25 February 2024 , 22:04
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Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean’s decision to hang up their skates could be the beginning of the end for Dancing on Ice as ratings keep tumbling.
The pair marked the 40th anniversary of their stunning win at the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo by announcing their retirement from performing together. It came as the ITV series got its smallest ever audience, with just 2.9 million viewers watching the celebrity skaters on January 28.
It is far short of the 12 million who tuned in during the show’s heyday and will come as a big blow to long-term presenter Holly Willoughby, who returned this year after quitting This Morning. She hosts alongside ITV favourite Stephen Mulhern, drafted in as replacement for Philip Schofield after he quit the channel, but it is her only TV presenting role.
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Torvill and Dean said they would bow out with a UK tour next year but stressed their intention to remain on the Dancing on Ice judging panel. Insiders said the show faces a fight to continue, with cost a huge factor as many of the 12 celebrity contestants earn six-figure sums.
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Torvill and Dean said they would bow out with a UK tour next year but did intend to stay on (Jeff Spicer/WireImage)ITV also has to pay Holly and Stephen, the 12 professional skaters and four judges – who include Strictly star Oti Mabuse and fellow dance expert Ashley Banjo. It also has to maintain the ice rink at Bovingdon Airfield Studios in Hertfordshire. Insiders said that next year’s show could be billed by bosses as “one last hurrah” for Torvill and Dean.
Recent Dancing on Ice ratings will have come as a blow to Holly Willoughby (No credit)A source said: “Dancing on Ice faces an uncertain future. The ratings are low for a big weekend show and without Torvill and Dean putting in their performances this could be the end of the road. It is an incredibly expensive show to make. It only works if it gets a big audience.”
A show spokesman said yesterday: “Dancing on Ice remains a popular format for us, having launched with 4.2 million viewers.”