Entertainment
Dancing On Ice deny plans to bring back former celebrities as five stars are forced to drop out
Dancing On Ice has denied plans to bring back ex-contestants to ‘save the show’ and fill its two-hour running time after five celebrities have been forced to drop out this series.
The latest leaver is professional skater Hamish Gaman, who had to quit after injuring his hand while putting on a sock.
It came after the exits of TV presenter Denise Van Outen and reality TV star Billie Faiers, who were both injured, and actor Joe-Warren Plant and comedian Rufus Hound, who tested positive for coronavirus.
Singer Jason Donovan also missed an episode due to a back injury.
The Sun reports that the team have been holding meetings behind-the-scenes to work out how to move forward, with ideas supposedly including adding more professional skating routines into episodes and bringing former winners back.
However the ITV ice-skating competition has said in a statement that no changes will be made to the programme when it returns next week.
A spokesperson for the show told Metro.co.uk: ‘No such meetings or conversations have taken place. The series in its usual format will resume on February 28.’
Dancing On Ice will not air on Sunday as producers took the decision to pause filming for ‘the welfare of the cast and crew’.
ITV said: ‘ITV have taken the decision to pause Dancing on Ice this week and there will be no live show on Sunday 21st February. Each week our production team and cast have delivered a fantastic show during incredibly challenging times.
‘The welfare of all of those involved is important to us and we felt it prudent to take a week’s break at this juncture. Continuing to make the best TV for our viewers is of paramount importance to us and we look forward to resuming the competition next week, with the show back live on Sunday 28th February.’
In place of this weekend’s live episode, a special tribute programme, Dancing On Ice: The Greatest Show On Ice, will air in its 6pm slot.
Last Sunday’s show saw Amy Tinkler become the latest celeb to be eliminated.
Dancing On Ice returns next Sunday at 6pm on ITV.
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