Is Dancing On Ice finalist Libby Clegg blind and what eye condition does she have?

8 March 2020, 18:37 | Updated: 8 March 2020, 18:41

Libby Clegg has made it into the Dancing On Ice 2020 finals. Picture: PA/Instagram

Libby Clegg, 29, has made it to the final of Dancing On Ice despite being registered as blind, but what condition does the Paralympian have?

Libby Clegg has wowed Dancing On Ice viewers and judges with her talent, despite being the first registered blind contestant to ever appear on the ITV skating show.

The Paralympian has now made it to the finals, where she will compete against Joe and Perri for the winning glory.

But what do we know about Libby's eye condition and is she blind? Everything you need to know:

Libby Clegg, 29, has an eye condition called Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy. Picture: Instagram/Libby Clegg

Is Libby Clegg blind and what eye condition does she have?

Libby is registered blind, and suffers from a deteriorating eye condition called Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy.

The condition severely reduces her peripheral vision in her left eye, and makes her legally blind.

The star is usually accompanied by her black Labrador guide dog, Hatti.

Libby Clegg hasn't let her eye condition stop her from shining during the competition. Picture: Instagram/Libby Clegg

Who is Libby Clegg?

Libby Clegg MBE is a 29-year-old Scottish-born sprinter and MBE holder.

The althlete, who is engaged to Dan Powell, represented Great Britain in the 2008 Summer Paralympics, and won a silver medal in the T12 100m race.

In 2016, she won gold in the Rio Paralympic Games, broke the world record in the 100m T11, and won the T11 200m.

Months later, she received an MBE for her contributions to athletics and charity.

Libby Clegg MBE is the first blind contestant to ever compete on Dancing On Ice. Picture: Getty

What is Libby Clegg doing outside of Dancing On Ice?

After taking a break from athletics to look after her health and give birth to her first son – Edward – in April 2019, Libby is now back in training and hoping to compete at next summer’s Paralympics in Tokyo.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Libby spoke honestly about how British Athletics coach Paula Dunn responded to the news about her joining Dancing On Ice 2020.

She said: “Paula expressed it’s really not the best year to do it and I completely agree with her, but these opportunities don’t come around very often. I felt like if I didn’t take it I’d regret not doing it.

“I weighed up the options and it gives me an opportunity to get myself in front of a different audience and open other doors for me. I’ve got a son now so I need to think about financially making the most of situations.”

Libby went on to explain that her eye condition actually makes the twists, turns and spins easier for her than for some of the fully-sighted contestants, as she doesn’t get dizzy.

She added: “I’m not going to be as bad as you think. I won’t be the first person out.”