Showbiz

How Dancing On Ice was revived in 2018 with ‘refreshed look’ after being scrapped four years earlier – amid reports series could AGAIN face axe just days after Sam Aston’s victory

How Dancing On Ice was revived in 2018 with ‘refreshed look’ after being scrapped four years earlier – amid reports series could AGAIN face axe just days after Sam Aston’s victory

Coronation Street star Sam Aston was crowned the 2025 champion of Dancing On Ice in a nail biting final on Sunday. 

But his win comes amid spiralling rumours the ITV skating series could face the axe thanks to falling ratings.    

Hosted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern, Dancing On Ice has haemorrhaged over a million viewers in the last two years with staff told the ‘tired’ show, which first launched in 2006, is ‘over’.

According to The Sun the series could be rested, before being revamped and relaunched at a later date.

But it’s not the first time the show has been cancelled only to be brought back with a ‘refreshed’ look. 

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean announced in 2013 that the ninth series in 2014 would be their last, which sparked rumours the entire show would be panned as a result. 

Coronation Street star Sam Aston was crowned the 2025 champion of Dancing On Ice on Sunday - but his win comes amid spiralling rumours the ITV skating series could face the axe

Coronation Street star Sam Aston was crowned the 2025 champion of Dancing On Ice on Sunday – but his win comes amid spiralling rumours the ITV skating series could face the axe 

Hosted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern , Dancing On Ice has haemorrhaged over a million viewers in the last two years with staff told the 'tired' show, which first launched in 2006, is 'over'

Hosted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern , Dancing On Ice has haemorrhaged over a million viewers in the last two years with staff told the ‘tired’ show, which first launched in 2006, is ‘over’

The 2014 season marked the 30th anniversary of the pair’s world-famous Bolero routine, which they first performed at the 1984 Olympics. 

It was an all-star special featuring former contestants and winners, and X Factor star Ray Quinn and his skating partner Maria Filippov were ultimately crowned champions. 

Skating legends Torvill and Dean, who act as teachers and mentors for the celebrities on the ITV show, had revealed they wanted the programme to ‘go out on a high’ with its last series falling on the anniversary.

Dean said of the decision at the time: ‘Next year is going to be the final Dancing On Ice. It has come full circle for us.

‘It’s 30 years next year since we performed in Bolero on February 14th, Valentine’s Day, and we just thought it’s full circle.

‘We’ve had this wonderful experience and we just wanted to finish at the top of our game, and the show to be on top of its game.’  

Another factor in the cancellation of the 2013 series was plummeting ratings – which has been cited as a factor in the possible axing of the current edition.

The live final of the 2013 series, which saw Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle crowned the winner, saw just 6.7million viewers on average tuning in – less than half of the peak of 13million people who tuned in to watch the 2006 final.

The 2014 final was an all-star special featuring former contestants and winners, and X Factor star Ray Quinn and his skating partner Maria Filippov were ultimately crowned champions

The 2014 final was an all-star special featuring former contestants and winners, and X Factor star Ray Quinn and his skating partner Maria Filippov were ultimately crowned champions

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean announced in 2013 that the ninth series in 2014 would be their last, which sparked rumours the entire show would be panned as a result (Seen in 2014)

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean announced in 2013 that the ninth series in 2014 would be their last, which sparked rumours the entire show would be panned as a result (Seen in 2014)

It had been hoped that the return of acerbic judge Jason would boost ratings, but even the inclusion of Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts on the judging panel did little to entice viewers to tune in.

Dean said at the time: ‘Ratings are down across the board. There are so many channels and so much choice nowadays.’

It was speculated the show could continue past 2014 with new coaches but sure enough, Dancing On Ice was axed after the series nine final.

Three years later, in early 2017, rumours began to circulate that the show was set for a comeback and later that year it was confirmed it would return with a ‘refreshed’ look. 

The show relocated from Elstree Studios to RAF Bovingdon in Hertfordshire in a bid to revamp the compeтιтion. 

Ahead of the launch, Torvill told The Sun that, in order to attract viewers, she believed there was ‘a new bar to set’ for the show and that it was in desperate need of a revamp.

She told the paper: ‘I love that it’s coming back, it’s great news – I’m really looking forward to it.

‘The show will definitely be refreshed but the basics will be the same, we will still be teaching celebrities how to skate.

‘It was a different sort of platform being in the studio – we like to be creative and come up with new things. There’s a new bar to set when the show returns.’ 

Three years later, in early 2017, rumours began to circulate that the show was set for a comeback and later that year it was confirmed it would return with a 'refreshed' look (Seen in 2017)

Three years later, in early 2017, rumours began to circulate that the show was set for a comeback and later that year it was confirmed it would return with a ‘refreshed’ look (Seen in 2017)

The revival saw X Factor Jake Quickenden crowned the winner of Dancing on Ice 2018 (Pictured)

The revival saw X Factor Jake Quickenden crowned the winner of Dancing on Ice 2018 (Pictured)

ITV presenting duo Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield returned as hosts, with Christopher Dean, Jayne Torvill, Ashley Banjo and Jason Gardiner judging the contestants’ fancy footwork each week. 

Willoughby and her former This Morning co-host presented the show together for the first six series from 2006 before Christine Lampard joined Schofield for DOI’s final three series. 

Of her excitement at its return, Willoughby said: ‘I have found a new appreciation for this show, (which I love) since having the kids. It is exactly the type of show we sit and watch as a family. 

‘We love Strictly, The X Factor and we love sitting there watching those big family event TV moments. It is nice that my children are now old enough to come and watch and enjoy DOI.’

The revival saw X Factor Jake Quickenden crowned the winner of Dancing on Ice 2018.

He raised the DOI trophy after skating the famous Bolero head-to-head with Coronation Street actress Brooke Vincent, with finalist Max Evans having lost out in the first round of public votes.

Falling to the floor in jubilation, Jake yelled out: ‘I can’t get my head around it! I might not have to do any more reality shows now!’ 

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