Michaela Strachan’s BBC Springwatch co-star speaks out on star’s ITV Dancing on Ice defeat amid ‘fix’ outrage
One of Michaela Strachan’s Springwatch co-stars has waded into the ongoing debate surrounding her Dancing on Ice defeat at the hands of Coronation Street actor Sam Aston and his pro partner Molly Lanaghan on Sunday.
The 31-year-old soap star beat wildlife presenter Strachan, 58, who finished as runner-up, and former footballer Anton Ferdinand, 40, who placed third.
The trio performed several routines during Sunday night’s grand finale, which was hosted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern.
Aston appeared gobsmacked as his name was announced, with fellow celebrities rushing to congratulate him and Lanaghan on their victory.
All three finalists were awarded perfect scores of 40 from the judges for their showcase routines, which had been choreographed by Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
Aston impressed viewers and the judging panel alike with his Pink Panther-inspired routine, taking on the role of Inspector Clouseau while skating to the iconic theme performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
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Strachan and partner Mark Hanretty delivered a “Leading Lady” performance to Don’t Rain on My Parade from the musical Funny Girl.
Ferdinand channelled his “inner superstar” alongside Annette Dytrt, dancing to Let’s Go Crazy by Prince and The Revolution, which earned him a standing ovation from judge Dean.
After Ferdinand was confirmed to have finished in third spot, fans rushed to social media to express their dismay when moments later it was announced Strachan had ended in the runner-up spot.
Several raged that the result was a “fix” and a result of “sexism”, given that Strachan was expected by many to be the first woman to win the series since Beth Tweddle in 2013.
In response to the Dancing on Ice’s Instagram page confirming Strachan’s spot as runner-up, one fan raged: “Well done to Sam, but Michaela and Mark were my winners. Really wanted Mark to get that win before he leaves, he’s one of the best pro’s. They got my votes.”
“This show gets more and more fixed. Deffo my winner in my eyes,” a second agreed before a third weighed in: “Imagine coming runners up to a man that has won without even doing any lifts Robbed or what???!! Well done Michaela.”
“I’d never usually comment this, but absolutely robbed!!!!” added a fourth while a fifth echoed: “You were both robbed. You were far and away the better shakers by a country mile. Michaela you were exquisite.” (sic)
It wasn’t just fans who felt Strachan’s performance warranted the win, as Springwatch star and wildlife TV presenter Steve Backshall waded into the debate.
Refusing to slam the results, Backshall instead heaped praised on Strachan, typing: “You guys were sensational, what an achievement. We are not worthy!!!!”
Strachan, who became the oldest contestant to reach a Dancing on Ice final at 58, was gracious in defeat when she spoke to Willoughby and Mulhern after the results were confirmed.
“I feel like I’m a winner to get so far with Mark. It was fantastic!” she said.
The final also featured Torvill and Dean’s “last ever TV performance”, with the legendary skating duo wearing purple in a nod to their original 1984 Olympic gold-winning Bolero routine.
The future of Dancing on Ice is now uncertain, with reports suggesting ITV is struggling to justify keeping the show on air as ratings continue to fall.
The launch episode of the 2025 series drew an average of just 2.9 million viewers, down from 3.6 million last year.
A source told The Mirror: “There are very real fears this is the end of the road for Dancing on Ice. It’s had a good run for nearly 20 years and has a very loyal set of viewers who really love it, but the sad truth is there’s just not enough of them.
“We need bums on seats, but the ratings have dropped to a point where it’s difficult to justify the cost.”