DANCING On Ice’s Vanessa Bauer has revealed the heartbreaking reason why she’ll fight to win 2022 series with Brendan Cole.
The professional skater, 25, is due to perform in the final later tonight alongside the former Strictly star.
Since joining the ITV show in 2018, Vanessa has had a pretty successful run – she won her first series with X Factor favourite Jake Quickenden.
She then placed second with Love Island’s Wes Nelson in 2019, and Diversity’s Perri Kiely the following year.
This year she’s aiming for gold again after sadly losing her dad Marco to cancer in September last year.
Vanessa recently told The Celeb Report in an exclusive interview: “My dad died just before I started training for this series, so it was hard to focus on my job — but it shows how dedicated I am to the show.
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“When I came to England I wanted to park it and get on with my job, but death doesn’t work like that. I have realised that I need to talk to people.
“My dad used to come to watch me in the final and was my biggest fan. He loved to see me perform.
“He was suffering with cancer the whole time I was on the show and that was always my motivation — to be the best I could so he’d be proud of me.
“I want to keep that mindset and hope he is still watching.
“I’ve had good support from Brendan and have realised I need to talk about it now to get over it.”
Vanessa paid tribute to her dad on Instagram in October last year.
The skating pro revealed she is “hurting so much” and vowed to “dream bigger, work harder and find happiness” as he always wanted her to.
Vanessa said: “Last week I lost my dad. It hurts so much but dad always wanted us to chase our dreams and goals and never get distracted from how difficult things were at home – for the past six years…
“I didn’t speak about what we were going through since seeing us fulfil our dreams gave my dad strength while battling one therapy after another..
“He was in pain but he was ready to fight, he certainly wasn’t ready to leave, at all.”
The devastated star, who is from Germany, continued: “My dad wanted to meet the man that I marry; he wanted to be a grandpa, explore the world in a campervan, see my brother graduate from uni and get old with my mom.
“No one loved filming my rollerskating videos as much as my dad did… I wanted you longer in my life but don’t worry dad, I’ll stop crying and continue to dream bigger, work harder and find happiness like you always wanted us to.”
The star went on thank “scientists, doctors and supporters” for working hard to find a treatment for cancer.
Vanessa admitted she will “always think” about her father, and has encouraged others to “enjoy” their lives.
She added: “I’ll always think of you, dad, and I know you’re watching while I continue to do my thing so you can be happy for us. Dennis and I will take care of mum. Life’s so precious guys. Enjoy every bit of the ride.”
Vanessa and Brendan will be skating on the rink for the last time tonight.
They are up against Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and Mark Hanretty and Paul Gascoigne’s son Regan and Karina Manta.
- The Dancing On Ice live final is on ITV tonight at 7pm.
