Laura Hamilton has wowed us all in recent weeks with her exploits on Dancing On Ice, where she finsished second.
I caught up with her to talk about her experience on the show as well as the new campaign she has with Robinsons
- You are with Robinsons on the Squash Monster campaign so can you tell me a little bit about it?
It’s all about encouraging kids to get creative and learn how to get ‘a lot from a drop’ by making something at home from an empty Robinsons Double Concentrate.
Robinsons Double Concentrate revealed that 78% of parents are worried that the tradition of arts and crafts is disappearing for their children so Robinsons Double Concentrate has created a national competition called Squash Monsters which encourages children to get creative at home by making their very own Squash Monster from a Robinsons Double Concentrate bottle.
Each week, Robinsons will be picking a winner to receive a creative art pack and at the end of the competition, ex-Art Attack legend Neil Buchanan and I will be picking two of our favourites from the whole campaign who will win a family trip to Florida.
All they have to do is visit www.robinsonsfun.co.uk to upload their entries and see videos of me making some Squash Monster examples and loads of hints and tips from Neil.
- How and why did you get involved?
I think it’s really important for kids to be creative and I remember doing loads of creative things as a kid with my family - my grandma in particular. I think it’s key to kids’ imaginations to be creative and Robinsons is a fantastic family brand so I’m honoured to be asked to take part.
- In recent weeks we have seen you on Dancing on Ice so - now that it's all over - how was the whole experience?
Absolutely amazing, I loved every second of it. It was brilliant to be involved and I’ve learnt so much and met some fantastic people.
- You came second in the competition so how did it feel to be just pipped at the post? And how proud are you of what you have achieved?
It was amazing to be in the final full-stop - I was a runner up and that to me is amazing. I got to dance the Bolero with Colin so you can’t really ask for much more than that and I’m enormously proud of what I have achieved.
- You scored consistently well throughout the series as well as notching up a perfect 30 out of 30 in the final so how confident were you going into the final?
I know! How amazing is it to get a score like that?! I couldn’t believe it. You can never be over confident, I heard that we were getting lots of votes and I had some amazing feedback online - on Twitter so was trying to keep in touch with as many fans as possible.
When I started, I never dreamed I’d be in the final - I tried as hard as I could and I’m a determined person so I think my hard work paid off!
- How tough have you found the training? And what are you going to miss the most?
So tough! I was covered in bruises and I got a few injuries throughout the competition, which I purposefully didn’t mention as I wanted to concentrate entirely on the routines and how the shows went.
In terms of missing the skating, we’re on tour now so I get to keep on doing that for a while yet.
- The show teamed you up with Colin Ratushniak so how would you describe your relationship with him and how much are you going to miss working with him on a daily basis?
Yeah, definitely. We got on really well and Colin is great fun to work with, he’s an amazing skater and it was a privilege to work with him.
We’re actually planning on going on holiday together after the tour, so I’ll still lots of him when Dancing on Ice ends.
- You are going to be doing the Dancing On Ice tour later this year so how excited and nervous are you about taking this show on the road?
Well the tours already started so I’m well underway with that. It makes a real difference performing the routines to a live tour audience each night - 10,000 in a crowd is scary compared to a studio audience, even if the show pulls in millions of viewers - it’s very exciting and very different.
- You have been tipped to possibly replace Konnie Huq on the Xtra Factor - is this true?
I’m afraid I can’t confirm or deny anything, I’d love the job though so that’s all I can say about that!
- Finally what's next for you?
The tour and meetings about new projects - it’s an exciting time, so watch this space!
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Dancing on Ice Laura Hamilton