FORMER Olympic star Sharron Davies said she is having the time of her life dancing on ice, despite not proving popular with the public.

Sharron, 47, of Fairford has been competing in the ITV reality show Dancing On Ice for the past three weeks.

Despite gaining credit from the judges for her improved performance this week, Sharron once again found herself in the skate-off against Hollywood actor Jeremy Sheffield.

However, she was saved by all five judges and said she is still having a brilliant time doing the show.

She said: "This is the hardest thing I have done since I did Gladiators.

"I am working about four hours a day on the ice and trying to get the choreography sorted. It is very stressful but of course I am enjoying it, who wouldn’t?"

Sharron said one of the best things to come out of doing the show is the friendship she has struck up with her skating partner Pavel Aubrecht. However, she added that being the oldest lady in the competition means she takes a while to recover from injuries.

She added: "I don’t think I am the right shape or size for ice-skating. I do not have a dance or performing arts background and it is more performance-based than I realised.

"I get nervous just before the live show which is frustrating because you leave your best performance in training.

"I find that with the skate off I am more relaxed and enjoy it more than the original dance because you get used to the lights and the audience so it is a lot less intimidating.

"You feel as if you have nothing to lose."

Sharron said she is learning to take the criticism of the judges with a pinch of salt and is willing to follow their advice on how to improve.

She added: "It is strange because I do not feel competitive, even though I have my swimming background. I am more focused on being a mum these days.

"The other competitors are so brilliant and lovely, you feel genuinely upset when someone has to go."

"I am not in it to win it, I am in it to enjoy myself and learn a new skill.

"I want to learn lots of new things on the ice and hope I stay in long enough to get that opportunity."

Dancing on Ice returns on Sunday on ITV at 6.15.