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The Happy Mondays’ famed percussionist and ‘freaky dancer’ Bez, AKA Mark Berry, has debuted on the ITV show ‘Dancing On Ice’, partnering with professional skater Angela Egan. 

The Manchester music icon appeared wearing a melon-patterned helmet — the first contestant to wear protective head gear — and was lowered to the rink on a giant pair of maracas, respectively nodding to the track ‘Step on’, which features the immortal line “you’re twisting my melon, man”, and the instrument he is best known for playing. 

Bandmate Shaun Ryder was shown watching in the audience, cheering his long-time friend from the stalls. Responses on Twitter were overwhelmingly positive, with some suggesting that Blue Monday — the most depressing day of the year, which in 2022 falls today, 17th January — had been cancelled because the scenes were so entertaining.

Nevertheless, Bez and Egan only managed to score a lowly 12.5 from a possible 40 points from the programme’s judges. “It’s more than I thought I was getting,” Bez, who apparently also suffered a fall in rehearsals, quipped after the results of the first episode of the 14th series of ‘Dancing On Ice’. 

Happy Mondays rose to prominence during the so-called Madchester era of the late-1980s and 90s, signing to seminal label Factory Records, which also ran landmark nightclub The Haçienda. 

 

Tomorrow’s Blue Monday has been cancelled as folks are full of joy after seeing Bez perform on Dancing On Ice #DancingOnIce #HappyMondays #Bez

— Catherine Kelliher (@kitty_kelliher) January 16, 2022

Bez performs on Dancing On Ice – my life is now complete

— Belfast Underground Records (@BelfastUnderRec) January 16, 2022

I never watch Dancing On Ice. But I have tuned in tonight because national treasure Bez is competing. He entertained with his first dance and managed to stay upright. He is a top bloke. Props to him! #Bez #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/DKRpc4T6xu

— Jooberloober (@Jooberloober) January 16, 2022

Bez twisting his melon man on dancing on ice has just made my weekend #dancingonice pic.twitter.com/77r7bXVDyY

— Baggiesdel (@westwood_adele) January 16, 2022