After 19 years of being on television, Dancing On Ice has been discontinued. We look back on the show’s most shocking moments and scandals, which helped the series shake up as the real reason behind its sad end comes to light.
Dancing On Ice has been given the chop after viewing figures plummeted for the last series, it has been revealed. The shock news means former This Morning host Holly Willoughby no longer has any programmes with ITV, for the first time since 2004.
ITV bosses made the decision after viewing figures fell below 3million. The most recent final, won by Coronation Street star Sam Aston, managed to attract just 2.7 million viewers – a stark decline from the viewing figures it once enjoyed, with an estimated 12 million tuning in during previous years.
Phillip Schofield presented the series alongside Holly Willoughby from its conception up until May 2023. The former This Morning host stepped down from his ITV presenting roles after admitting to having an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague. Phillip was soon replaced by Stephen Mulhern, who hosted the programme alongside Holly.
READ MORE: Dancing On Ice axed by ITV after 19 years as viewing figures continued to plummet
Dancing on Ice fans have watched their fair share of bust-ups, nasty injuries and television gold moments since the ITV show launched back in 2006. The line-up of celebrities taking on the ice this year includes Ferne McCann, Sir Steve Redgrave and Michaela Strachan. Below, we look back at a few of the most shocking things to happen to the stars and professional skaters over the years, including scandals that rocked the series.
Last year’s series was not all smooth sailing for the celebrities, especially for British track and field athlete Greg Rutherford. The now 38-year-old was all set for the final with his pro partner Vanessa James, when disaster struck. He had to be rushed to hospital after he accidentally ripped open his stomach with a skate and tore his abs. When he was recovering in hospital, he told his followers on Instagram: “I effectively gave myself a C-section.” One of the most grizzly injuries happened back in 2012 when actress Jennifer Ellison sliced her head open after conducting a scorpion kick on the ice. Paramedics had to rush to her aid as blood started gushing from the back of her head.
Another horrific moment was in 2021 when Rebekah Vardy accidentally sliced her partner Andy Buchanan’s face open with her ice skate during rehearsals. The pro dancer had to be rushed to hospital after being slashed across the cheek. Following the incident, she said: “It was quite scary. But it brings back the realisation that what we’re doing is really bl**dy dangerous.”
In the inaugural series, former England goalkeeper David Seaman and his partner Pam O’Connor attempted a dangerous headbanger, which is perhaps one of the worst accidents ever to occur to a professional skater. Pam split her chin open on the ice during the routine when David dropped her. Although she needed stitches in the hospital, she later skated with David. However, that move, in which one partner holds the other by the ankles while their face is only a few inches away from the ground, was later banned from the show.
What reality show wouldn’t be complete without a spat? During the 2019 series, TOWIE legend Gemma Collins clapped back at judge Jason Gardiner following a savage critique after one routine. Jason criticised Gemma’s lack of elegance on the ice and she accused him of selling stories about her to the press. After calling her lazy, he later said: “She came out and did what can only be described as one of the most painful routines I’ve ever had to sit through because it looked so uncomfortable.”
An awkward moment happened ahead of the 2020 series starting when rumours started swirling that Love Island star Maura Higgins ‘stole’ fellow islander Amber Gill’s spot. Love Island winner Amber was one of the first names reported to be in the 2020 series, but Maura ended up appearing on the show. Amber told The Sun: “I didn’t realise I had a place to lose, to be honest.” Addressing the rumours at The Mirror’s Animal Hero Awards, Maura told us: “I mean, I know a lot of people went for castings for the show, but I was lucky enough to get it.”
Another so called ‘swap’ happened in the 2020 series after Caprice Bourret switched partners from Hamish Gaman after she made bullying claims against him. The American model later quit the show entirely. Her rep told the Daily Mail: “It’s true that Caprice is no longer participating in Dancing On Ice It’s been a hard few months and she’s had to keep silent for contractual reasons. Her mental wellbeing has been affected over the last two months and recent stories leaked to the press are not only salacious but extremely hurtful. Now she’s taking some time to recover and look after herself and her family.”
The romance rumors that Dancing on Ice have also been true. At the conclusion of their High School Musical routine, TOWIE’s Joey Essex appeared to lean in for a kiss with his professional partner Vanessa Bauer, leaving viewers with tears. Before the judges made their remarks, Vanessa swerved and looked horrified as she did it.
A split which will go down in Dancing on Ice history was when Love Island’s Megan Barton Hanson and Wes Nelson broke up following his time on the show in 2019. Megan was reportedly devastated when Wes’ partner Vanessa confirmed she’d broken up with her long-term boyfriend on the day of his debut performance with her. Megan claimed Vanessa’s split was “tactical” to make headlines. The OnlyFans model later admitted she was just acting jealous, but two weeks after her outburst, Megan announced she and Wes had parted ways.
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