ITV Dancing on Ice release statement on show future after facing huge ratings blow
Dancing on Ice is allegedly facing an uncertain future as ratings plummet to an all-time low of just 2.4 million viewers.
The long-running ITV skating competition has seen a dramatic decline in audience numbers, raising serious questions about whether the show will return after tonight’s finale.
Industry insiders reportedly fear the 17th series could be the last for the popular programme, according to the latest on BARB’s official overnight data.
The show has lost over a million viewers in just two years, despite the skating competition once attracting 4.1 million viewers at its peak in 2023.
This year’s launch episode drew only 2.9 million, with figures dropping further to 2.4 million by the fifth week, even when accounting for catch-up views.
Since the rumours of the show coming to its end, ITV has broken its silence as a spokesperson told Mirror Online: “The Dancing on Ice team is fully concentrating on the much anticipated series finale this coming Sunday and therefore no decision has been made.”
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Sources close to the production have expressed concerns about the show’s viability given the declining audience figures.
Judge Oti Mabuse has fuelled cancellation rumours with a nostalgic Instagram post ahead of tonight’s finale.
The dancer, who joined the judging panel in 2022, shared photos of her costumes from throughout the season.
“Four years of Dancing on Ice – what an incredible journey!” she wrote, thanking the team, fellow judges, skaters and viewers.
Her reflective tone has prompted fans to speculate about the show’s future, as fans took to social media to discuss Mabue’s post, with many interpreting it as confirmation of the show’s end.
“Oti’s post makes it sound like this is the final series,” one viewer commented on X, formerly Twitter, leaving another to add: “#DancingonIce is defo stopping… I can just tell by the wording of Oti’s post.”
Tonight the finale three contestants – Coronation Street actor Sam Aston, Springwatch presenter Michaela Strachan, and former footballer Anton Ferdinand – will compete for a chance to lift the trophy.
They will perform their final routines in front of judges Christopher Dean, Jayne Torvill, Oti Mabuse, and Ashley Banjo.
Dancing on Ice first launched in 2006 and originally ran until 2014.
The celebrity ice-skating competition made a comeback in 2018 and has been a staple in ITV’s yearly line-up since its revival.
The show has enjoyed nearly 20 years on air with a loyal fanbase.
At its height, the programme attracted over 12 million viewers, a stark contrast to current figures.