Dancing On Ice has eliminated the fourth celebrity in the first dreaded skate-off of 2025 – and fans have called the departure ‘criminal.’

Former footballer Anton Ferdinand, 39, and Love Island star Chris Taylor, 34, went head to head as they tried to impress judges Oti Mabuse, Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo and Jayne Torvill.

All four judges unanimously decided to save Anton and Annette Dytrt, sending Chris and partner Robin Johnstone home.

After Chris’s exit was revealed host Holly Willoughby said: ‘You’ve been brilliant, and I feel like you’ve loved this even though this partnership hasn’t been long, it’s been enjoyable.’

Chris agreed it was a ‘brief encounter’ but jokingly quipped that he is ‘used to that.’

On X, many fans shared their devastation over the reality TV star’s departure including @storey_carolyn who wrote: ‘Absolutely the wrong decision tonight. Chris and Robin 100% deserve to be there next week. His skating is a much higher quality and cleaner. Under marked and under appreciated #dancingonice.’

It wasn’t Chris’s night after the intense skate-off (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)
Echoing their sentiment, @julzzzzb raged: ‘#dancingonice Chris should not have gone tonight. He’s one of the best skaters.’

@Imogen_Alanah said: ‘I don’t even really watch this show but Chris leaving is criminal tbh #dancingonice.’

@slinehan1 added: ‘Super disappointed to see Chris go. For me he skated better than Anton and Chris is the most improved skater since the start of the competition. He had my votes and he shouldn’t have gone imo. A few bad vote offs in a row now, might not bother watching anymore. #DancingOnIce.’

Dancing On Ice was kicked off with Anton’s routine which featured dramatic lifts, dips and twirls with his partner Annette Dytrt to Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin.

Love Island star Chris became the fourth celebrity to be eliminated (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)

He went head to head with Anton in the dreaded skate-off (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)
He was followed by Chris, who impressed with his graceful performance to Golden Hour by JVKE, which saw him pick up a score of 32.

His first skating partner, Vanessa Bauer, was forced to withdraw from the series after tearing ligaments in ‘an accident’ backstage meaning Chris, 34, has been partnered with Robin.

Next up was Traitors star Mollie Pearce, 23, who embraced her inner cheerleader as she skated to Hot To Go! by US pop star Chappell Roan, scoring 29.5.

Countryfile presenter Michaela Strachan, 58, then secured 35.5 points for her graceful Dancing On Ice routine with her partner Mark Hanretty, including a rotating stag and a back arabesque layout, to Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol.

Michaela impressed the judges on Dancing On Ice (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)

Charle beat her personal best score on Dancing On Ice (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)
Next up was EastEnders star Charlie Brooks, 43, who picked up a score of 32 – her highest on Dancing On Ice so far – after having to swap partners last minute due to injury.

Her professional skating partner Eric Radford had to skip Sunday’s show after sustaining an injury in rehearsals, with Brendyn Hatfield stepping in to take over.

The Only Way Is Essex star Dan Edgar then landed the highest score of the series of Dancing On Ice after taking on the dangerous head-banger move with his skating partner Vanessa James.

The TV star also performed lifts and a cartwheel launch during the routine to Lionheart (Fearless) by Joel Corry and Tom Grennan, which secured them 38 out of 40.

Dan has bagged the highest score on Dancing On Ice this year (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)
Concluding the main performances was Coronation Street star Sam Aston, who secured a score of 33 for his routine to Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ Die With A Smile with Molly Lanaghan.

Ashley described his skating as ‘top tier’ but said the performance needed more passion

Last week, Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave, 62, became the third celebrity to be eliminated from Dancing On Ice after Chelsee Healey and Ferne McCann.

Dancing On Ice continues at 6.30pm on Sunday on ITV and ITX.