Category Entertainment News

Holly Willoughby admitted that she was feeling emotional just minutes into Dancing On Ice’s latest final amid speculation over the long-running show’s future.

The current series of ITV show concludes tonight after having launched back in January. Holly, 44, and Stephen Mulhern, 47, are hosting the final, in which one contestant and their skating partner will be crowned the new winners.

The episode opened with the cast reflecting on the latest series before finalists Anton Ferdinand, Michaela Strachan and Sam Aston took to the ice for a group performance to Sigma and Morgan’s song Adrenaline Rush. Some of the show’s professional skaters were also involved in the routine.

Following the performance, co-hosts Holly and Stephen teased what to expect from the rest of the episode. Holly told viewers: “It’s so exciting in here, I can’t tell you”. After showing off the trophy, Stephen teased: “It’s gonna be an emotional night”.

Holly added in their opening scene: “I know… don’t”! Stephen responded: “You’re getting emotional already”. Seemingly referencing the opening scenes of the final, Holly told her colleague: “That set me off just now”.

Holly was met with compliments earlier in the evening after showcasing her finale outfit on Instagram. She shared a photo of herself modelling her shimmering gown shortly before the live episode launched. The layered dress features silver sparkles on its bodice that disappear further down to unveil the white gown underneath the glitter.

One person commented on the look: “Gorgeous dress Holly”. Someone else wrote: “You look STUNNING in that dress”. Whilst a third follower on the platform said: “So pretty”. Another person told Holly: “Wow, stunning dress”.

It comes amid speculation that the episode could be its last. As previously reported, over the past two years DOI has lost more than one million viewers, with the 2023 launch episode being watched by 4.1 million people. However, this series has not made it over 3 million, according to official overnight ratings from BARB. It’s suggested that channel chiefs believe the only way to justify the huge costs involved in making Dancing on Ice going forward is by attracting a blockbuster audience, which isn’t happening.

One source said: “There are very real fears this is the end of the road for Dancing on Ice. It’s had a good run for nearly 20 years and has a very loyal set of viewers who really love it but the sad truth is there’s just not enough of them. We need bums on seats but the ratings have dropped to a point where it’s difficult to justify the cost”.

The latest series has featured contestants including EastEnders star Charlie Brooks, the Traitors finalist Mollie Pearce and Love Island’s Chris Taylor – who were all voted off in the weeks prior to the final. Whilst last weekend’s semi-final saw the Only Way Is Essex star Dan Edgar voted out of the competition. The final is set to conclude with either Anton, Michaela or Sam being named this year’s winner.

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Jocelyn Wildenstein left her partner a huge fortune after her death – despite declaring herself bankrupt.

The Swiss-born socialite known as Catwoman died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 84. Just days after her death, her partner Lloyd Klein revealed that Jocelyn had been suffering from phlebitis and died peacefully in her sleep. Phlebitis is an inflammation which causes a blood clot to form in a vein, often in a persons leg.

Jocelyn, who was known for her love of cosmetic surgery had declared herself bankrupt in 2018, claiming she had no money in her accounts. Three years later, the three apartments she owned in Trump Tower were repossessed. In 2023, she revealed that she was still struggling financially.

But now, her partner Lloyd has revealed that following her death, Jocelyn actually left him a staggering $100million in her will. Lloyd shared how he received a phone call on the day of Jocelyn’s funeral informing him that he was the beneficiary of a life policy that she had taken out.

He said: “It’s over $100million dollars, my heart was beating. I was like, I’m not surprised, I sent her]Jocelyne] a big blessing”. He went on to tell The Sun: “She did it right, she’s a lady. Jocelyne was secretive, she was mysterious”. But Lloyd’s lawyers informed him that he would need to make a major change to his life due to his new fortune.

“My life has changed. I have one or two people walking behind me now”, he added. But he claims that Jocelyn didn’t leave a penny to her two children, Alec Jr and Diane, who she shares with her former husband, Alec Wildenstein. It was reported that after their divorce in 1999, she received a pay out around $2.5 billion and an additional $100million every year.

Speaking shortly after Jocelyn’s death, Lloyd said: “We had a nice happy hour the same night and we were getting ready for the new year, and we took a little nap just to look good before getting dressed. Because of her phlebitis, the legs were very, very swollen, and the blood was blocked, and there was no oxygen in the brain”.

He added, recounting the devastating discovery: “And we were having a nap and when I wake up, I said, ‘ Jocelyn, we have to wake up, we have to get dressed, ‘ and she was cold and she was dead. It’s very sad. It’s extremely sad. It’s extremely sad to lay down with your other half that I know for 21 years and waiting to celebrate New Year’s Eve and to find her cold”.

Jocelyn and her grandmother both battled with phlebitis, yet Lloyd insisted she was in “perfect” health just days before her passing. The couple were savouring a romantic escape to Paris when tragedy struck. Lloyd admitted he was blindsided by her sudden death, as she appeared “at the top of her game” during their time together, adding they were “very happy”. Jocelyn had been on television recently, where Lloyd fondly noted she looked “extremely beautiful”. Her death was reported by Paris Match who claimed she was in a Parisian palace at the time of her passing.

A statement announcing her death read: “Her partner Lloyd Klein is saddened to announce the death of Jocelyn Wildensetein in Paris”. Final photos of her showed the star and her fiancé stepping out of The Ritz in the French capital city a mere two weeks ago. Jocelyn wrapped up warm in a black zip-up turtleneck and chic brown fur coat. Jocelyn was believed to have have spent millions on facelifts that gave her high cheek bones and ‘ cat-eyes ‘ that give her a feline resemblance. However, she often rejected the claims.

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Gladys Knight has been forced to cancel a show at the last minute after receiving medical treatment.

The 80-year-old Grammy winner was due to perform at the Florida Theatre in Florida on Saturday night, but just moments before she was due to take to the stage, she was taken to hospital. According to a statement from the Florida Theatre president Numa Saisselin, the Midnight Train to Georgia hitmaker fell ill “very suddenly” backstage and was treated by medical staff before being taken for further treatment.

She was released overnight, according to TMZ, and is resting at her home in North Carolina. “Tonight’s performance by Gladys Knight was canceled due to illness. Ms. Knight and another member of her staff were taken ill backstage, very suddenly and at the last minute, which necessitated the sudden cancellation of the show”, the statement read.

“Ms. Knight was attended to by Jacksonville Fire Rescue, and she was smiling and in good spirits when they left the building. We hope to reschedule the show, but it’s too early to know about that… we should know more early next week”, the statement continued. Gladys is due to perform on Tuesday in Orlando, but no further details have been given about any more cancelled gigs.

The singer updated worried fans on Instagram, and revealed that she would be resting at home after contracting the flu. “Hi my loves! I have that flu that is going around and am already feeling better. I’ll see everyone real soon and appreciate the good wishes”, she wrote. Her fans rushed to the comments to send their love and well wishes to the iconic singer, with many worried that the post was announcing her death.

“God bless you Miss. Gladys! Take care of yourself”, one fan penned, while her famous friends including Jermaine Dupri and Sheila E also sent their love to the singer. “Get well soon Auntie”, the singer and drummer commented.

Gladys began her career in the late 1950s, and shot to fame with her family group Gladys Knight and the Pips. She pursued a solo career in the 1980s, and has written more than 40 albums, with her Motown hit Midnight Train to Georgia voted one of the greatest songs of all time by Rolling Stone. She has been honoured with 10 Grammy Awards, and released her last album, Where My Heart Belongs, in 2014.

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Fans have complimented host Holly Willoughby over her outfit for this weekend’s Dancing On Ice final.

The latest series of the ITV show, which launched back in January, concludes tonight and could be the last show, ever. One celebrity and their ice skating partner will be crowned this year’s winners in the episode, which will be fronted once again by long-running host Holly, 44, and her colleague Stephen Mulhern, 47.

The episode will see football pundit Anton Ferdinand, TV presenter Michaela Strachan and Coronation Street actor Sam Aston – who are the three finalists – compete to be named the winner of DOI. The trio are set to take to the ice for the final performances alongside their respective skating partners Annette Dytrt, Mark Hanretty and Molly Lanaghan.

Ahead of the final, Holly has showcased her outfit for the special occasion in a post on Instagram this evening. She is known for unveiling her chosen looks on the platform, with her regularly sharing her DOI dresses on there first. Previous weeks have seen the former This Morning presenter model a sparkling golden dress, for example, whilst on another occasion she dressed as Glinda from Wicked in a pink gown.

Holly’s opted for a glittering gown for her finale look this year. She shared a photo with her followers an hour ahead of the episode. It shows her posing in the layered dress, which features silver sparkles on its bodice that disappear further down to reveal the white gown beneath the embellishments.

Fans shared their thoughts in the comments section. One person wrote: “You look STUNNING in that dress”. Another fan said: “Gorgeous dress Holly”. A third reacted: “So pretty”. Someone else commented: “You look gorgeous”. Whilst another follower told her: “Wow, stunning dress”.

Alongside the photo, she wrote: “Tonight it’s the @dancingonice FINAL! Our incredible celebrities @strachan. michaela @anton_ferdinand5 and @samaston93 are skating for your votes and to be our Dancing on Champion… they are all champions to me! See you on @itv at 6: 30pm #hwstyle. Dress by @idancohenofficial jewellery by @boodles shoes by @stuartweitzman”.

Last weekend’s semi-final saw the Only Way Is Essex cast member Dan Edgar and his partner Vanessa James voted out of the competition. The pair, who had been bottom of the leaderboard, lost a skate-off to Anton and Annette. It meant that Dan has placed fourth in the competition.

Previous weeks on the new series have seen the likes of EastEnders star Charlie Brooks, the Traitors finalist Mollie Pearce and Love Island’s Chris Taylor voted off the show. This year’s line-up had also featured actor Chelsee Healey, comedian Josh Jones, reality TV star Ferne McCann and retired rower Steve Redgrave. Whilst Paralympic cyclist Sarah Storey had dropped out just weeks before the series ‘ launch, with her sharing that she had fractured her ankle.

There’s speculation that tonight’s DOI episode could be its last. Over the past two years, the ITV show has lost more than one million viewers, with the 2023 launch episode being watched by 4.1 million people. However, this series has not made it over 3 million, according to official overnight ratings from BARB. Channel chiefs believe the only way to justify the huge costs involved in making Dancing on Ice going forward is by attracting a blockbuster audience, which isn’t happening.

One source said: “There are very real fears this is the end of the road for Dancing on Ice. It’s had a good run for nearly 20 years and has a very loyal set of viewers who really love it but the sad truth is there’s just not enough of them. We need bums on seats but the ratings have dropped to a point where it’s difficult to justify the cost”.

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