wake up, get on the bus to school, eat tea,

go on my phone, then go to bed.

How boring is that?

It was really weird, like, seeing all of you on social media, like,

all together, and I was just sat at home.

It was really weird not having you at the rink.

Last season, Ella's own partner went home to Italy.

But that's not going to hold her back this year.

I'm going to do a season of solo.

I was just ready to have a new start.

Solo is good, though,

because you can do what you want to do and not worry about what your

partner wants to do.

All the attention is on you,

and you don't have to worry about anyone else.

Ella, I really missed you because you're like my family.

-Yeah.

-And I've known you for so long.

It's so good to see these friends back together again.

-Bye!

-Bye.

-See you.

-See you.

-But, right now, the ice is calling.

Ella's new solo career is kicking off with a bang.

She's been asked to star at the opening of the pop-up rink in Sunderland,

which Jellie went to last year.

But there is one slight drawback.

It's really soon and I haven't had as long to practise a routine

and make a routine as I normally would.

We've literally got a week, so we need to get moving quite quickly with it.

I think it will be a really good opportunity for you to get out there

by yourself, so you really need to make sure that you sell it,

because all eyes are going to be on you.

Yeah, definitely.

Can you do for me, up on your toes,

do three turn and then do a run on the toes?

Back cross.

Pivot, hold position,

up and up, cross.

-I forgot my arms.

-If you forget any of these arms, it's not a problem,

just make it up on the day.

It's very different doing a solo performance to having a partner to

skate with - you haven't got that other person to rely on,

she needs to make all her moves a lot bigger.

That's it.

Maybe not do it like that!

I always go wrong on that spin, I don't know why.

In the spin, I obviously don't want that to happen in Sunderland because

it would be a bit embarrassing if I just sit there on the floor.

Our ice stars become used to performing in front of hundreds of people,

but today it is all about a very special audience of one.

Across the rink, news is breaking that Prince Harry is about to visit.

The prince is coming to meet all of the young trainee coaches.

Minutes before their training,

figure skaters Josh and Kloe have just heard the news.

Have you actually ever met a real prince before?

No. When would I meet a prince?

It's not just like an everyday thing, is it?

You know, I'm going to act really cool with him, I'm going to be like,

"Yo, Harry. Come take a selfie with me."

'We wanted to get a selfie with Prince Harry really badly,'

so we were like, "Are we going to get the selfie?"

Do you think you're looking for your Prince Charming?

No. I don't think so!

Prince Harry will be in the building in just a few hours' time.

And everyone at the rink needs to be ready,

just in case they are spotted.

So, guys, as you know, we will have a very special guest,

he will come and see what the international ice centre do, OK?

Knowing that Prince Harry was coming to the ice rink,

we obviously wanted to do, like, the best skating we can.

Push, please, I need more pressure there.

Pushing from the right to the left.

After the... Stand up.

Joshy? OK?

Down, up! But, how short and how long make your jump good and bad.

Listening now, please.

I am still not happy with your skating, still -

skating quality not good.

The pair might be used to competing at a top level,

but impressing a prince is going to be a totally new experience.

Spending so much time together

means our skaters form super-strong friendships.

No, Josh!

She may no longer be skating with Josh,

but now that Ellie's close by again,

she wants to make sure they both stay friends.

We've always been friends,

and we always will be, even if we are not skating together.

Today is Josh's 16th birthday. We always give presents to each other,

and I think Josh is going to like the presents I have chosen for him.

Me and Josh started skating together four years ago.

So, we've done eight birthdays together.

I'm feeling excited about going to see Josh today,

because I haven't seen him in a while.

I don't get to see her that often,

so it would be nice to see her again.

We're going quad biking later.

It's going to be exciting.

Jellie have wanted to go quad biking together for ages,

but when they were skating, there was never the time.

You miss her?

Yeah.

Sent me the poo emojis.

I think this was supposed to be ice cream, but...

..sent him one back.

"I'm on..." She is on her way.

I don't think we'll be talking about skating today, just have fun.

Look how muddy it is.

This is where we go on the quad bike.

I don't like getting mud in my hair.

In my fingernails or on my clothes.

I just don't like mud at all.

And you don't think you are going to get muddy?!

-Probably will.

-I think you will!

Hmm, we will have to wait and see.

Because back at the rink,

the people of Nottingham are gathering for the royal arrival.

-What we are doing?

-Making sure we get a good view.

Front row, please.

If there's one thing we get from today, it is going to be a selfie.

What time is it? Prince Harry time.

Maybe we should rehearse how we say hello.

OK, right.

-Prince...

-Do it again.

Prince Harry! Hi!

-That was quite good, I quite like that one.

-OK.

Prince Harry...

-Loved it.

-OK, I will do that.

-That was great.

-Prince Harry!

I'm waiting for you!

Oh, I see him.

I can't see anything, but it's so cool.

It's blocking my shot.

That's the best picture ever.

-I know.

-Prince Harry will be ringside any minute,

and Josh and Kloe need to get there quick

if they are going to grab his attention.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Come in.

-Joshua.

-Yo.

-Now we get to see him on the ice, but we have to rush.

-Yeah.

He's the most important person we have ever skated for,

and I think we all just wanted to skate our best and show him what we

-can do.

-I was really excited.

I was like, "I got this."

They've secured a spot on the ice - the problem is,

it's in the corner at the totally opposite end to Prince Harry.

We actually got on the ice and we realised that we were basically at

the other end of the rink to him.

We kind of were a bit like, "Oh, this is not what we had in mind."

Prince Harry's main focus was, like, cute little kids on there doing,

like, races.

Kloe was full-on bossing those spins.

I thought she was going to drill through the ice.

She was like... Shhhh...

I've never seen Josh skate so well.

You need speed for a jump, and he literally just did it.

-Pulled it out of nowhere.

-Killed it.

-With no sign yet that the prince

has even noticed the skaters at the far side of the rink,

Josh and Kloe have to take some drastic measures.

Prince Harry is, like,

"Oh, nothing's happening."

-"Harry!"

-No, can't see anything.

"It's all good. All clear on that end."

And I'm, like, "Harry!"

He was whisked away, never to be seen again.

I just seen a glimpse of those triples and then, like, boom.

I made eye contact with Prince Harry after one of my spins

and I was, like, "That's it, I got it."

Did you manage to get any good pictures?

No, I have none. I literally got a video of a cameraman running.

That's all I got.

Literally. No Prince Harry.

Prince Harry - selfie fail or selfie yay?

BOTH: Selfie fail.

150 miles away in Sunderland...

..Ella, her mum, and coach Sophie are rushing to get ready for her

first skate as a solo dancer.

With Ella due at the opening of the pop-up rink shortly...

..there's still lots to do.

Did you decide what dress you are wearing?

I think the pink one.

But you said the blue one.

I agree, I think the pink one.

It will fit best with the music.

You're right, I do like the pink one on you, to be honest.

Wonderful.

It's much shorter than it was last year.

I think you've grown since last year, that's all.

I always do my own hair because Mum pulls too hard and then I scream.

Oh, I dropped all the pins all over the floor!

It's OK, we will pick them all up, don't worry, you carry on.

I was laughing too much, so then I kind of forgot where I was

and now I have to do it again.

I'm blaming it on Mum.

Ella's only had days to make up her routine,

and the worry of getting it wrong is setting in.

Normally, it takes me about a month.

My biggest fear about learning a new routine in such short time

was forgetting it on the day.

It won't come out.

I'm not very good at thinking of something on the spot.

This is the last bit of doing my make-up.

OK, ready.

While Ella starts to mentally prepare for her big performance...

..Ellie is also a bit anxious, as she hasn't seen Josh in months.

I was really nervous.

Me and Josh still speak to each other, but it's not that often.

-Hi.

-Hi.

-Happy birthday.

-Thanks.

-What did you get?

-Just, like, vouchers.

-What for?

-My auntie got one,

got me one for Tesco.

Tesco?!

LAUGHTER

Your Tesco voucher!

Look at your socks!

-That's for you.

-Oh, thanks.

So...

-Right, let's go and have a look at the bikes.

-I think I rock this look.

I'm not going to lie.

They don't even fit me, look at that.

I think I look pretty good.

LAUGHTER

Josh hasn't grown up any more than when he did when he was ten.

He just likes joking about everything.

I think I'm going to be better at quad bikes.

-Me.

-Me. I'm going to be better.

-Why are you lying?

-What do you mean?

Why are you lying? 'And he's always annoying me.'

-Handshake.

-Pretty sure that's a headbutt.

But we make each other laugh.

Excellent.

When I did a couple of laps around,

I got faster and faster and I was catching up to Josh.

Good girl, keep going.

-Excellent. Did you enjoy that?

-Yeah. Thanks.

Absolutely good.

Ellie, it is all in your hair.

-Oh! Is it actually?

-Yeah.

-Way at the back?

-Yeah.

Quite a lot.

OK.

I have mud on my hands, my forehead, my feet, my hair.

Everywhere. It's even inside my socks, I can feel it.

It was really fun though.

I think Ellie crashed a couple of times.

I was just laughing, I thought it was quite funny.

-Here you go.

-Thanks.

Open them now.

When Ellie stopped skating, she had so much pressure on her,

I just tried to, like, take her mind off of it.

-Did you wrap these?

-Yeah.

I can't wrap...

Sellotape round the whole thing.

I know.

A good friend, to me, is being there for you when you need them.

Moustache straws.

-Thanks.

-It's all right.

Read the back.

Thank you.

OK.

'I can be myself around Josh, we make each other laugh,

'I think I annoy him as well.

'But, I'm just funny, so...'

-It's you!

-I was going to say it's you.

It was really fun. Even though we are not skating together,

our friendship's just the same.

You know it takes 19 and a half hours

to watch all of the Harry Potters.

We will always be close friends because we've, like,

known each other for, like, ages.

And we're just like brother and sister.

I think one of the main things that makes a good friend is just being

able to not only trust each other but just being there for each other

-all the time.

-The thing that makes friends good

is that they can skate and they can do flips on the trampoline.

Definitely me!

We fall out constantly, like sisters do.

But, when we need each other, we are the first people we call.

At the opening of the rink in Sunderland, the lights are on.

The ice is waiting,

and a huge crowd gathers to see Ella's first solo performance.

When we arrived,

there was already quite a few people standing around the rink.

I was very nervous.

I've never done a gala by myself before.

Unlike when Jellie were here last year, and could rely on each other,

tonight, Ella will be alone,

with the added pressure of having had just days to learn her routine.

When I was practising, I was thinking about,

if I forgot my routine, what I would do.

She's just forgotten some of her programme.

I was most nervous about going the wrong way,

because then I'd probably get stuck on the barriers.

So you need to imagine that I'm stood there.

You come out of your pivot and you do a spiral around here and then you

need to cross over to this barrier and then skate across the top.

She's getting a little bit confused about where she is on the ice.

She's then getting herself confused over her steps.

After a stressful practice,

Ella picks up a video message sent from Ellie,

who may have spent the day with Josh,

but hasn't forgotten her other friend.

Hi, Ella, I heard you're going to open the outdoor rink in Sunderland,

you will love it there.

Just remember, the rink is a lot smaller than home,

so, don't push out too much, because you will have no room.

Good luck, have a good time, bye, love you lots.

It was really nice to get a message from Ellie saying good luck

and telling me not to push as much.

And it's really nice to get a message.

We are going to launch the ice-skating on the rink right now.

We have some fabulous ice skaters.

With the gala in full swing,

it is just seconds until Ella takes centre stage.

We are going to be continuing the show with somebody that you will

have seen from the telly, so get ready to watch and be amazed,

and please, put your hands together for Ella.

CHEERING

When I got into my starting position,

it felt like ages before the music started.

All of the nerves were just rushing through me.

MUSIC PLAYS: Half The World Away by Aurora

# I would like to leave this city

# This old town don't smell too pretty and

# I can feel the warning signs

# Running around my mind

# And when I leave this planet

# You know I'd stay but I just can't stand it

# I can feel the warning signs

# Running around my mind

# So here I go... #

CHEERING

# I'm still scratching around in the same old hole

# My body feels young but my mind is very old

# So what do you say?

# You can't give me the dreams that are mine anyway

# You're half the world away

# You're half the world away

# I've been lost, I've been found

# But I don't feel down

# You're half the world away

# I've been lost I've been found

# But I don't feel down

# But I don't feel down... #

CHEERING

Ella from CBBC, wasn't she amazing?

I think it went really, really well.

I got a massive applause.

I didn't see one person that wasn't smiling.

I really enjoyed doing the solo dance.

Ella, can I get my photo taken with you, please?

Yeah.

Everybody looking at me and only me.

Going solo is the right choice for me,

and I am definitely going to carry on doing it.

HE SHRIEKS

Speed skaters Charlie and Freddie

take on a mega-competition road trip.

-Party time!

-There was traffic.

Big changes to The Icicles sync routine...

There wasn't one couple that were in sync.

..leave them battling with a new routine.

And I was so stressed out about it.

How are we going to make this work?

And a new arrival all the way from Russia has everyone talking.

I didn't even realise how young she was, as well.