Heather Mills: I'll only dance in 'vegan' ice skates

January 10, 2010

She has something of a reputation for being rather prickly - and Heather Mills

has already caused ripples on the Dancing On Ice set by demanding special

'vegan' skates.

Paul McCartney's ex-wife insisted that producers on the ITV contest, which

starts tonight, provide leather-free footwear in line with her strict beliefs.

So they were forced to order £200 skates made from a synthetic material called

Clarino.

The former model lost her left leg below the knee after a road accident in 1993,

but no modifications were needed to the skates to accommodate her prosthetic

limb.

A source said: 'Heather is adamant that she will not wear leather, which is

barely a step down from fur as far as she is concerned.

'It was part of her conditions for going on the show, which also include an

insistence that all her refreshments are vegan.

'Vegan boots are not unheard of in ice-dancing because leather needs so much

looking after, but they are not the standard by any means.'

The boots are made by American firm Riedell, which makes most of its skates from

animal leather.

Ms Mills is debuting with the other 13 celebrities on tonight's show and has a

new haircut which makes her almost unrecognisable.

Instead, the spiky crop and low-cut dresses rather make her look like feisty

EastEnder Shirley Carter, played by Linda Henry.

The 41-year-old ex-model - who won £24million in her divorce settlement from the

former Beatle - said on her website yesterday that the show was 'the best way I

have of generating charity income'.

She added: 'Training over the past few months has been so hard. I've broken

ribs, shifted my pelvis and injured my shoulder. Ice-skating is the most

difficult thing I've ever done. It is almost impossible when my ankle won't

bend.

'But I'm really determined and I don't care if I'm the worst skater there. It

isn't just my charities that benefit from my taking part. I am always looking to

inspire other amputees.'

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