IT’S yet another string to the bow of a master of reinvention.

Best known for hosting Swap Shop and Cheggers Plays Pop, Keith Chegwin has also fronted his own quiz show and starred in Roman Polanski’s film version of Macbeth and Ronnie Barker’s comedy Open All Hours among a wide-ranging career, which got under way at the age of ten with a TV talent contest followed by a slot dancing alongside Ginger Rogers.

Now he’s dancing to a different tune – Tchaikovsky.

Cheggers, as he is affectionately known, is re-joining his Dancing on Ice partner Olga Sharutenko to take to the stage with the Imperial Ice Stars in The Nutcracker on Ice.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am. I couldn’t believe it when Tony (Mercer, the show’s artistic director) asked me to play the part. I said are you sure about this?! But he said he liked my skating technique and I had good footwork.

“I’ve always wanted to do something like this, but I never thought I’d have the energy, but I’ve never been so dedicated to something in my life. I’m on the ice every day!”

Cheggers has “worked his socks off”, he says, even overcoming a broken ankle and signing up his wife, children and extended family to join him on the ice.

“There is an element of risking life and limb,” he laughs infectiously. “But I love it.

“We’re all at it. My mother in law has even taking up skating, the whole family are doing it.”

Keith, as the Toymaker, and Olga, who as usual performs the lead role are joined by a 26-strong cast of Olympic, World, European and National Championship skaters in the classic Russian tale of Maria, the little girl whose love brings to life her cherished Nutcracker doll – a magical Christmas gift from her mysterious godfather – leading to adventures with the Mouse King, the enchanted Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy.