Michaela Strachan breaks silence amid backlash to ITV Dancing on Ice defeat as BBC Springwatch star issues statement
Michaela Strachan has penned a lengthy statement about her time on Dancing on Ice, 24 hours after Sunday’s grand finale.
On Monday evening, the Springwatch presenter reflected on her time on the show while outrage at her defeat continued to rumble on among the ITV show’s fandom.
Strachan was odds-on with bookmakers prior to Sunday’s finale to lift the trophy, with many fans expecting to see a female winner for the first time since 2013.
But it wasn’t to be, however, as a gob-smacked Sam Aston received the trophy from hosts Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby alongside his skating pro partner, Molly Lanaghan.
While Strachan took the loss in good spirits, viewers at home raged that the results were a “fix” and even claimed “sexism” among voters.
Several fans, including one of her Springwatch co-stars, have since publicly issued social media comments in disbelief at the loss, but now, Strachan has decided to break cover.
Rather than focus on the uproar that has followed her runner-up spot, the DOI finalist instead decided to laud her time alongside departing pro Mark Hanretty on the skating competition.
“Wow what a night last night was on @dancingonice,” Strachan penned in an Instagram post late on Monday evening. “I loved every minute of it.”
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She continued: “From the opening number, to the showcase routine ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade’ with my very own Flying Strachan train and 7 fabulous pro skaters, to getting to perform the Bolero with @markhanretty.
“This whole experience has been so incredible. From being terrified on the ice back in October, to getting to be the runner up in the final, I completely exceeded my own expectations and am so proud of what @markhanretty & I have achieved.
“So many unbelievable memories. So many incredible people involved.
“But the best by far has been my wonderful partner @markhanretty,” she continued. “A truly special soul & unbelievably talented human being in so many ways.”
Embracing the positives despite her defeat, Strachan went on: “For me, the fact that he finally got to perform the Bolero, on his last year on @dancingonice , was a win!
“Huge congrats to @samaston93 & @mollylanaghanx for taking the trophy and to @anton_ferdinand5 & @annettedytrt for coming 3rd. You are all so fab.
“This has been an extraordinary and unforgettable chapter of my life.”
She signed off the Instagram post by giving a “huge thank you” to her supporters, adding that their messages had been “a little pocket of skating joy”.
Before long, fans, famous faces and some of Strachan’s DOI co-stars rushed to share their supporting messages.
Fellow finalist and former footballer Anton Ferdinand replied to the post: “What a wonderful woman it’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know you.”
Meanwhile, winning pro skater Lanaghan penned: “You’re such a star Michaela! Such a pleasure compete alongside you during season 17!”
And pop band Scouting for Girls commented: “You’ll always be our winner!!! What an incredible journey and experience. Inspirational XXX.” (sic)