Five years after retiring from professional football, Anton Ferdinand is preparing to take on a new challenge as he participates in ITV’s Dancing on Ice in 2025. While regular television appearances as a sports pundit and his work with the West Ham Academy keep him busy, the rigors of ice skating training have dominated his life lately. He is grateful for the structure the show provides amid a whirlwind of activities, which has him pulled in many directions.
Alongside his brother, former England defender Rio Ferdinand, Anton is deeply invested in supporting grassroots football and various community projects. Following the loss of their mother, Janice, who passed away in July 2017 at the age of 58, both brothers contemplated their legacy. "When my Mum passed away, me and Rio sat either side of her in the Chapel of Rest. We were talking about our Mum and our Dad. Our Dad’s still here, but we were talking about their legacy,” Anton said, reflecting on the mission to give back to the community as their parents had done.
Anton is on the board of Active Essex, an organization aimed at increasing access to physical activity, which reflects his dedication to community well-being. After spending years training in Essex, he values the opportunity to give back to West Ham, a club that played a pivotal role in his youth. "It’s also important for me to be able to give back to West Ham who gave me so much as a kid. I can help them in that I can give them little nuggets like I got from my brother," he mentioned.
The former professional footballer is also known for being embroiled in a high-profile racism case back in 2011. In that incident, former England captain John Terry was investigated after being captured on video making a racist remark towards Anton during a match between Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea. The repercussions were significant, resulting in Anton receiving a torrent of racial abuse online. This incident pivoted him towards advocacy after initially being shunned in terms of support.
In a powerful move to address the mental toll stemming from the incident, Anton created the BBC documentary Anton Ferdinand: Football, Racism and Me, which aired in November 2020. This documentary arrived soon after the Black Lives Matter movement gained traction, shedding light on racism both in sports and society at large. Reflexively, Anton stated, "This horrendous incident happened to me and affected my life for so many years." The film became a therapeutic endeavor for him, deeply revisiting the hurt and struggle he faced.
During Black History Month in October 2024, Anton took the opportunity to mentor young players at the West Ham Academy, using his experience to guide them through similar challenging circumstances. Moreover, in 2023, he made headlines when he insisted that a match be halted in North Carolina after his teammate Frank Nouble faced racial abuse.
Anton’s documentary experience gave him a platform to speak openly about his struggles and the importance of addressing racism in football. Reflecting on the pressure to remain silent, he said, "Doing the documentary gave me my voice back and enabled me to speak freely. I’d been silenced for so long." He feels there exists a significant disparity in how football authorities manage disciplinary actions regarding racism versus other offenses, expressing concern over the leniency shown toward discrimination in comparison to other violations.
As he embroils himself in skating, Anton is finding himself tackling a completely new set of challenges. He mentioned, "It’s enjoyable, but so hard. On Strictly Come Dancing, you’re on ground you’re familiar with. With skating, it’s like learning to walk again before the dancing.” The former footballer has a fond recollection of his youth when he used to skate in Streatham. Now, as he prepares for this new endeavor, he is focused on using his experience for the benefit of his children—Flynn, 11, Lilah, 7, and Farron, 3. "I wanted her to see her old man on the ice," he shared, highlighting his motivation to inspire his daughter, who enjoys acting and dance.
Despite the difficulties, Anton remains optimistic. His children, particularly his daughter, look up to him as a role model, and he offers unwavering support for whatever path they choose. He asserts, "Whatever they want to do, they’ll have the full support of me and Lucy." As he embarks on this new chapter of his life, Anton hopes to prompt discussions about racism in sports while showcasing a different side of himself beyond the football pitch.
Anton Ferdinand’s journey from the football field to the ice rink is labeled as his biggest physical challenge yet, a trajectory marked by resilience, advocacy, and a continuous commitment to uplifting his community. As the 2025 Dancing on Ice progresses, he hopes that his participation will not only widen his fanbase but also provoke conversations around issues that some still shy away from discussing.
