16 January 2024 , 07:37
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Stephen Mulhern has spoken out after he was "punched" during Dancing On Ice's first show of the series.
The ITV ice skating competition returned on Sunday night, with presenter Stephen joining Holly Willoughby as she marked her TV comeback. She had been off screens since last October following an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her. It resulted her in quitting This Morning after 14 years and sparked fears she wouldn't return as Dancing On Ice host.
The Catchphase star has joined Holly to co-present the show, having taken over from Phillip Schofield. During the first live show, Stephen suffered a blow when he was knocked flying by one of the contestants. In an unexpected skit, former professional boxer Ricky Hatton was goaded by Stephen.
Ricky sent Stephen flying on Sunday night's show (ITV)He made Ricky, who ended up in the first skate-off, hold a microphone, leaving the boxer unimpressed. Holly then teased that Ricky should "just hit" her co-host as she quipped: "Please just hit him." The boxer did just that, which left Holly visibly shocked. Stephen went flying to the floor behind her.
Stephen has since taken to social media to share he was "starting to bruise". While Ricky's own account said: "Ricky even landing knockout blows on @dancingonice! Hope you're okay @StephenMulhern." The TV star has since told MailOnline : "Ricky is one strong man. I asked him to punch me as a gag forgetting for a moment that he is a three-time boxing world champion and yes it hurt, a lot!"
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At the time fans took to social media to react to the skit. One said: "Stephen is going to sue Ricky Hatton for that punch." Another added: "Hahahaha I have to say well done Ricky Hatton. Laughing so hard over that punch." Someone else joked: "Mulhern defo needed that punch by Hatton."
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Six of the contestants performed on Sunday night alongside Ricky including Amber Davies, Greg Rutherford, Hannah Spearritt, Roxy Shahidi and Ryan Thomas for a chance to make it through to the second round of the competition. However, unluckily for Ricky he is now facing the first skate-off.
Ricky said he wasn't surprised as he shared: "I should have never been here, but it's another week of practice. And we'll just practice and hopefully get another chance to make people smile again." While host Stephen took the time to praise Holly following her return to screens.
The pair once presented Ministry Of Mayhem together which aired between 2004 and 2006. Stephen shared a short clip from their first episode co-hosting and wrote: "Unbelievably, the first ever Ministry of Mayhem aired 20 years ago TODAY! I loved the years doing this with @hollywilloughby! We’ll be back on your screens this Sunday, live at 6:30pm, doing something just as slippy…"