Dancing On Ice’s Dan Edgar and pro partner Vanessa James became the latest couple to leave the compeтιтion on Sunday, in what viewers branded ‘the most boring ever’ semi-final.
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 Aston skated effortlessly through to next week’s finale, Dan and Anton were forced to return to the rink.
However despite his best efforts judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Oti Mabuse and Jordan Banjo all 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’.
Dancing On Ice ‘s Dan Edgar and pro partner Vanessa James became the latest couple to leave the compeтιтion on Sunday, in what viewers branded ‘the most boring ever’ semi-final
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
Despite Dan’s best efforts judges Jayne Torvill , Christopher Dean , Oti Mabuse and Jordan Banjo all decided to save ex footballer Anton.
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’:
‘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’.
‘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.
While TV’s Michaela Strachan (L) and Corrie actor Sam Aston (R) skated effortlessly through to next week’s finale, Dan and Anton were forced to return to the rink
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’
This marked Dan’s second week in the dreaded skate off
All the contestants were tasked with skating solo during their routines
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’
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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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.’
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.
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’ 
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.
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 compeтιтion would lose one of its biggest draws, despite their plans to stay on as coaches and judges.
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.
Holly Willoughby, 44, looked nothing short of sensational as she hosted the semi-finals on Sunday evening alongside Stephen Mulhern, 47
A source said there are concerns behind the scenes that falling viewership could spell the end for the skating series after 20 years on air
Judge Jordan’s dance group Diversity performed
They were joined during routine by the show’s professionals
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
Ratings for the compeтιтion have been falling steadily over the years and the former Olympic gold medalists are readying themselves for retirement
Speaking in January, Jayne and Chris spoke about their plans to hang up their skates – and what that could mean for the ice dancing show they inspired
‘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 compeтιтors.’
His partner Jayne explained: ‘We were part of it from the beginning.’
Speaking in Prima magazine’s January issue, Jayne and Chris spoke about their plans to hang up their skates – and what that could mean for the ice dancing show they inspired.
The pair, known as Torvill and Dean, rose to fame when they won gold at the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics with their iconic skate to Maurice Ravel’s Boléro – which is replicated each year by the Dancing On Ice finalists.
The skating stars delight Dancing On Ice viewers each year as they themselves take to the ice.
But they confirmed that will no longer be a feature if the show does continue beyond this series.
‘If Dancing on Ice continues after the next series, we will still be part of that, but we won’t be performing within it as we normally do,’ Jayne said.
‘We’ll just be there for the judging.’
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.’
