Holly Willoughby mourns Dancing On Ice in emotional statement over ITV axe
She presented it since 2006.
Holly Willoughby has spoken out following the news Dancing on Ice has been axed after 19 years.
The former host, 44, has presented the show since its inception in 2006. She fronted it alongside Phillip Schofield until his ITV departure in 2023, when he was replaced by Stephen Mulhern.
In an emotional statement, Holly thanked the crew behind the show as she said: ‘A huge thank you to @itv, The brilliant team, Crew, Celebrities and Everyone who has been part of our Dancing on Ice family over the last 19 years.
‘Every year, just when January felt at its greyest, Dancing on Ice arrived like a burst of glittering, dazzling light, warm, joyful, and full of heart…
Phillip Schofield and Holly hosted Dancing on Ice together from 2006 until his departure from ITV in 2023 (Pictue: Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)‘It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside true national treasures Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, and to have a front-row seat to their breathtaking skating.
‘Watching them glide across the ice was nothing less than pure magic… A special thanks must also go to Arnica, Deep Heat,Spanx and fake tan, unsung heroes of the rink! …
‘I will miss it hugely, but I count myself so lucky to have had it for as long as we did. Finally and most importantly, thank you to you for watching, you’re the BEST!’
The show was previously off air from 2015 to 2017, but this time ITV announced they had no plans to revisit the show.
Yesterday an ITV Spokesperson told Metro: ‘Following another successful series earlier this year, Dancing On Ice will be rested in 2026 with no current plans for another series.
The most recent series wrapped up just weeks ago (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)‘We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the cast and crew who have worked on the show since 2006, and over the previous 17 series, for all of their hard work both on and off the ice.’
Over 200 celebrities have taken part in the show over the 245 episodes, which have required an estimated tens of thousands of sequins since it was first broadcast in 2006.
Earlier this month Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern announced Sam Aston would lift the trophy after competing against Anton Ferdinand and Michaela Strachan in the final of the most recent series.
From heights of 13million views in the first season’s finale in 2006, the recent 2025 finale only drew in 2.7 million viewers.
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