Dancing On Ice’s blind Paralympian Libby Clegg has ‘balls of steel’ as she prepares for solo skate in the semi final

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DANCING On Ice’s blind Paralympian Libby Clegg has shown “balls of steel” ahead of tonight’s semi-final.

The 29-year-old will perform a solo routine as she looks to do enough to make it to next week’s series finale.

Dancing On Ice’s blind Paralympian Libby Clegg has shown ‘balls of steel’ ahead of tonight’s semi-final

And her bravery has wowed Dan Whiston, the show’s Associate Creative Director, who is convinced she’ll pull off an amazing skate.

He told The Sun Online: “I think Libby is completely inspirational. She’s amazing.

“She has been in the skate off the last two weeks running which is hard. Libby is an athlete, she’s got an athlete’s mentality. She’s focused on the job and wants to give it her all.

“This week the required element for each contestant is a solo routine. I would say it’s an extra hard challenge for Libby because she’s so used to having Mark next to her speaking to her and guiding her around the ice.

The 29-year-old will perform a solo routine tonight

Libby’s bravery has wowed Dan Whiston, the show’s Associate Creative Director

“Suddenly, she’s out there alone. It takes absolute balls of steel to do what Libby’s doing. To be blind and be out there alone. She has balls of steel, and I have no doubt she’ll pull it off. She could be in that final yet.”

Libby’s pro dance partner Mark Hanretty previously admitted that he “forgets” she is blind – and has left her stranded on the rink.

The pair appeared on Lorraine last month to discuss their time on the ITV skating show.

Libby Clegg and Mark Hanretty appeared on Lorraine

Mark explained: “I’ve forgotten at inopportune times where I have left Libby and realised she is in the middle of the ice rink and left her stranded, so that’s not the best.”

Taking the blunder in good jest, Libby laughed as Mark continued: “I do forget because she has so many coping mechanisms.”

Detailing how she battles her disability on the ice, Libby explained: “I create a map in my head of where boundaries and certain obstacles are, so I just try and memorise all those really small details.

Mark admitted that he forgets about Libby’s disability
He revealed that he has left Libby stranded on the ice in the past

“I recognise and observe things you wouldn’t really notice on a daily basis in my normal life, so I try to do that on the ice rink as well.”

Libby, who has no central vision or depth perception due to deteriorating eye condition Stargardt’s Muscular Dystrophy, is the first blind person to compete on Dancing On Ice after becoming a double Paralympic champion at the 2016 Paralympic Games in the 100m and 200m races.