The Bangor-born former Blue Peter presenter will be stepping out as a celebrity contestant alongside professional partner Matt Evers on this Sunday's edition of the top-rated show.

In Belfast for a last-minute training session at the Odyssey Arena, Zoe said ice dancing was something she had always wanted to do.

"I jumped at the chance," she said. "When I was growing up I loved watching the figure skating on the Olympics.

"It looked so beautiful and elegant – like ballet on ice.

"Now all these years later I'm paired up with Matt, and being tutored by Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

"It's a dream come true."

For someone who has walked on fire, jumped out of a plane and trekked to the top of the UK's highest peaks, dancing on ice might seem like a relatively restrained pursuit.

However, the daredevil presenter believes it's more dangerous than people realise.

"It gets quite hairy," said Zoe. "But I quite like being thrown about and swung about, which is weird because all my friends think I'm mad."

Dancing on Ice is just the latest television enterprise for the bubbly 29-year-old. Since leaving Blue Peter last June, Zoe has hosted her own CBBC sitcom, appeared on game shows and guested on Noel's Christmas Presents.

She has also opened Belfast Zoo's new rainforest enclosure, and is featured on the zoo's website as the voice of Jasmine, the two-toed sloth.

Away from media work, Zoe has a law degree from Queen's University, and was crowned Miss Northern Ireland in 1999.

But it hasn't all been plain sailing.

Zoe has had several well publicised controversies, and yesterday the British Dental Health Foundation blasted her recent remark that she had "naturally white teeth" and hadn't been to the dentist for 10 years.

Concerned that the children's TV star should be "setting an example", the foundation's chief executive Dr Nigel Carter said: "Our three key messages are to brush teeth twice a day, visit the dentist regularly and cut down on sugary snacks and drinks."

But, Zoe said, it was a 2006 article in a national newspaper accusing her of "presenting herself as a sexual bimbo" that upset her the most: "It was really hurtful.

"It made me want to never leave the house again.

"You wonder how these people can write this when they don't even know you.

"But it's part of the industry and I'm used to it now."

Hosted by Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, Dancing on Ice has been a ratings-winner for ITV.

The first episode of the new series, which was shown last Sunday, pulled in a peak of nine million viewers.

Zoe is 14/1 to win this year, behind pop singer Jessica Taylor, who is tipped to take the top female spot, and West End star Ray Quinn, favourite to win the competition.

The Bangor beauty is up against it, but her 'go for it' attitude might just give her the edge.

Dancing on Ice featuring Zoe Salmon airs this Sunday, at 7.10pm on ITV1.