Holly Willoughby sparks ITV Dancing on Ice row as fans distracted by outfit: ‘Bit much for family show!’
Holly Willoughby found herself at the centre of a debate among ITV Dancing on Ice fans just minutes into Sunday’s show.
Kicking off Week Three, otherwise known as Movie Week, Willoughby and co-host Stephen Mulhern channeled their inner Elphaba and Glinda from box office smash Wicked.
The musical has seen a resurgence in popularity over the past few months after Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo led the three-hour remake that hit cinemas back in November.
The DOI makeup team clearly had their hands full when it came to transforming the hosts and the remaining contestants on Sunday night, none least due to the fact Mulhern emerged head to toe in green body paint.
He completed his Elphaba look with a witch’s hat and glitzy black suit and cape, while Willoughby’s ensemble was complete without the use of any colourant.
Instead, Willoughby channeled her inner Glinda with a bright-pink flowing ball gown combined with a sparkling tiara and glitter-covered wand.
While Mulhern joked he looked less like Elphaba and more like “the Hulk’s little sister”, viewers at home were more concerned with sharing their thoughts on Willoughby’s outfit choice.
It’s safe to say it was a decision that sparked quite the difference of opinions among the skating competition’s fandom, with some branding the 43-year-old “incredible” while others claimed it wasn’t suitable for a “family show”.
Fans took to X to express their thoughts, with one left lost for words: “Pink to make the boys (wink), well, this boy is speechless quite frankly! #HollyWilloughby #DancingOnIce.”
“Ok.. Holly Willoughby as Glinda is incredible, and simply perfection. #DancingonIce,” a second praised before a third weighed in: “Holly as Glinda and Stephen as Elphaba pure magic #dancingonice.”
However, others weren’t so sure, as a fourth commented: “Holly’s dress is a bit much for a family show #DancingOnIce.”
And a fifth was unconvinced: “Holly Willoughby being Glinda is ……… what’s the word I’m looking for… #DancingOnIce.” (sic)
Before Willoughby and Mulhern could welcome the first contestant to the ice on Sunday, they had to share some sad news with fans.
Earlier in the day, it was confirmed that comedian Josh Jones had been forced to withdraw from the competition due to injury.
The show announced the news on social media with a statement that read: “Josh Jones sustained an injury during rehearsals and has had to withdraw from Dancing on Ice.
“Josh and Tippy’s [Packard] partnership will be greatly missed. We will be helping to support Josh and wish him well with his recovery.”
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Jones joined Willoughby and Mulhern on the show to confirm he’d rolled his ankle during rehearsals, meaning he had to leave the show.
Elsewhere, before this week’s Dancing on Ice, Willoughby hit headlines after bravely opening up on her ordeal being targeted by Gavin Plumb.
The former security guard was jailed for life last year after devising a plan to kidnap, rape and murder the former This Morning presenter.
Willoughby waived her right to anonymity during the trial and branded the past year dealing with the ordeal as “tough”.
She also addressed her exit from ITV daytime show This Morning amidst the horrific incident, explaining why she found quitting the programme “easy”.