Dancing On Ice fans were left furious as they slammed an ‘unfair’ rule change during Sunday’s show.

The glitzy ITV show returned to screens for its second episode, with five more celebrities taking to the rink with their skating partners for the first time, after the first six made their debut last week.

While it had been confirmed that one couple would eliminated from the competition at the end of the show, viewers were upset to learn that there wouldn’t be a skate-off.

In series past, following a public vote, the two couples with the least number of votes would go head-to-head in the skate-off, with the judges choosing which pair would be sent home.

However, hosts Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern instead confirmed that there would be no skate-off this week, and the pair with the least votes would immediately be sent home.

It was a move branded ‘unfair’ with some viewers stating that some couples deserve the chance to prove themselves with another performance.

Dancing On Ice fans were left furious as they slammed an 'unfair' rule change that was revealed by hosts Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern during Sunday's show
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Dancing On Ice fans were left furious as they slammed an ‘unfair’ rule change that was revealed by hosts Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern during Sunday’s show

While it had confirmed that one couple would eliminated from the competition at the end of the show, some viewers were upset to learn that there wouldn't be a skate-off
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While it had confirmed that one couple would eliminated from the competition at the end of the show, some viewers were upset to learn that there wouldn’t be a skate-off

Posts on X included: ‘I do think the other skating couple should be given an extra week to skate , not really fair on them being voted out so quickly when it was their first week skating;’

‘How can there not be a skate off? What if more people voted last week or this week? Surely that would me potentially someone would unfairly have less votes?’

‘I still don’t get why there’s no Skate off till Week 5.’

Last Sunday the celebrities ended up really impressing the judges with their skating moves.

Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean awarded Michaela and her partner Mark Hanretty an incredible 30.5.

Coronation Street’s Sam shortly followed behind her with 27, while Ferne was given 26.5.

It was a move branded 'unfair' with some viewers stating that some couples deserve the chance to prove themselves with another performance

It was a move branded ‘unfair’ with some viewers stating that some couples deserve the chance to prove themselves with another performance

Chelsee landed at the bottom of the leaderboard with 22 points.

Earlier this week viewers the show faced viewer backlash after it’s launch episode on Sunday.

Fans claimed that the ending was too ‘abrupt’ due to the new format change.

After half of the celebrities took to the ice for the first time, with the other half due to perform next week, Torvill and Dean closed out the ITV show’s launch episode with a classic performance to Let The Good Times Roll.

The credits quickly followed with no results, after Stephen and Holly dropped the bombshell earlier in the show that there will be no Skate Off for the first two weeks of the show.

DANCING ON ICE 2025: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

FERNE MCCANN 

AGE: 34

PROFESSION: Reality TV star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited, it’s going to be a huge challenge but I’m excited for the glitz and glamour of the show.’

SIR STEVE REDRGAVE


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AGE: 62

PROFESSION: Former Olympic rower

WHAT DID THEY SAY? ‘It’s like going back to being an athlete again, I’ve been competing most of my life.’

CHARLIE BROOKS 


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AGE: 43

PROFESSION: Soap star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve skated when I was a kid and with mulled wine at Christmas. Until I get on the ice I have no idea how I’m going to be. I’m not that strong.’

 ANTON FERDINAND

 AGE: 39

PROFESSION: Footballer and pundit

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: Dancing On Ice will give me that focus but I’m also doing it for my daughter because she loves dance and performing arts.’

 CHRIS TAYLOR

Age: 34

PROFESSION: Reality star

 WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m somewhere between absolutely terrified and very excited and I keep flitting between the two quite aggressively throughout the day. I’ve not even started stretching yet, I need to.’

CHELSEE HEALEY

 AGE: 36

PROFESSION: Actress

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m ready, I’m good to go, let’s go! I’ve got a bit of rhythm but skating on ice is completely different, I’m excited.

MOLLIE PEARCE 

 AGE: 22

PROFESSION: Reality TV star and model

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘It will be fun, I want to challenge myself, I’m ready for the challenge.’

SAM ASTON 


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AGE: 31

PROFESSION: Soap star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘Anyone at work who I’ve spoken to has done it have all kind of the same thing that it is a great experience and it is really hard, and it’s tiring and tough but it is brilliant as well.’

JOSH JONES

AGE: 31

PROFESSION: Comedian

WHAT DID THEY SAY? ‘I’ve not got any skating experience whatsoever, I did it once for a date years ago and I wasn’t very good, I was holding onto the railings the entire time and we aren’t together now.’

 MICHAELA STRACHAN 

 AGE: 58

PROFESSION: Television presenter

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘It’s going to be a big challenge, I think the last time I was on ice was 14 years ago, because I trained as a dancer, I’ve got a bit of balance, but I have no idea whether I’m going to be good.’

 

DAN EDGAR 

AGE: 34

PROFESSION: TOWIE star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m looking forward to it but the thought of the live shows and performing is very real.’

 

DAME SARAH STOREY 

AGE: 46

PROFESSION: Paralympian 

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m excited to learn a new skill and have the opportunity to put myself out there and learn a new sport.’