ITV bosses are reportedly set to finally pull the plug on Dancing on Ice after 20 years on screens, with the final next week potentially being the last ever episode
Fans are being urged to savour the upcoming Dancing on Ice final, as it could potentially be the last episode of the show. Iconic judges Torvill and Dean have already bid farewell to their skates following an emotional live performance on the ITV programme last month.
According to sources within the channel, the Sunday night series, hosted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern, is likely to be axed next year due to plummeting ratings.
The show has seen a significant decline from its peak when it attracted 12 million viewers. Last year, it recorded its lowest ever live audience with only 2.9 million tuning in for one episode, a decrease of 700,000 from the 3.6 million who watched the season premiere just weeks before.
This year, the launch episode managed to draw in only 2.9 million viewers, and by the fifth episode, another half a million had switched off, leaving a mere 2.4 million.
This indicates that over the past two years, Dancing on Ice has lost more than a million viewers. The 2023 launch was viewed by 4.1 million, but this series never surpassed the 3 million mark, according to official overnight ratings from BARB, reports the Mirror.
There’s buzz from channel insiders over the future of Dancing on Ice, suggesting that falling ratings might spell the end of the series. The show, which has charmed audiences for nearly two decades, may face the axe due to the costs vs. audience numbers not adding up.
A source shared: “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.”
The concerns arise even as significant payouts go to the dozen celebrity competitors, along with substantial fees for hosts Holly and Stephen, twelve professional skaters, and a judging panel featuring ice-skating icons Torvill and Dean, Strictly’s Oti Mabuse, and dance connoisseur Ashley Banjo. Additionally, there are overheads such as maintaining the Bovingdon Airfield studio rink in Hertfordshire.
Addressing the speculation, an ITV spokeswoman said: “The Dancing on Ice team is fully concentrating on the much anticipated series finale this coming Sunday and therefore no decision has been made.”
She emphasised that the series still pulls in an audience, with an average of 3 million viewers in the current run, when accounting for catch-up TV, partly bolstered by 3.6 million streams on ITVX.
As the Dancing On Ice finale approaches, Michaela Strachan, partnered with Mark Hanretty, emerges as a strong contender for the top spot. Odds by bookmakers are in her favour at evens, setting her up to potentially become the first female champion since Beth Tweddle’s victory in 2013.
The BBC wildlife presenter is the sole remaining woman in the contest, facing off against Coronation Street’s Sam Aston, TOWIE personality Dan Edgar, and ex-footballer Anton Ferdinand.
In other news, ice skating legends Torvill and Dean have bid farewell to live performances, having concluded their final tour. Despite announcing their departure from performing a year ago, they maintained: “We have no plans to step back from Dancing On Ice and hope that the series continues for years to come.”
The celebrated show originally aired in 2006, but after nine seasons concluded in 2014 when Torvill and Dean desired to exit at what they considered a peak moment, marking the 30th anniversary of their Bolero triumph.
“I think there comes a time when you know we’re not spring chickens any more,” Christopher had noted. “We’re still able to do it, to a certain degree we feel good about it, but that will go.”
Since its revival four years later, the programme saw Torvill and Dean transition from mentoring contestants to becoming judges, a position they have occupied since. While the future of Dancing On Ice beyond 2026 remains uncertain, presenters Stephen and Holly have other projects lined up.
They are slated to work on additional episodes of the rejuvenated game show ‘You Bet’ later this year.