I DIDN'T fall over and that's about the best I can say for myself.

You may be one of the fans who has been to see the visual spectacular that is Disney on Ice.

Elegant gliding, impressive leaps and quirky storytelling create the Disney magic that persuades audiences to come back for more.

Having been given the chance to take a turn on the Disney rink I can safely say, I don't know how they do it.

Very kindly, ensemble skaters Sophie Harding and Ruben Barrera have offered to give me an ice skating lesson.

The show is in Glasgow until Sunday night, taking over the Hydro with its portable ice rink.

I haven't been skating for years and it's not something I enjoy.

I get nervous about falling over while walking down the street so balancing on two millimetre thin strips of metal on a slippery surface while moving at speed is not for me.

Sophie and Ruben are so full of enthusiasm, however, that I put my game face on and determine to give it my best shot.

We start off small with marching steps to get me moving forward.

Sophie looks elegant - I look like I'm trying to stomp my way through the ice.

But it's enough to get me confident that I can stand on my own two feet without Sophie and Ruben holding my hands.

Ruben began roller skating when he was seven and switched over to ice skating when he was 13.

He fell in love with the idea of skating after seeing Disney on Life so he's really living his dream.

The 32-year-old said: "I saw a Disney on Ice production and I was so impressed it became my dream to join them.

"So now this is my dream come true.

"It is like living in a movie but on the ice."

Sophie, from Huntington Beach, California, began skating at the age of eight when her aunt and grandmother gave her a Christmas gift of skates and a lesson.

She adored being on the ice and never looked back.

The 20-year-old said: "I was a pretty fearless child so I threw myself into it. I was going really fast and I absolutely loved the thrill of it.

"The more I learned, though, the more I slowed down.

"Being able to pick it up quite quickly really helped me learn to love it."

The cast has a couple of days off with each new city they arrive in as the rink and set are built in the latest venue they are using.

But on a performance day they have an ice skating class as a cast and also get personal time on the rink for their own development.

Sophie knows that one day she would like to be able to execute a perfect double or triple axle, so that is her focus.

Ruben, from Madrid, said he is always looking to improve and wants to make his technique the best it can be.

I suddenly realise I'm interviewing my two teachers while skating round the rink so it's time to try something a little harder.

It turns out I can go but I can't stop.

This becomes more and more alarming a problem the closer I get to the curtain at the end of the stage.

I don't know what's behind it but would rather not find out while plunging head first through it.

Ruben and Sophie very patiently show me a snow plough stop and a T stop.

They show me again and then again and again a few more times. I cannot master either.

I accidentally execute something approximating what Sophie tells me is a Tango stop but this is a fluke not to be repeated.

We give up and move on to a two-foot spin. I think I try it about half a dozen times but manage it once.

Both Ruben and Sophie are so elegant and sure-footed that I feel slightly ridiculous next to them.

They are both very encouraging and generous and take me on to a swizzle move then some backward skating.

One of the first things you learn, I'm told, is how to fall but luckily I manage to stay upright for the whole session.

I'm feeling pretty proud of myself and actually quite keen to carry on learning.

Sophie hosts the Fit to Dance pre-show party, which aims to show the young audience that being fit and strong is fun.

She said: "I love it. We get the audience up dancing and moving around - it really creates a great atmosphere before the show but also hopefully gets the message across that it's important to be healthy and strong.

"I always really hope people come along early enough for the pre-show party."

There are several Disney on Ice shows on tour at any one time but Sophie and Ruben are part of Worlds of Enchantment.

It features four Disney favourites: Disney/Pixar's Cars with Lightning McQueen and Mater; the Toy Story gang, featuring Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie; Frozen stars Anna and Elsa and pals Olaf and Kristoff; and the underwater world of Ariel in the Little Mermaid is recreated.

When the show opened in Glasgow on Thursday night, city celebrities were invited along to the event.

Former Evening Times columnist Michelle McManus mingled with Celtic and Rangers stars at the event.

Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan also shared images on social media of her toddler Matilda, two, attending the show dressed as Princess Jasmine of Aladdin.

Her father and Celtic player Scott Sinclair took her to the show.

The celebrities and their families were also given the chance to meet Mickey Mouse.

For Ruben and Sophie hanging out with their favourite Disney characters is an average day.

But they are far from complacement. Even though they spend up to nine months on the road without seeing their families, they claim to be doing the best job in the world.

"This is a dream come true," Ruben said. "I can't think of a better job. It is everything I dreamed of and more."

Disney on Ice Worlds of Enchantment will be in Glasgow until March 18 and also visiting Aberdeen from May 2 to 6. Tickets are available from www.disneyonice.co.uk