21 January 2024 , 20:15
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Dancing On Ice host Stephen Mulhern laughed off the Ricky Hatton punch blunder on Sunday evening.
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. He made Ricky, who ended up in the first skate-off, hold a microphone, leaving the boxer unimpressed.
Holly Willoughby 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. This week, he addressed the awkward incident at the start of Sunday's show.
After introducing the remaining celebrity contestants, Stephen told viewers: At the end of the show one of them will face boxer Ricky Hatton in the first skate-off of the series. Someone will be going home tonight and you do not want to go up against Ricky Hatton. I've not been able to use my left arm all week."
Stephen was accidentally punched by Ricky Hatton during the first live show (ITV)Former This Morning star Holly joked: "Oh Stevie, you'll be okay." Ricky later showed up on the rink and Stephen protected himself by dressing in layers of padding. He completed the outfit with a head guard and gloves. Ricky taunted the presenter, who then jokingly chased him off the stage.
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After the incident first happened, Stephen took 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 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!"
He joked about the incident on this week's show (ITV)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."
Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill were back on hand with scores and feedback on tonight's show. As hosts Holly and Stephen got back to proceedings, it was Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney, EastEnders actor Ricky Norwood, Made in Chelsea’s Miles Nazaire, comedian Lou Sanders, Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards and DJ Adele Roberts taking to the ice.
Dancing On Ice airs Sundays at 6:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X.*