Dancing On Ice will NOT air this weekend as with cast given a week off ‘to recharge and rest up’
Dancing On Ice will not air this weekend as show takes week off to allow the cast and crew ‘to rest up’… after four stars dropped out and Jason Donovan injured his back
- Jason Donovan, 52, withdrew from Sunday’s instalment of the competition and was advised to rest after suffering from back pain, but will return next week
- On Friday it was revealed Joe-Warren Plant and his skating partner Vanessa Bauer had to leave the show after they both tested positive for coronavirus
- Joe’s exit was the latest in a string of blows, after Billie Faiers, Denise Van Outen and Rufus Hound were all forced to bow out of this year’s competition
- So many celebrities have been forced to drop out of Dancing On Ice that for the first time in its history, the show has run out of reserves
- In place of this weekend’s live show, a special entitled Dancing On Ice: The Greatest Show On Ice will be shown on ITV at 6pm on Sunday 21 February
- Dancing On Ice will be back, live on Sunday 28th February
Dancing On Ice will not air this weekend.
The popular skating show has taken a week off to allow the cast and crew to ‘recharge and rest up’ after four stars dropped out and Jason Donovan, 52, injured his back.
In a statement from an ITV spokesperson, it was revealed that show bosses felt it ‘prudent to take a week’s break at this juncture’ to protect ‘the welfare of all of those involved.’
Oh no! Dancing On Ice will not air this weekend as show bosses have decided to take a week off to allow the cast and crew ‘to rest up’
An ITV spokesperson said: ‘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.
He’ll be back: Jason Donovan, 52, withdrew from Sunday’s instalment of the competition and was advised to rest after suffering from back pain, but will return next week
Something different: In place of Dancing On Ice this weekend a special entitled Dancing On Ice: The Greatest Show On Ice will be shown on ITV at 6pm on Sunday
‘In place of Dancing On Ice this weekend a special entitled Dancing On Ice: The Greatest Show On Ice will be shown on ITV at 6pm on Sunday. This one-off show will celebrate the most memorable moments in the show’s history.
‘Dancing On Ice will be back, live on Sunday 28th February.’
MailOnline has contacted ITV for further comment.
In addition to the official announcement, a source told The Sun: ‘Everyone’s just been working really hard to put on a brilliant series.
‘The production team has been amazing working around new protocols and working around the pandemic which is ever-evolving with new variants and such.
Time out: Former Neighbours star Jason missed Sunday, and said in a statement: ‘I’ve had back pain the past couple of days and I’m under doctor’s orders to take it easy and sit this week out’
Covid-19: On Friday it was revealed Joe-Warren Plant and his skating partner Vanessa Bauer had to leave the show after they both tested positive for coronavirus
Injured: Reality star Billie Shepherd withdrew from the show after suffering a concussion following a fall during training
‘This break will just allow the cast and crew the time to take a breath. Everyone gives it their all and just wants the show to be amazing for viewers at home so a week to recharge and rest up before coming back will be great.’
MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.
The decision comes after Dancing On Ice bosses were said to be ‘panicking’ about the show’s future amid four celebrities withdrawing from the show in recent weeks and Jason Donovan’s recent injury.
The former Neighbours star Jason said in a statement: ‘I’ve had back pain the past couple of days and I’m under doctor’s orders to take it easy and sit this week out.
‘I’m resting up, I’ll be watching from home and cheering everyone on and I look forward to returning next week.’
Covid-19: Rufus Hound, 41, was previously axed from the competition after he tested positive for coronavirus
On Sunday, a source told The Sun: ‘It’s already a stretch making a two-hour episode of a TV show in a pandemic with a full cast.
‘But if any more pull out they will struggle to fill the slot. They’re already panicking about numbers because the celebrities are dropping like flies.
‘If Jason pulls out for good and there’s another injury, they could be forced off air.’
On Friday it was revealed Joe-Warren Plant and his skating partner Vanessa Bauer had to leave the show after they both tested positive for coronavirus.
Injured: Denise was forced to drop out after she dislocated her shoulder
Rufus Hound, 41, was previously axed from the competition after he tested positive for coronavirus.
Denise Van Outen, 46, and Billie Faiers, 31, both dropped out of the show after hurting themselves on the ice.
Denise dislocated her shoulder, while Billie suffered a concussion after falling on her head in training.
So many celebrities have been forced to drop out of Dancing On Ice that for the first time in its history, the show has run out of reserves.
