OLYMPIC hero Beth Tweddle will be putting her strength and flexibility to the test as she prepares to power her way around the rink in TV’s Dancing on Ice.

The Chronicle reported last month how Bunbury gymnast Beth – who claimed bronze at the Games 2012 – had been rumoured to be appearing on the show since she was spotted in training at Deeside Leisure Centre in November.

This week ITV officially confirmed she will feature in the line-up – which also includes rugby legend Gareth Thomas, who is currently appearing in panto in Wrexham.

The 27-year-old, who will be partnered with professional dancer Dan Whiston, may be graceful on the asymmetric bars, but says she isn’t much of a dancer.

“I am rubbish at dancing. There is dancing within gymnastics, but that’s not natural dance to me, it’s literally been instructed to me as steps I’ve followed. I really am not a natural dancer.”

She added: “I’ve never had the time to do something like this before because I’ve spent so much of my life in training.

“My first biggest task is breaking away from my natural stance in gymnastics, I was told I needed to change my positioning as it’s totally opposite to what I’ve trained in.”

Last month the Chronicle revealed that South African-born Beth spent ‘three or four weeks’ working on her skating skills with Deeside Leisure Centre’s resident coach Penny Hebden-Jacks before heading to Altrincham to work with her professional partner Dan Whiston.

Dan has been crowned Dancing on Ice champion twice and has previously been paired with Roxanne Pallett, Hayley Tamaddon and Kerry Katona.

Other celebrities appearing in this year’s show, which begins on January 6, include Coronation Street star Samia Ghadie, X Factor winner Shayne Ward and former Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson.

Beth is Britain’s most successful gymnast and has won three world, six European, one Commonwealth and seven British titles as well as her Olympic bronze medal.