ITV Dancing on Ice dealt further blow amid axe rumours as WORST-EVER finale ratings are unveiled
Dancing on Ice has been dealt a fresh blow amid swirling speculation that it’s facing the chop after Sunday night’s grand finale recorded its lowest ever viewing figures in the show’s history.
The 2025 final, which saw Coronation Street star Sam Aston crowned winner, reportedly pulled in just 2.7 million viewers.
This marks a dramatic decline from the programme’s peak audience of more than 12 million in previous years.
ITV executives are reportedly meeting this week to decide the show’s future, according to The Sun and Daily Mail.
Sources claim staff working on the show have already been told their jobs are finished.
“The staffers on Dancing on Ice are saying the show is over and claim they’ve been told as much,” a source told The Sun.
Insiders say the programme’s future hinges on meetings following Sunday’s finale. Staff are reportedly “not holding out much hope” for the future of their jobs.
Prior to Sunday’s finale, an ITV spokesperson told Mirror: “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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Another insider claimed the whole production is “expensive” to make with questions over whether ITV is getting value for money.
“There’s no denying, though, that the format has become tired and they’re not getting the big names they once did,” the source added.
The show has reportedly seen a significant decline in viewership despite still attracting nearly three million for its launch show.
“Changes are needed and it’s likely it’ll be rested and given a new lease of life.”
Despite the nail-biting finale that resulted in a shock result, the show, fronted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern, failed to attract viewers.
Aston triumphed after impressing judges and viewers with his performances, including a version of the Bolero.
He beat Springwatch presenter Michaela Strachan, 58, and former footballer Anton Ferdinand, who finished in third place.
After learning she was runner-up, Michaela said: “It’s been an amazing journey and I feel that I’m a winner to get this far with Mark. I’ve done it for the older women!”
Strachan’s loss, which wasn’t predicted by bookmakers, prompted outraged reactions from vast sections of the show’s fandom.
The Springwatch star was expected by many to be the first female since Beth Tweddle in 2013 to lift the coveted trophy.
When she failed to do so and Aston was unveiled as this year’s champion, social media was alight with comments from fans branding the result a “fix” and “sexist”.
Strachan, however, has remained upbeat since her defeat, issuing a lengthy statement on social media lauding her time on the show alongside pro skater Mark Hanretty.
“Wow what a night last night was on @dancingonice,” the Springwatch star penned on social media. “I loved every minute of it.”
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 . A truly special soul & unbelievably talented human being in so many ways.
“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.