Celebs have got their skates on again for the new series of winter skating show Dancing On Ice. The ITV contest has returned for its 15th series with 11 new famous faces hoping to impress.
Hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are back rinkside as while the Dancing on Ice cast of 2022 will be closely watched by the all-star judging panel skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, Diversity star Ashley Banjo and former Strictly pro Oti Mabuse. As viewers tuned in for some icy action, some were distracted by memories of the row dubbed 'queuegate'.
Back in September, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II's death, people complained and launched a petition after Phillip and Holly were accused of 'pushing in' to see Her Majesty lying in state. But ITV bosses said they were actually working at the time.
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Phillip and Holly were seen inside Westminster Hall, where Queen Elizabeth II's coffin was placed for four days before her state funeral, with hundreds of thousands of people queuing for miles across London in order to pay their final respects. This Morning quickly hit back at the claims that their presenters skipped the queue, which at its peak reached a 14-hour wait for those wanting to pay their final respects to the monrach following her death on September 8, aged 96.
During their first day back on This Morning following their appearance in Westminster Hall, Holly addressed the outrage in a video documenting the events of the last couple of weeks, from finding out the Queen had died up until the Queen's funeral.
During the VT, the mum-of-three could be heard saying in a voiceover as footage showed them outside Westminster Hall: "Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists, we were given official permission to access the hall. It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven't been able to visit Westminster in person.
"The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast, those paying respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause." She continued: "None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone's place in the queue and no one filed passed the Queen. We, of course, respected those rules, however, we realise that it may have looked like something else and therefore totally understand the reaction."
One Dancing On Ice viewer @LucySimonP quipped on Twitter: "Good to see Phil and Holly at the front of the queue." @ladyjazmana sniped: "Holly and Phil still wearing all black for the queen I see." And @JessicaDunlop16 joked about the voting: "Not yet? Word has it Holly & Phill are already voting for their faves."
@GMcK2012 also joked: "Not much point having it this year. Phil and Holly will probably skate to the front ahead of everyone else again." And @tariboy said: "I won’t forget the queue jumping."
Calling for a shake-up @MarkBrearley69 asked: "Why Phillip and Holly? Get new hosts." @amyt3402 wanted to know: "Are they seriously keeping Phil & Holly as presenters?" And @cyberlocks said: "Need new hosts."
But Holly's stunning look for launch night wowed other admiring viewers. The 41-year-old beauty dazzled in a plunging black fishtail gown. @PollyCracker92 praised: "Oh my life Holly looks FLAWLESS."
@LibbyDaviesRN gasped: "I love Holly’s dress!" @RyanTheSoapking said: "Holly looking (flame emojis)" @gracieviolet_ praised: "Holly looks so beautiful." And @Charlie__Tweets said: "Holly looking beautiful and Phil looking dapper as always."
As Phil, 60, partied on New Year's Eve in Denmark he made his feelings clear about waving goodbye to 2022 as he told fans he was partying to make sure the year has "buggered off." "Before it all happens..."he typed alongside the smiley photo on his Instagram. "Just to say I'm partying, not only to welcome in the new year, but to be absolutely sure 2022 has buggered off!!!"
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