Dancing on Ice fans upset as two pros announce they’re leaving ITV show

Two Dancing On Ice (DOI) pros just announced that they would not be coming back after the upcoming season.

The upcoming ITV show series’ rehearsals are currently in progress, scheduled for January of next year. The lineup of professional ice skaters and the celebrity contestants have been announced.

When the contestants make their debut on the ice for the first time in the launch episode, there are certain to be many returning pros as well as some brand-new faces. Two experts have confirmed that this will be their final DOI series this week, though.

It’s now been announced that it will be the final series for returning pros Mark Hanretty, 39, and Brendyn Hatfield, 38. On Tuesday, they shared the news to the long-running skating competition’s fans on their respective Instagram accounts.

Alongside a photo of himself at ITV Studios, Mark – who has been on the show since 2011 – wrote: “I’m back! Hard to believe I’m embarking on my 12th series of]DOI]. I’m backstage ready to work on the biggest show ever on ice once more, and I’m so happy. I’m eager to soak up every second of it, he said in the post’s title. This will be my final year as a professional skater. Good luck to all the team and here’s to a fantastic series”.

The news prompted disappointment among some fans, with one responding: “I’m sad it’s your last series”. Another wrote in the comments section: “We’ll miss you”. Whilst a third wrote in their reply: “Don’t do this to us Mark”.

While his co-star Brendyn, who joined the show in 2020, announced his departure on his own page. He wrote alongside a photo of himself: “Here we go! I’m looking forward to returning for my sixth and final season of [DOI]. Let’s make this one the best one”!

Fans were similarly disappointed by his post. One person commented: “Glad to hear you’re back but sad to hear it’s your last”. Another said: “Will miss seeing you on our screens”. A third wrote: “Gutted it’s your final series”.

In the sixth season that was broadcast in 2011, Mark made his first appearance on DOI. Since then, he has reached the final along with radio host Adele Roberts, singer Kimberly Wyatt, and athlete Libby Clegg.

Brendyn made his 2020 debut on the show’s twelveth season. Along with rapper Lady Leshurr, he placed fourth in the following year, along with Love Islander Ekin-Su Cülcülolu, one of his other skating partners. On the television program in 2022, he notably partnered with S Club member Rachel Stevens, with whom he is currently dating.

ITV is anticipated to announce the pairings for the new series of DOI closer to the launch, but they haven’t yet been revealed. The line-up of contestants include reality TV star Ferne McCann, Coronation Street’s Sam Aston, former footballer Anton Ferdinand and presenter Michaela Strachan.

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Source: Mirror