Dancing On Ice’s future is thrown into doubt as judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean reveal they’re able to retire – whereas host Holly Willoughby is ‘eager to develop her profession’
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Dancing On Ice’s future has been thrown into doubt after the head judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean revealed they are ready to hang up their skates.
The confession comes as the ITV show is set to return to screens in January, but beyond that the future of the show is known.
Ratings for the competition have been falling steadily over the years and the former Olympic gold medalists are readying themselves for retirement, according to the Mirror.
This could mean that the show’s 17th series is it’s last almost 20 years after it first aired.
But before the duo skate away in to the sunset, they will do a final tour next year, and they will continue to judge the celebrities as they take to the ice.
The pair’s possible departure from the show could be the final nail in the coffin as the competition would lose one of its biggest draws, despite their plans to stay on as coaches and judges.
Dancing On Ice’s future is in doubt after the head judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean revealed they are ready to hang up their skates
Ratings for the competition have been falling steadily over the years and the former Olympic gold medalists are readying themselves for retirement
Another issue ITV producers will have to contend with host Holly Willoughby, 43, who is reportedly keen to expand her career and try new things (pictured on the show in January 2024)
Chris told the publication that the future of the show will be known by the end of the series.
He said: ‘By the end of the series we’ll know.
‘We would love the show to continue. It’s been a renaissance for us. It started 2006 so it’s almost 20 years of our life as well. We’ve been doing Dancing On Ice longer than we did as competitors.’
His partner Jayne explained: ‘We were part of it from the beginning.’
The last series saw struggling viewing ratings with one episode managing to pull in only 2.9million viewers, a stark contrast to the 12 million it got at its peak.
Another issue ITV producers will have to contend with is the show’s host Holly Willoughby, 43, is reportedly keen to expand her career and try new things.
Despite their stars possible moving on to greener pastures, ITV is still hoping its latest batch of stars including Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave, 62, and Coronation Street actor Sam Aston, 31, will draw viewers back in.
Last week Ferne McCann showed off her impressive ice skating skills while Dan Edgar practised some daring lifts ahead of their stint on Dancing On Ice.
The pair’s possible departure from the show could be the final nail in the coffin as the competition would lose one of its biggest draws – although the pair could stay on as coaches and judges
Last week Ferne McCann showed off her impressive ice skating skills despite previosuly revealing how nervous she was to take part
Elsewhere, Dan Edgar, 34, and his partner Vanessa James Amoros were laser-focused while practicing their routine both on and off the ice
The Only Way Is Essex stars as set to battle it out on the rink when the hit ITV show, kicks off in January and have been undergoing gruelling training sessions.
Ferne, 34, who is partnered with Brendyn Hatfield, wrapped up against the chill in a white fleece and black leggings.
Professional Brendyn was seen lifting her into the air at one point while moving gracefully across the ice.
Elsewhere, Dan, 34, and his partner Vanessa James Amoros were laser-focused while practicing their routine both on and off the ice.
The TV personality wore a white quarter zip and black jogging bottoms for another long day of rehearsals.
Speaking to MailOnline at the Pride Of Britain Awards, Ferne lifted the lid on her worries about taking part in the ITV competition.
She said candidly: ‘Everyone has said to me “Oh can you ice skate?” and I’ve found it a really difficult question to answer. No I can’t ice skate, I’ve done the odd Winter Wonderland with Sunday.
‘I’m normally bending over a penguin trying to keep her up. I’m fit right, I like to work out, but this is a whole different ball game and it’s challenging.
‘I can ice skate now after my two weeks training are very much underway and it’s really fun and it’s great to learn a new skill.’
The reality TV star added: ‘It’s just challenging. I’ve been watching on YouTube and scrolling through the Dancing On Ice Instagram and I just want to focus day by day instead of looking because it throws me off.
‘In my mind, where I am now, I can’t see how I’m going to get to show live ready. It doesn’t compute.’