ITV fears it’s ‘end of the road’ for huge show 19 years later
It is becoming 'difficult to justify.'
ITV is reportedly considering axing Dancing On Ice over dwindling ratings after nearly two decades on air.
The first episode of the current season drew an average of 2.9 million viewers, a disappointing drop from last year’s 3.6 million.
This has sparked fears that Dancing On Ice, which debuted in 2006 with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield as hosts, has ‘reached the end of the road.’
The declining audience has reportedly made the show’s extensive costs ‘difficult to justify’.
Among the expenses are significant presenting fees for Holly and Schofield’s replacement presenter Stephen Mulhern, as well as the twelve celebrities who compete. They are said to command six figures due to the months of rehearsals required.
A source told The Mirror: ‘There are very real fears this is the end of the road for Dancing On Ice.
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‘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.’
In response, an ITV spokesperson told Metro: ‘The Dancing On Ice team is fully concentrating on the much anticipated series finale this coming Sunday and therefore no decision has been made.’
Wildlife TV presenter Michaela Strachan is the favourite to win the 2025 season of Dancing On Ice and is competing against former footie player Anton Ferdinand and Coronation Street actor Sam Aston in the final.
Last week, The Traitors star Mollie Pearce became the sixth celebrity to be eliminated from the show, narrowly missing out on a place in the semi-finals tonight.
The ITV show’s future is reportedly unclear (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)She joined EastEnders queen Charlie Brooks in the eliminated squad after she was sent home last week in what viewers branded the ‘worst’ result yet.
Viewers were up in arms once again the week before when former Love Islander Chris Taylor was axed, despite being hailed as one of the top skaters this series.
Olympic rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave lasted just three weeks in the competition, while Towie alum Ferne McCann was second to hang up her skates.
The first elimination saw this year’s Dancing On Ice get off to a sour start – with Hollyoaks actress Chelsee Healey the first on the chopping block.
Even if Dancing On Ice gets the chop, it’s likely Holly and Stephen will be back as the presenters of the revival You Bet!.
Mollie became the sixth person to be eliminated from Dancing On Ice (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)The duo presented two specials of the game show with celebrities including Alison Hammond and Rob Beckeet but could be given a full series, according to The Sun.
You Bet! sees ordinary people take on challenges, with a star-studded panel and studio audience betting on whether they will fulfil their task.
The audience’s favourite challenger of the night wins £10,000 while the celebrity with the lowest score has to do a forfeit and perform with the cast of a major West End musical unrehearsed.
The Saturday night entertainment show originally aired from 1988 to 1997 with hosts including the late Sir Bruce Forsyth.
Dancing On Ice continues on Sunday at 6.30pm on ITV and ITVX.
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