Dancing On Ice was forced to apologise after judge Christopher Dean swore live on air during Sunday’s ‘most boring ever’ semi-finals.

The Olympian, 66, was scoring Corrie actor Sam Aston, 31, and pro partner Molly Lanaghan’s perfomance when he suffered a slip of the tongue. 

Chris was impressed with the soap star’s routine and joined Oti Mabuse and Ashley Banjo by marking a perfect ten, while Jayne Torville gave the couple 9.5.

However the celebs had also been tasked with performing solo and when asked by hosts Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern Sam’s mark a flustered Chris exclaimed: ‘Oh f***ing heck, I forgot to put that in.’

Before adding apologetically: ‘I got so excited with your performance that I forgot to give you a mark’.

Viewers couldn’t believe their ears and took to X: ‘Did Christopher Dean just drop an F bomb?’: ‘Did Christ just go F***ing Heck’.

Dancing On Ice was forced to apologise after judge Christopher Dean swore live on air during Sunday’s semi-finals

The Olympian, 66, was scoring Corrie actor Sam Aston’s perfomance when he suffered a slip of the tongue (Hosts Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern pictured)

The show saw Dan Edgar and pro partner Vanessa James became the latest couple to leave the compeтιтion. 

The TOWIE star, 34, landed in the skate off alongside Anton Ferdinand after judges set the contestants the challenge of including a solo perfomance in their routines. 

While TV’s Michaela Strachan and Corrie actor Sam skated effortlessly through to next week’s finale, Dan and Anton were forced to return to the rink.

However despite his best efforts all the judges decided to save ex footballer Anton.

Reflecting on his time in the compeтιтion Dan said: ‘I have had an amazing experience, I am very grateful for it’. 

Before adding: ‘We did out best tonight and I walk away with my head held high’.

However despite the skating and judge Jordan’s dance group Diversity performing, viewers branding the show ‘boring’ and begged for the series to ‘call it a day’ – amid rumours plummeting ratings could result the compeтιтion being axed. 

Taking to X they complained: ‘Most boring semi-final ever’: ‘You know it’s bad when there’s more entertainment in all the ad breaks’: ‘Obviously lacking funding with the amount of ad breaks. One after every skate’: 

Dancing On Ice semi-final leaderboard

Michaela Strachan and Mark Hanretty – 40 + 9 = 49.0

Sam Aston and Molly Lanaghan – 39.5 + 9= 48.5

Anton Ferdinand and Annette Dytrt – 38 + 7 = 45.0

Dan Edgar and Vanessa James – 37.5 + 6 = 43.5 – ELIMINATED 

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Chris was impressed with the soap star ‘s routine and joined Oti Mabuse and Ashley Banjo by marking a perfect ten, while Jayne Torville gave the couple 9.5

However the celebs had also been tasked with performing solo and when asked by hosts Holly and Stephen Sam’s mark a flustered Chris exclaimed: ‘Oh f***ing heck, I forgot to put that in

Before adding apologetically: ‘I got so excited with your performance that I forgot to give you a mark’

Viewers couldn’t believe their ears and took to X: ‘Did Christopher Dean just drop an F bomb?’: ‘Did Christ just go F***ing Heck’

‘Dear god Dancing On Ice it’s time to call this a day, I’ve never been so bored. OI can’t imagine any of this lot doing Bolero any kind of justice whatsoever’: ‘ Watching every series but this one is awful. High scores for minimum skating. Don’t think even Jason Gardener being back could save it’. 

Read More Holly Willoughby stuns in a figure-hugging strapless gown for Dancing On Ice’s semi-finals amid fears the ITV show will be ‘AXED due to plummeting ratings’

‘No idea why it’s limped on for the past 3 years as never had good ratings!!! DOI since it was brought back! ITV get (regular Sunday night schedule) up to 9pm dramas look how successful BBC1 holds live audiences with sane show Countryfile and Antiques Roadshow!’.

A source told The Mirror there are concerns behind the scenes that falling viewership could spell the end for the skating series after 20 years on air. 

Dancing On Ice has lost over a million viewers in the last two years, with its 2023 launch drawing in 4.1million yet no episode this series has made it above 3million. 

A source said: ‘There are very real fears this is the end of the road for Dancing on Ice. It’s had a good run for nearly 20 years and has a very loyal set of viewers who really love it but the sad truth is there’s just not enough of them. 

‘We need bums on seats but the ratings have dropped to a point where it’s difficult to justify the cost. 

An ITV spokeswoman told the publication: ‘The Dancing on Ice team is fully concentrating on the much anticipated series finale this coming Sunday and therefore no decision has been made.’

The show saw Dan Edgar and pro partner Vanessa James became the latest couple to leave the compeтιтion 

The TOWIE star, 34, landed in the skate off alongside Anton Ferdinand (right) after judges set the contestants the challenge of including a solo perfomance in their routines

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Dancing On Ice for comment. 

Another issue ITV producers will have to contend with is the show’s host Holly is reportedly keen to expand her career and try new things. 

The future of Dancing On Ice was thrown into doubt ahead of this series after the head judges Torvill and 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 compeтιтion 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. 

DANCING ON ICE 2025: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

FERNE MCCANN 

AGE: 34

PROFESSION: Reality TV star 

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited, it’s going to be a huge challenge but I’m excited for the glitz and glamour of the show.’

SIR STEVE REDRGAVE

AGE: 62

PROFESSION: Former Olympic rower 

WHAT DID THEY SAY? ‘It’s like going back to being an athlete again, I’ve been competing most of my life.’

CHARLIE BROOKS 

AGE: 43

PROFESSION: Soap star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve skated when I was a kid and with mulled wine at Christmas. Until I get on the ice I have no idea how I’m going to be. I’m not that strong.’

 

 ANTON FERDINAND

 AGE: 39

PROFESSION: Footballer and pundit

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: Dancing On Ice will give me that focus but I’m also doing it for my daughter because she loves dance and performing arts.’

 

 CHRIS TAYLOR

Age: 34

PROFESSION: Reality star

 WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m somewhere between absolutely terrified and very excited and I keep flitting between the two quite aggressively throughout the day. I’ve not even started stretching yet, I need to.’

 

CHELSEE HEALEY 

 AGE: 36

PROFESSION: Actress

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m ready, I’m good to go, let’s go! I’ve got a bit of rhythm but skating on ice is completely different, I’m excited. 

MOLLIE PEARCE 

 AGE: 22

PROFESSION: Reality TV star and model

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘It will be fun, I want to challenge myself, I’m ready for the challenge.’

SAM ASTON 

AGE: 31 

PROFESSION: Soap star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘Anyone at work who I’ve spoken to has done it have all kind of the same thing that it is a great experience and it is really hard, and it’s tiring and tough but it is brilliant as well.’

JOSH JONES

AGE: 31

PROFESSION: Comedian 

WHAT DID THEY SAY? ‘I’ve not got any skating experience whatsoever, I did it once for a date years ago and I wasn’t very good, I was holding onto the railings the entire time and we aren’t together now.’

 

 MICHAELA STRACHAN 

 

 AGE: 58

PROFESSION: Television presenter

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘It’s going to be a big challenge, I think the last time I was on ice was 14 years ago, because I trained as a dancer, I’ve got a bit of balance, but I have no idea whether I’m going to be good.’

 

DAN EDGAR 

AGE: 34

PROFESSION: TOWIE star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m looking forward to it but the thought of the live shows and performing is very real.’

 

DAME SARAH STOREY 

AGE: 46

PROFESSION: Paralympian 

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m excited to learn a new skill and have the opportunity to put myself out there and learn a new sport.’