Professional skater and Dancing on Ice favourite Vanessa Bauer has started 2026 with a dazzling new piece of jewellery, after her footballer boyfriend James Rowe popped the question during a breathtaking winter getaway.
A Picture-Perfect Proposal on Ice
The 29-year-old performer shared the joyful news on Instagram, posting photos of the magical moment 34-year-old former Reading FC player James Rowe proposed on a frozen lake in the Canadian Rockies. In a fitting tribute to Vanessa's career, James got down on one knee while both were wearing ice skates on the icy surface of Banff's Vermilion Lakes, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and trees.
Vanessa captioned the images sweetly: ‘the love of my life. we’re getting married ?’ The post prompted a flood of congratulations from fans and fellow celebrities, including Dame Sarah Storey and Strictly Come Dancing's Karen Hauer.
The Dream Details Behind the Engagement
Speaking to OK! Magazine, Vanessa revealed the proposal was ‘such a dream’ and the fulfilment of a lifelong wish. ‘I’ve wanted to skate on the frozen lakes my whole life, so it was just the perfect place to get engaged,’ she said.
The moment was made even more special by a stunning, unexpected sunset that broke through after a snowstorm. ‘There was no hint it would be a nice evening, but the skies just opened up to give us the only sunset of the entire six-week trip,’ she added.
Vanessa said she accepted immediately, joking that she wanted to hug her new fiancé: ‘I felt he was so far away when he was on his knees. I just wanted to hug him, so I was like, “Yes, of course I’m going to marry you. Now come up here and give me a hug!”’
She also felt the poignant presence of her late father, who died in 2021, describing it as ‘a blessing from nature’ that made the milestone ‘even more precious’.
Wedding Plans and a Dancing on Ice Legacy
The couple, who went public with their romance in December 2024 after James slid into her DMs, are not planning a long engagement. Despite the icy proposal, Vanessa is eyeing a more tropical location like Bali for the wedding, though logistics for guests are still being considered.
James, who learned to skate in secret to prepare for the proposal, admitted he was ‘extremely nervous’ beforehand and had tears in his eyes during the moment. He had been planning the engagement since their first holiday together in December 2024, even having to delete clues from his phone to keep it a surprise.
Vanessa remains a beloved figure from ITV's Dancing on Ice, where she was a professional skater from series 10, partnering with stars like Jake Quickenden, Wes Nelson, and Joey Essex. The show itself will not return in 2026, having been ‘rested’ by ITV as confirmed in March 2025.
