Dancing On Ice bosses in desperate battle to keep show on air as team consider bringing back old stars
FORMER Dancing on Ice winners may be brought back, in a desperate bid to save the show.
Bosses are worried how they will fill two hours of prime time TV.
The ITV series has been hit by injuries and Covid cases with this Sunday’s episode cancelled.
On Valentine’s Day the show had less than 20 minutes of live skating.
An insider said: “The production team are in overdrive and all sorts of ideas have been thrown around. The worst-case scenario was pulling the show but they know they can’t allow that.
“Options included bringing back former champs and their partners to perform one-off routines.
“The team also mooted the idea of having more pro routines which could help fill time and would be visually impressive.
“Meetings have been taking place all week and the team have been told all ideas are welcome.”
Past winners include Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle, 35, in 2013 and last year’s champion, actor Joe Swash, 39.
Emmerdale’s Joe-Warren Plant, 18, and his pro partner Vanessa Bauer, 24, were dropped after positive Covid tests. But they will be allowed back as they missed only a week.
Rufus Hound, 41, who also had Covid, Billie Shepherd, 31, and Denise van Outen, 46, who were both injured, all had at least two weeks off.
Reserves Olympian Amy Tinkler, 21, and comedian Matt Richardson, 29, were called in but voted off.
Jason Donovan, 52, had to sit out last weekend’s show with a back injury.
Rapper Lady Leshurr, 32, has suffered leg pains, while Becky Vardy, 39, has a groin strain.
Faye Brookes, 33, is the favourite. Injured partner Hamish Gaman, 37, quit after a tense meeting over their planned routine.
Faye has been paired with Matt Evers, 44, who had skated with Van Outen.
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