Yahoo Finance 'Dancing On Ice's' huge line-up change as three celebrities are missing and a new skater enters the contest
It’s all change in the Dancing On Ice line-up this week as three of the series’ celebrities were absent from the ice, and one new contestant made her debut.
The ITV show announced this week that Denise Van Outen was out of the competition for good because of her shoulder injury and would be replaced by Olympic gymnast Amy Tinkler, while Rufus Hound is still self-isolating and Billie Shepherd is taking the week off as her grandmother has died.
Despite no longer being a contestant, Van Outen still turned up to the live show sporting another sequinned sling and sitting alongside pro skater Matt Evers.
The support in the #DancingOnIce family. We love to see it 👏 @amytinkler2 @denise_vanouten pic.twitter.com/gO9M2ZmyJo
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) January 31, 2021
She said: “So soon (to leave), but do you know what, I’ve got a break in my shoulder so I couldn’t carry on and I’ve just loved every second of being part of this show.”
The TV presenter and performer had struggled through her ice debut after falling in training and dislocating her shoulder, but she has since found out it is broken.
Her partner Evers, who will also leave the competition, said: “From day one to a broken shoulder, but health and safety first.”
Van Outen also took on competition announcing duties, something that viewers had complained about Gemma Collins being brought in for last week.
They are replaced by Tinkler, who impressed in her first routine by showing off her gymnastic ability, and her skating partner Joe Johnson.
Tinkler said: “I’m excited, obviously really sad for Denise, but she’s been great and she’s been really supportive.”
cannot wait for Amy Tinkler to pull a Kelvin and win this being a reserve choice. #DancingOnIce #DoI
— Ariadne Griffin 🦋 (@Ariadne_Griffin) January 31, 2021
Faye has got competition with Amy 👍#DancingOnIce
— jfield03 (@jfield03) January 31, 2021
Also sitting in the studio audience this week was Shepherd’s skating partner Mark Hanretty, who said that the Towie star had experienced a devastating week with the death of her beloved grandmother, Wendy.
He said: “Billie was incredibly close to her Nanny Wendy so it’s been a tough couple of weeks, but I know that her Nan loved the show and was incredibly proud of her for doing it.”
In the show’s introduction, hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield also mentioned that comedian Hound would be out of Dancing On Ice for this week too, after missing last week’s show to self-isolate.
He had won the series’ first golden ticket to see him through to tonight’s show, so only missed an audience appearance last week, but will not be skating tonight.
Watch: Gemma Collins steals the show on Dancing On Ice
