Dancing On Ice to take week-long break after ITV show hit by Covid and injuries

Dancing On Ice 2021
PA
Daniel O'Mahony15 February 2021

There will be no live Dancing On Ice show this Sunday after bosses on ITV ordered a week-long break following a string of off-screen mishaps.

The broadcaster said “we felt it prudent to take a week’s break at this juncture” but added the programme will return the following Sunday.

It comes days after Emmerdale actor Joe-Warren Plant and his professional skating partner Vanessa Bauer were forced to pull out of the competition after testing positive for Covid-19.

In a statement, ITV said: “Each week our production team and cast have delivered a fantastic show during incredibly challenging times. The welfare of all of those involved is important to us and we felt it prudent to take a week’s break at this juncture.

“Continuing to make the best TV for our viewers is of paramount importance to us and we look forward to resuming the competition next week, with the show back live on Sunday February 28.”

Sunday’s Dancing On Ice live show will be replaced by special Dancing On Ice: The Greatest Show On Ice, which will be shown on ITV at 6pm.

The one-off programme will celebrate the most memorable moments in the show’s history, ITV said.

Last week Plant and Bauer became the fourth dancing pair to withdraw from the competition, which had already been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Comedian Rufus Hound also bowed out after testing positive for the virus, while reality TV star Billie Shepherd left the show early after injuring herself in a fall.

Actress and singer Denise Van Outen also withdrew after she partially dislocated her shoulder during training.

Celebrities remaining on the show include radio DJ Sonny Jay, former athlete Colin Jackson and media personality Rebekah Vardy.

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