AFTER a 26-year hiatus, Altrincham’s favourite skater is back on the ice and on a winning streak.

Silver Blades coach Donna McCarthy is a familiar face to many, having dedicated the past two decades to coaching the next generation of skating stars.

But after some gentle prodding from her students, the 47-year-old decided to dig out the sequins and get back in front of the judges – and she is blowing them away.

In the space of five weeks, the mum-of-two has taken home five gold medals from national and international competitions.

“I love to skate, when I am on the ice I forget the world outside,” said Donna. “I could never imagine a life without skating.

“But I was so nervous about getting back on the ice as there was such an expectation being the coach – I didn’t want to let my pupils down. I couldn’t believe it when I won.”

Donna is at home on the ice, having started at the tender age of nine, and she credits Olympic champion Robin Cousins with first lighting the spark.

Her hobby turned into a glittering career, highlights of include working with Cousins and coaching celebrities, such as Jennifer Ellison and Colleen Nolan, on hit ITV show Dancing on Ice.

After taking on her students’ competition challenge, Donna entered the Adult British Ice Skating Championships in Sheffield in May.

A number of her pupils scooped awards but Donna stole the show, winning gold in the highest-level category British Ladies Singles Masters.

Donna made it a double-whammy, placing first in the British Artistic Ladies competition, impressing judges with her emotional performance to Luther Vandross’ ‘Dance with my Father Again’.

“My dad died in August last year and I had this urge to try to make him proud,” she added. “Every time I go out now I think of him. There is something driving me and it must have been him.

“My mum and dad gave up a lot – it is an expensive sport – and they went without so I could skate. I am very appreciative of that.”

Next stop for Donna was ISU Adult Figure Skating Competition 2016 in Germany in June, where she won gold for Britain in two Masters categories.

Just days later, she competed in the World Inline Figure Skating Organization in Milan, adding another gold medal to her haul.

Congratulate Donna in the comments below.