Holly Willoughby reveals genius way she sneaked booze into Dancing on Ice final despite Covid restrictions

Holly had a plan to keep things fun in 2021 (Picture: Matt Frost/ITV/REX)

Holly Willoughby has spoken about making Dancing on Ice as fun as possible despite strict coronavirus restrictions, after she sneaked some alcohol into the final last year.

The presenter revealed she brought drinks into the studio when the wrap party was axed after a string of positive Covid cases and injuries – and the way she did it is absolute genius.

Speaking ahead of the new series, Holly said: ‘Last year because of Covid we weren’t allowed a wrap party so I snuck in two of my kids’ water bottles with their names on.’

She added: ‘Nobody could see what was inside it, and I filled them up with gin and tonics, one for Phil and one for me and in the last ad break before the end, I was like, “we can bring out the gin now.”

‘We both sat there, I think Phil had Chester’s bottle and I had Belle’s and we sat there and had a gin and tonic.’

Holly went on to say: ‘We don’t do this on every ad break but for the final there was no wrap party and after the last series we all needed it.’

Holly and Phillip are back to host the show in 2021 (Picture: ITV)

The 40-year-old has hosted Dancing on Ice since 2006 – but when asked if she would she ever take to the ice herself ahead of new episodes, she wasn’t so sure.

‘Not on the show, but I’d love to have a lesson. I’d love to do that but not filmed or live on a Sunday night,’ she said.

‘No way, my fear would take over and I’d go rigid and just panic and I think all of those things are a lethal combination on the ice. But I’d love to have an ice skating lesson.’

The show returns later this month (Picture: Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Meanwhile, ITV has confirmed that Dancing on Ice will kick off on Sunday, January 16.

​​The 12 celebrity contestants this year include the likes of Love Island’s Liberty Poole, Pussycat Dolls’ Kimberly Wyatt, Ex-Strictly dancer Brendan Cole, Happy Mondays star Bez and former S Club 7 singer Rachel Stevens.

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It was previously confirmed that Oti Mabuse will be replacing John Barrowman on the panel of the ITV skating competition ahead of the new series launching this month.

Holly’s co-host Phillip Schofield has said he will miss the ‘larger than life’ John in the new episodes.

Dancing on Ice begins on ITV on January 16.

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