Dancing on Ice’s biggest scandals – from headbanger horror to bullying allegations

Since the ITV show’s debut in 2006, dancing on Ice fans have seen their fair share of scandals, nasty injuries, and television gold moments. Ferne McCann, Sir Steve Redgrave, and Michaela Strachan are the rumored celebrities taking the ice this year. Here are just a few of the most shocking things to have happened to skaters and stars over the years before the series begins.

From the beginning until May 2023, Phillip Schofield hosted the series alongside Holly Willoughby. After admitting to having an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger male coworker, the former This Morning host resigned from his ITV presenting duties. Phillip, now 62, was soon replaced by Stephen Mulhern, who hosted the programme last year alongside Holly. When Dancing on Ice hits theaters in February, the dynamic duo will start hosting again.

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. After accidentally ripping his stomach open with a skate and tearing his abs, he was taken to the hospital. When he was recovering in hospital, he told his followers on Instagram: “I effectively gave myself a C-section”.

Jennifer Ellison, an actress who kicked a scorpion on the ice while slitting her head open, was one of the most grizzly injuries in 2012. As her head started to guzzle from the back of her head, paramedics had to rush to her aid.

Another horrific moment was in 2021 when Rebekah Vardy accidentally sliced her partner’s, Andy Buchanan, face open with her ice skate during rehearsals. After being slashed across the cheek, the professional dancer was taken to the hospital. 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. During their routine, David dropped Pam, and she split her chin open on the ice. Although she needed stitches in the hospital, she later skated with David. However, that move, where a partner holds the other by the ankles with their face just inches from the ground, is now banned from the show.

What reality show wouldn’t be complete without a spat? Following a vicious critique of one routine, TOWIE legend Gemma Collins clapped back at judge Jason Gardiner during the 2019 season. She accused him of selling Gemma’s stories to the press because of her lack of ice-clever demeanor.

He later claimed that because she looked so uncomfortable, she came out and did what could only be described as one of the most agonizing routines I’ve ever had to sit through.

When rumors started to surface that Love Island star Maura Higgins had allegedly taken the spot from fellow islander Amber Gill before the 2020 series began, an awkward situation occurred. Although Maura ended up on the show, Amber, a former Love Island winner, was one of the first names rumored to be in the 2020 series.

Amber explained to The Sun: “I didn’t realise I had a place to lose, to be honest”. Addressing the hearsay 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”.

After Caprice Bourret switched partners from Hamish Gaman after she made bullying claims against him, another “swap” occurred in the 2020 series. The American model eventually gave up completely on the show.

It’s true Caprice is no longer a member of Dancing On Ice, her rep told the Daily Mail. Due to contractual obligations, she has been forced to keep quiet for a long time. Over the past two months, her mental well-being has suffered, and recent reports that have been leaked to the press have been both offensive and extremely hurtful. She needs some time to heal and look after herself and her family right now.

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.

Wes Nelson and Megan Barton Hanson broke up after his appearance on the show in 2019, which will go down in Dancing on Ice history. Wes’ partner Vanessa reportedly informed Megan that she had broken up with her long-term partner the day before his debut performance with her. Megan claimed Vanessa’s split was “tactical” to make headlines.

Later, the OnlyFans model admitted she was acting jealous, but two weeks later, Megan revealed that Wes and she had split up.

In the 2011 series Loose Women, Loose Women star Denise Welch and her ex-husband Tim Healy, another couple caught the attention of viewers. Tim jumped up from his seat to confront the outspoken skater when Jason on the judging panel called Denise’s skating “abysmal.” Denise yelled, “Sit down”, as she tried to calm Tim down during a particularly dramatic episode.

Dancing On Ice 2025 starts on Sunday 12th February on ITV1 and ITVX.

Source: Mirror