Dancing On Ice’s most cursed series ever as show limps to early finish

Dancing On Ice was supposed to provide a bit of normality for the nation during what’s been a strange and difficult year.

But sadly, it’s been plagued by drama.

Between stars being injured and having to drop out after contracting coronavirus, the 2021 series of the show has become the most cursed ever.

As it limps to an early finish tonight – with the usual 10 episodes falling to eight – we take a look back at all the things that have gone wrong…

Injuries

Professional Yebin Mok was the first star who had to drop out, as she was injured before she’d even done her first performance with Olympic skiier Graham Bell.

While training, an accident saw her cut her leg on Graham’s skate and she had to take time off.

Graham was given an extra week to learn his routine with new pro Karina Manta and said he had hoped that he’d be in the contest long enough to be reunited with Yebin, but sadly he was sent home before she had the chance to return.

TV presenter Denise Van Outen also ended up dropping out of the competition after she broke her shoulder in three places.

After a couple of appearances on the show in a glitzy sling, she wasn’t able to continue and was replaced by Olympian Amy Tinkler.

Reality star Billie Faiers, aka Shepherd, had an extra tough time on the show.

She missed one live performance following the death of her beloved grandmother and after returning to training, she hit her head on the ice and had to drop out due to her injuries.

Actor and singer Jason Donovan exited the contest after injuring his back.

He missed one skate and later announced he wouldn’t be able to return to the show.

Professional Hamish Gaman pulled out of the contest after injuring his finger.

He’d been partnered with former Coronation Street star Faye Brookes, who then teamed up with Denise’s original partner Matt Evers.

Coronavirus

Emmerdale star Joe-Warren Plant and his professional Vanessa Bauer were forced to pull out of the contest after a positive Covid test.

The actor said at the time: “Having tested positive for Covid this now means the end of the competition for Vanessa and I. I have loved every minute of being a part of Dancing On Ice and I am disappointed as I feel I had so much more to give and was working hard to perfect each performance.

“Thank you so much to Vanessa for being a fantastic teacher and although its been cut short, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Thank you to all the crew who have been brilliant and especially thanks to the other cast members, they have been hugely supportive and I wish them all the very best.”

Comedian Rufus Hound withdrew from the show after testing positive for Covid-19.

He had already missed a show after coming into contact with someone with coronavirus and having to isolate.

He later confirmed his departure by tweeting: “I will no longer be participating in @dancingonice COVID is – as I’m sure we’re all well aware – a b*****d and sadly the world isn’t short of those.”

Cancelled show

Following a string of catastrophes, bosses took the decision to miss a week of live shows in the middle of the series.

A best bits look back of the show over the years was broadcast instead, but even that caused controversy when a number of former contestants took to social media to moan that they hadn’t been included.

A source told The Mirror at the time: “ITV have taken the decision to pause Dancing on Ice this week and there will be no live show on Sunday 21st February.

“Each week our production team and cast have delivered a fantastic show during incredibly challenging times.

“The welfare of all of those involved is important to us and we felt it prudent to take a week’s break at this juncture.

“Continuing to make the best TV for our viewers is of paramount importance to us and we look forward to resuming the competition next week, with the show back live on Sunday 28th February.”

Early finish

For the first time in the show’s history, both reserves were brought in.

Amy replaced Denise and comedian Matt Richardson was brought in when Rufus had to pull out.

After more stars than ever dropped out of the contest, there weren’t enough contestants left to do the usual 10 episodes.

With one episode already missed, the decision was taken to end the show a week earlier than scheduled so that there would be three people left for the big finale.

The show ends tonight, a week earlier than originally scheduled, and it’s sure to have been tense for producers while they kept their fingers crossed that no one else had to pull out.

An ITV spokesperson said at the time: “ITV have taken the decision to move the final of Dancing On Ice forward by one week.

“The competition’s final will now take place on Sunday 14th March.

“Our production team and cast have delivered a fantastic show during incredibly challenging times.

“Continuing to make the best TV for our viewers is our top priority and we look forward to the rest of the series, on air from this Sunday at 6pm.”

Who’s in the final?

The three people left in the contest are Faye, Olympian Colin Jackson and Capital DJ Sonny Jay.

After a tense and dramatic series, only they are left with a chance of winning.

* The Dancing On Ice final airs tonight at 6pm on ITV

Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/dancing-ices-most-cursed-series-23666206