Danny Young: ‘I’ve been sent a DVD of the parade and it looks great’

FORMER Coronation Street and Dancing on Ice star Danny Young is this year’s celebrity Mr Battle.
The 23-year-old finished fifth in the recent series of the TV skating show and is best known for playing the role of Warren Baldwin in the ITV soap.

Mr Young said: ‘I am delighted to be taking on the role of Mr Battle. I have been sent a DVD of the parade and it looks great.

‘I have been to Jersey a couple of times, as I’ve played a few charity football matches in the Island. And I am friends with Kyran Bracken, who is from the Island. He told me that he’s done the Mr Battle role and that I will really enjoy it.’

Originally from Essex, Mr Young almost became a professional footballer, having been signed by Charlton Athletic at the age of ten. However, by the time he had reached the age of 1 he had opted for a career in acting, with his first job being on a Woolworths television commercial.

He went on to win a Best Young Actor award for his role in the 2002 TV drama Out of Control, in which he played a young man who committed suicide after having been bullied in prison. He also starred in the drama The Vice and the popular children’s show Kerching as well as a number of films, including the award-winning Gone.

He joined Coronation Street at the age of 17 and played the role for 18 months. In 2009 he co-produced the horror movie Expose, Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp’s directorial debut.
Commenting on his return to the Island this summer, he said: ‘I love Jersey. Everyone is really friendly and has time for you. Sometimes in London everyone can be busy doing their own thing, but in Jersey things seem a lot more sociable and everyone is a lot more chilled.

‘I’m really looking forward to coming over and having some fun at the Battle of Flowers. I’m going to be over there getting involved with the Battle for three days and then I’m staying on to play in a charity football match.’

Mr Young, who is currently based in Manchester, had been tipped to win this year’s series of Dancing on Ice but finished fifth after dropping his hat during the week in which the contestants had to perform with a prop.

Since finishing the show, he has secured a theatre group tour and has also signed up to take part in Kyran Bracken’s Ice Party – a show which was premièred in Jersey two years ago – in October.