CHANCES are, we'll have a north west star skating to victory on this year's hit TV show Dancing On Ice.

Bury songbird Suzanne Shaw (pictured) and Hollyoaks star Chris Fountain have both been vying for the top spot, and now former Coronation Street actress Zaraah Abrahams is shaping up to trouble the top two after stepping in for crocked GMTV presenter Michael Underwood.

Former Hear'Say singer Suzanne tells me: "I am living, breathing and sleeping Dancing On Ice at the moment."

"I can't even escape it in my sleep - I'm even dreaming about ice skating, I'm running through routines in my head even when I'm sleeping."

Suzanne says that following her nasty fall with ice partner Matt Evers, that left her with a slashed head, and the horrific broken ankle suffered by fellow contestant Michael, all the celebrities are being doubly cautious.

"It is really quite dangerous out there," Suzanne says.

Risks

"Everyone, if they weren't before, is now fully aware of the risks involved. We were all genuinely gutted for Michael - it's a terrible way to have to leave the show. We are all concentrating on doing the best we can and, to be honest, we are all so concerned about people getting off the ice unscathed that there is absolutely no bitchiness backstage at all."

Suzanne giggles when confronted with the fact that she is now one of the hot favourites to go on and win the competition.

"I think its way too early for that," she tells me. "I am loving the skating and I can't wait to get out there on the ice. I would also be lying if I said I didn't want to win - that's why we all entered in the first place. But favourite? I'm not so sure about that."

Hollyoaks heart-throb Chris is being equally as modest about his chances - despite proving himself the early front-runner on the Sunday night ITV show.

He tells me: "I've had a bit of stick for having skated before when I played ice hockey, but it's such a totally different discipline. I just hope people keep voting for me. It's not got competitive yet backstage, it's just so sad when someone gets voted off."

But Manchester-based actress Zaraah is obviously ruffling a few feathers - having breezed on to the ice for the first time last Sunday - and shot into the top five .

Dancing On Ice continues this Sunday on ITV1.