RECAP: Dancing On Ice 2025 - Celebrity skating contest returns to ITV and bosses make major change

Thank you for tuning into MailOnline's live blog of the Dancing On Ice 2025 launch!

We saw some incredible performances from the first six celebrities and there is plenty more action to come next week.

Keep the conversation going in the comments section or using the #DancingOnIce hashtag on X.

The show returns next Sunday at 6:30pm on ITV One - bye for now!

Rio Ferdinand and his wife Kate proudly supported his brother Anton as he took to the rink for his debut on Dancing On Ice on Sunday.

The former West Ham United star, 39, performed his first skate alongside his professional partner Annette Dytrt to Maneskin's cover of Beggin, earning a solid score of 26 points out of 40.

Rio and Kate were seen watching Anton's skate from the audience, and later told hosts Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby they were full of pride for him.

The couple also confessed they were 'very nervous' to watch Anton's first skate, having seen clips of him learning the performance during training.

• Read the full article by Laura Fox here

Using the Dancing On Ice hashtag, viewers at home have already shared their thoughts on the opening performances...

Dancing On Ice paid tribute to former contestant The Vivienne on Sunday's launch show after their tragic death last week.

The RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner, who came third when they competed on the ITV skating show in 2023, died suddenly on January 5 at the age of 32.

Presenters Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern opened Sunday's Dancing On Ice with a tribute to The Vivienne, whose real name was James Williams - but viewers were less than impressed.

Speaking to the camera, Holly said: 'Before we move on, like us, many of you have been saddened by the tragedy of The Vivienne’s passing last weekend.

'Now, they were a huge part of the show, making it all the way to the final in 2023 and they’ll be very sorely missed. Our thoughts are with The Vivienne’s loved ones at this sad time. So sad.'

Viewers slammed the tribute as 'fake' and claimed the message had 'no care or feeling' as they criticised the show for not showing any of The Vivienne's dances.

• Read the full story by Hannah McDonald here

That's a wrap for the launch show of Dancing Of Ice 2025! The competition will be back next Sunday at 6:30pm again on ITV One.

Let us know in the comments who was your favourite performer of the night!

The vote has been closed - and this week no celebrity will be leaving the show so result was revealed.

Instead, the lowest scoring celeb will go up against the lowest scoring person next week in a shock elimination without a skate off.

After 50 years on ice, they have amassed four World Championship wins, an Olympic gold and millions of loyal viewers.

Torvill and Dean shocked fans by announcing their two dances on this season of Dancing On Ice would be their last.

While they will continue judging, they're hanging up their skates when it comes to performing.

And tonight, to close the show, the iconic duo took the rink for their penultimate dance.

Rio and Kate Ferdinand were amongst the celebrity faces in the audience as they cheered on Anton, who is fourth on the leaderboard after tonight's dances.

Michaela and Mark - 30.5

Sam and Molly - 27

Ferne and Brendyn - 26.5

Anton and Annette - 26

Chris and Vanessa - 24

Chelsee and Andy - 22

The vote is OPEN!

You can vote up to five times for free - but it's only open for ten minutes so you haven't got long.

Here is the link to have your say: https://www.itv.com/vote/dancingonice

Love Island star Chris Taylor bagged 6's all around from the judges as he took to the ice for the first time with his pro partner Vanessa Bauer.

Ashley admitted he thinks Chris 'has it all there' but 'got in his head' due to the nerves of the first live show.

SCORES

Ashley - 6

Chris - 6

Oti - 6

Jane - 6

Total: 24

Tonight was the first time Stephen Mulhern returned to TV since his health scare while mourning the death of his father.

The presenter, 47, was rushed to hospital in November after falling ill over a meal, weeks after the death of his father Christopher.

While Stephen did appear on screens as the host of Deal or No Deal, and ITV's revival of You Bet! over the Christmas period, these shows were pre-recorded before his health scare.

• Read the full story by Laura Fox here

Let us know in the comments section!

Last year's Dancing On Ice winner Ryan Thomas returned to the show with some advice for the 2025 cohort.

He said: 'I'm so priveleged and honoured to be brought back as a champion and soon everyone will forget about me and there will be a new champion!

'I've got the record for most falls in a live performance, I fell twice and I still won so anything is possible. The fact they're getting on this ice and doing it live, they're all winners tonight. It's so difficult.'

Wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan put on a showstopping performance with her pro partner Mark Hanretty and bagged the highest score of the evening so far.

She earned a sensational 30.5 out of 40 for her 'brilliant performance of the night'.

Jane had high praise as she said: 'That routine had everything. I loved the unison you have together - perfect.'

'Well done, you have set the bar! I love it,' added Ashley.

SCORES

Ashley 7.5

Oti 8

Jane 7.5

Chris 7.5

Total: 30.5

Anton Ferdinand has been labelled as 'one to watch' by judge Jane as he earned 6.5's across the board for his incredible lifts.

Jane said: 'Seeing where you started and what you can do now is amazing.'

The panel were impressed with his strength as he lifted pro partner Anette with 'no wobbles at all'.

SCORES

Ashley - 6.5

Oti - 6.5

Jane - 6.5

Chris - 6.5

Total: 26

Hollyoaks star Chelsee Healey put on a 'crowd-pleasing' performance with pro partner Andy Buchanan to Beyoncé's Crazy In Love.

Following her performance, she admitted: 'I don't think I've ever been so nervous in my life.'

The judges said in their feedback that they wanted to see 'more skating' from the soap icon.

Oti said: 'I thought you came out like a little pocket rocket. The only thing I found worrying was your core strength,' as she noticed the star had a few 'wobbles'.

SCORES

Ashley - 5.5

Jane - 5

Oti - 6

Chris 5.5

Total: 22

Dame Sarah Storey pulled out of Dancing On Ice following a fractured ankle injury in rehearsals.

The Paralympic grand champion, 47, previously said she was 'gutted' she has had to leave the competition just a month before the 2025 show launch.

Sarah, who was due to compete on the ice with her professional skating partner Sylvain Longchambon, revealed she is now in recovery after an operation.

Appearing on tonight's show with a cast on, she said she was 'gutted' and hinted that she may take part next year instead.

She revealed her 'ankle took the brunt of the fall' and she now has 11 screws after surgery.

Ferne McCann was second to perform with her pro partner Brendyn Hatfield, as they took to the ice with a 'breathtaking' dance to Somewhere Only We Know.

She fought back tears as she revealed her daughter Sunday is in the crowd tonight.

The reality star admitted: 'I was trying not to look at her because it was making me well up even more'.

Speaking of her debut performance, judge Chris said: 'The choreography for this really showcased your abilities. It was magical, it was lush.'

SCORES

Ashley - 6.5

Oti - 7

Jane - 6.5

Chris - 6.5

Total: 26.5

Stephen and Holly dropped the bombshell that there will be no Skate Off for the first two weeks of the show

Six of the couples will perform this week and the other half will take to the rink next week.

After everyone has performed, the couple with the fewest votes and lowest scores will be out straight away with no chance to skate off.

Coronation Street star Sam Aston brought the fun in the first performance of the series with his professional partner Molly Beth Lanaghan.

Donning colourful neon outfits pair danced on the ice to That's Not My Name by The Ting Tings.

And the funky choice paid off as the judges had very high praise.

Paul gushed: 'Sam what a great first performance. I loved the smoothness of the skating, you're into the ice. Some of the best back crossovers I've seen for the first show.'

SCORES

Ashley - 6.5

Oti - 6.5

Jane - 7

Chris - 7

Total: 27

Hosts Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern have opened the show by introducing the glamorous judges.

Holly looks sensational in a glittering blue gown with silver detailing in her first Dancing On Ice outfit of the series.

The launch show has kicked off and the eleven celebrities have taken to the rink together for the first time for a group introduction performance!

Let us know who you're most excited to see in the comments section.

Ferne McCann posed for a racy Dancing On Ice shoot on Tuesday as she prepares to take to the rink.

The ITV skating show returns to British screens on Sunday with Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern at the helm, and fans were treated to promo shots of the celebrities and professional partners.

Former TOWIE star Ferne, 34, showed off her incredible figure in a plunging pale blue halterneck mini dress.

She posed up a storm alongside her pro skating partner Brendyn Hatfield, who wore a shimmering silver shirt and navy trousers.

The sexy shoot comes days after Ferne got candid about her relationship with fiancé Lorri Haines, as she admitted that the couple are 'not constantly upbeat and positive'.

The influencer and her partner, 33, share daughter Finty, 16 months, while Ferne is also mother to daughter Sunday, six, from a previous relationship and Lorri also has a son with a former partner.

• Read the full story by Codie Bullen here

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have revealed their second Dancing On Ice performance during the 2025 series will be their last ever on TV together, as they prepare for retirement.

The duo, known as Torvill and Dean, rose to fame when they won gold at the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics with their iconic skate to Maurice Ravel's Boléro - which is replicated each year by the Dancing On Ice finalists.

The skating stars delight Dancing On Ice viewers each year as they themselves take to the ice - but they have now confirmed that will no longer be a feature on the ITV show.

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, the pair explained: 'This is our last year, so it's a big one.

'We are going to do two performances during the series but the second will be our last ever on television.'

• Read the full exclusive interview by Codie Bullen here

Dancing On Ice star Chelsee Healey has revealed she was rushed to medics after a 'scary fall' that resulted in her fainting on the ice.

The actress, 36, was left unconscious during a training session with her pro skating partner Andy Buchanan, who had to drag her off ice the ice.

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline ahead of Sunday's launch show, Chelsee explained: 'It is intense, and you use body parts that I didn't even know I had, like I fell on me, coccyx.

'That taught me a lesson because I fell on my coccyx, and I got up and went all dizzy, and fainted. So that was actually really scary.

'Andy picked me up and dragged me off the ice. I was all dizzy, and then I just went. But we got through that.'

• Read Codie Bullen's exclusive story here

Sir Steve Redgrave says he 'hated' training for the Olympics and has become 'very unfit' as he get's ready to perform on Dancing On Ice.

As the record holder for the most titled rower in history, he told the Mail: 'I have loved being back into a routine.

'One of the things I hated in the sport that I did, is that you were always doing the same things day in and day out.

'And then when I stopped competing 25 years ago, and now being back into that, I've enjoyed it.

'I trained because I liked winning and being successful. And the more I trained the more races I won.'

• Read Molly Clayton's exclusive interview here

Dancing On Ice will pay a poignant tribute to former contestant The Vivienne on Sunday's launch show.

The gesture comes after it was revealed that the Drag Race star - who took part in the BBC programme in 2023 - had died aged 32 on January 5 2025.

Dancing On Ice will be back on our screens for its 17th series this week and the competition series will pay its respects to The Vivienne, according to The Sun.

A show insider told the publication: 'The Vivienne was a trailblazer and was the first Drag artist to appear on Dancing On Ice.

'ITV wants to pay their respects to them and will put out a tribute on Sunday night’s show. The team working on the show loved Viv and wanted to do something to honour them.'

• Read the full story by Lucy Murgatroyd and Laura Parkin here

Coronation Street's Sam Aston is the most likely contestant to win ITV's Dancing on Ice, according to new data analysis.

The series, which is in its 17th year, is back on screens on Sunday January 12 at 6.45pm.

Sam joins the likes of TOWIE's Fearne McCann, The Traitors star Mollie Pearce and Chelsee Heeley in forming the line up.

Ahead of the first episode, odds experts at Slotozilla have analysed data from the show's previous winners to reveal what makes a winning contestant.

The research which uses 15 years worth of data analysed a range of factors including the contestant's profession, hometown, age, gender and more.

• Read the full story by Amelia Wynne here

Dancing On Ice has changed the structure of the show in a huge shake up designed 'to avoid upsetting the celebs'.

ITV bosses are said to have changed the dance-off as the stars will no longer have to skate a new performance if they find themselves in the bottom two, according to The Sun.

Usually, the celebrities not only had to learn a routine for their weekly performance but would also have to put together a dance for if they found themselves voted into the bottom two.

Now it is believed that the stars will simply have to just reperform what they put forward for the main competition.

• Read the full story by Chloe Louise here

Let's meet the celebrities and their partners ahead of tonight's launch.

• Ferne McCann

Age: 34

Profession: Reality TV star

Partner: Brendyn Hatfield

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 Redgrave

Age: 62

Profession: Former Olympic rower

Partner: Vicky Ogden

What did they say? 'It's like going back to being an athlete again, I've been competing most of my life.'

• Charlie Brooks

Age: 43

Profession: Soap star

Partner: Eric Radford

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

Partner: Anette Dytrt

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

Partner: Vanessa Bauer

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

Partner: Andy Buchanan

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

Partner: Colin Grafton

What did they say?: 'It will be fun, I want to challenge myself, I'm ready for the challenge.'

• Sam Aston

Age: 31

Profession: Soap star

Partner: Molly Beth Lanaghan

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

Partner: Tippy Packard

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

Partner: Mark Hanretty

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

Partner: Vanessa James

What did they say?: 'I'm looking forward to it but the thought of the live shows and performing is very real.'

Hello and welcome to MailOnline's live coverage of Dancing on Ice 2025 which launches on ITV tonight.

Presenters Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern are returning to the rink as this year's cast of celebrities lace up their skates to show off their moves on the ice.

Join us as we guide you through tonight's launch show with live updates, reaction plus the most striking pictures and videos from the episode.

Let us know your first impressions on our celebrity skaters in our comments section.

The show starts on ITV at 6.30pm.

Enjoy!

Dancing On Ice 2025 is officially underway!

The launch episode has kicked off and we've been introduced once again to the 11 hopeful celebs who will be gracing the ice shortly.

Let us know who you're most excited to see take to the rink in the comments section.