Dancing On Ice Bosses Cut Short Ill-Fated Series And Bring Forward Final

ITV has cut short the current series of Dancing On Ice after it was hit by a number of disasters. 

Five celebrities have had to withdraw from the skating competition thanks to injuries or positive Covid tests. 

Bosses confirmed that the end of the series will now be brought forward a week to 14 March.

There were 12 celebrities at the start of Dancing On Ice 2021

An ITV spokesperson said in a statement: “ITV have taken the decision to move the final of Dancing on Ice forward by one week. The competition’s final will now take place on Sunday 14 March.

“Our production team and cast have delivered a fantastic show during incredibly challenging times. Continuing to make the best TV for our viewers is our top priority and we look forward to the rest of the series, on air from this Sunday at 6pm.”

The move to cut short the series follows the decision to take the show off air last Sunday in the hope of getting the competition back on track. 

However, producers were dealt another blow when Jason Donovan became the fifth contestant forced to quit the show last week, after failing to recover from a back injury that saw him pull out of a live show earlier this month. 

Dancing On Ice presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield

West End performer and TV personality Denise Van Outen previously quit the series when she fractured her shoulder on the ice, while comedian Rufus Hound also stepped down when he tested positive for Covid-19.

Reality star Billie Shepherd had to bow out early when she suffered a concussion during rehearsals, a week after missing a live show due to a personal bereavement.

Emmerdale star Joe-Warren Plant then became the fourth contestant to quit, after he and his skating partner Vanessa Bauer tested positive for Covid-19.

Professional skater Hamish Gaman had to pull out of the series after injuring his hand while putting on a sock, while fellow pro Yebin Mok was forced to quit after a “freak accident” while rehearsing with her celebrity partner, Grahame Bell.

Five celebrities now remain in the competition, including rapper Lady Leshurr, former soap star Faye Brookes and Olympian Colin Jackson, media personality Rebekah Vardy and radio presenter Sonny Jay.

Dancing On Ice continues on Sunday at 6pm on ITV.