The sixteenth series of Dancing on Ice is set to begin airing on ITV on 14 January 2024.^[1] During the finale of the fifteenth series, it was announced that Dancing on Ice had been renewed for another series. The series will once again be filmed in the purpose-built studio at Bovingdon Airfield, which was set up for the tenth series.^[2][3]

In May 2023, Phillip Schofield who had presented the show since its inception, resigned from ITV after admitting to having had a relationship with a young male ITV employee, ultimately confirming his departure from both This Morning and Dancing on Ice.^[4][5][6] Stephen Mulhern, who previously stood in for Schofield as presenter during the fourteenth series, was announced as his replacement and will co-host alongside Holly Willoughby.^[7][8] Ashley Banjo, Christopher Dean, Oti Mabuse, and Jayne Torvill will all return to the judging panel.^[9]

Professional skaters

On 21 October 2023, Matt Evers, who was the show's longest serving professional having been with Dancing on Ice since its inception, announced his departure after seventeen years.^[10] Speaking of his exit, Evers said that it was "time to hang up the skates for now" and that he "had loved every minute of it". A spokesperson for the show accredited Evers for being a "huge part of the show [...] and for creating some of the show's iconic moments.^[11] Two days later, ITV officially announced the line-up of professional skaters for the sixteenth series, confirming the returns of Mark Hanretty, Sylvain Longchambon, Vanessa Bauer, Brendyn Hatfield, Tippy Packard and Colin Grafton, and ultimately the departures of professional couple Alexandra Schauman and Łukasz Różycki; who left to take part in the skating theatre show Christmas on Ice in Tampa, Florida.^[12] Schauman said in statement that she and Różycki, who had been professionals on the show since the fifth and sixth series resepectively; had absolutely "loved being part of the show for so long" however noted that it had "taken a very different angle and that [they] struggled to agree with a lot of it", adding that they felt there was "no opportunity to grow on the show or take on different roles".^[13] Reigning champion Olivia Smart also left the show after one series, having returned to competitive skating, as well as Klabera Komini.^[14]

They were replaced by two-time British national champion Amani Fancy and German and Czech national champion Annette Dytrt, both of whom previously appeared as professionals on the German version of the show, six-time French national champion Vanessa James, who also represented Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics and Armenian national champion Simon Proulx-Sénécal, as well as Andy Buchanan and Robin Johnstone who again returned as professionals after a series break. Vicky Ogden also returned as a replacement partner for Eddie the Eagle.^[15]

Couples

On 26 September 2023, Ricky Hatton was announced as the first celebrity to be participating in the series.^[16] More celebrities continued to be revealed throughout the week before the line-up was concluded on 6 October.^[17] Gogglebox cast member Stephen Lustig-Webb was initially announced to be competing in the series, however it was announced on 21 October that he had been forced to withdraw from the competition after breaking his ankle.^[18] Eddie the Eagle was announced as his replacement on 25 October and was initially partnered with Tippy Packard, however prior to the beginning of the series she was replaced by Vicky Ogden for unexplained reasons.^[19][20]

Scoring chart

The highest score each week is indicated in bold green with a dagger (†), while the lowest score each week is indicated in italicized red with a double-dagger (‡).

Colour key

Weekly scores

References

External links

• Official website