COOL customer Mark Hanretty is flying the flag for Renfrewshire once more after returning for a new series of Dancing on Ice.

The 36-year-old Erskine man performed live with his new skating partner, singer Kimberly Wyatt, for the first time on Sunday, January 16.

The duo wowed judges with their debut performance and will now go on to skate again in this Sunday’s show.

Professional skater Mark, who has represented Great Britain on the international stage, said it is a joy to be back on the show.

He told The Gazette: “This is a dream job for any professional skater and to be asked to return again for a ninth year is quite humbling.

The Gazette: Mark Hanretty and dance partner Kimberly Wyatt have already impressed the judgesMark Hanretty and dance partner Kimberly Wyatt have already impressed the judges

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to be able to do what I love, with the production staff and the other professional skaters almost like family now.

“Kimberly is amazing and she just brings such amazing potential to the ice.

“It’s been a joy to get to work with someone who is such a master of their own craft.”

Kimberly, who is best known as a member of pop group The Pussycat Dolls, has also been full of praise for Mark.

After completing her debut performance on the ITV show, she told host Phillip Schofield: “It’s just been the most amazing experience, it’s so incredible having such an amazing teacher.”

The Gazette: This is Mark’s ninth year on the hit showThis is Mark’s ninth year on the hit show

The couple were given the second highest score of the first show for their routine set to the song What About Us, by Pink, with celebrity judge Oti Mabuse describing the performance as “absolutely stunning.”

Mark, who now lives in Nottingham with his wife and two children, hopes to avoid the dreaded skate-off on Sunday.

“We’ll be skating to The Greatest Show, from the musical film The Greatest Showman, which is an epic track,” said Mark, who was a pupil at Trinity High, in Renfrew.

“My gran Margaret still lives in Erskine and, just before the training started, I went to see her and it was great to visit the places where I grew up.

“I know that, in the past, my gran has definitely enjoyed talking about her grandson’s pursuits at her bridge club.”

You can see Mark and Kimberly in action on ITV at 6pm on Sunday.