The series has barely got underway but fans have already demanded a change to Dancing on Ice before spotting an 'unfair' problem. The self-proclaimed "greatest show on ice" returned to ITV on Sunday night (January 15) with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield back rinkside.
While they were on hand to steer the 90-minute show, all eyes were on the eleven new famous faces donning their skates for the brand-new edition of the skating show. EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer, footballer John Fashanu, Love Island winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu, Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson, and Coronation Street star Mollie Gallagher were among those taking part.
Also completing the grand-new line-up are drag queen The Vivienne, The Wanted singer Siva Kaneswaran, reality TV star Joey Essex, comedian Darren Harriott, West End star and former Hollyoaks actress Carley Stenson, and Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton.
However, viewers only got a brief taste of the whole group in action during the show's opening number as only half of the couples performed during the first show. Patsy, Ekin-Su, Nile, Siva, Joey, and Michelle all took to the ice first alongside their skating partners - Matt Evers, Brendyn Hatfield, Olivia Smart, Klabera Komini, Vanessa Bauer and Lukasz Rozycki.
Meanwhile, next week the show will welcome John and professional Alexandra Schauman; Mollie and professional Sylvain Longchambon and Darren and professional Tippy Packard to the ice. The Vivienne will skate with professional Colin Grafton, while Carley will complete the line-up with professional Mark Hanretty.
The first episode saw Ekin-Su left in danger of going home after a public vote landed her in the dance-off. The judges were thrilled by the Love Island winner, 28, and her professional partner Brendyn's steamy routine to Britney Spears’ Toxic – but they were disappointed by her skating ability.
Ekin and Brendyn scored 21.5 points from the judges, which was not the lowest score on Sunday night, as the first group of skaters took to the ice in ITV’s split premiere. However, combined with the public voting for their favourites at home, she ended up at the bottom and will now face one of five celebrities who will compete next week.
But Dancing on Ice fans were quick to comment on social media about how 'unfair' the process was - with Ekin getting a week to practice for the skate-off while the other six couples get an extra week to prep for their ice debuts. @LukeelkinsTV tweeted: "Splitting the contestants doesn't work and isn't fair. Some have an extra week to practice."
@RACZestforLife commented: "How is this odd rule still in place that the celebrity voted in the skate off tonight gets a week to rehearse whilst the celebrity next week get mere minutes to prepare? Did the producers not think of this? They've had 5 series to tweak it." @MJ_JJ061215 wrote: "They all could've danced tonight if they'd cut out some of the ads. It's unfair as the 2nd lot get an extra week practice."
@chloeburrows18 echoed: "So Ekin gets a week more to practice her dance off than the 2nd person on If they cut the footage and the stupid audience noise theyd get them all in one show #DancingOnIce." @KaneDinmore posted: "Don’t understand why the cast are split over two weeks, bit anti-climatic #DancingOnIce."
And with mention of the ads, viewers were raging about the constant interruptions to the competition, so much so they were 'turning off'. @freeeeesha said: "#DancingOnIce absolutely no point watching live when they have an ad break after every couple. Turning off, watching tomorrow."
@maclean_mandy complained: "Flippin Eck #DancingOnIce another break. Come on.... Not again this year. We want to see dancing in ice NOT adverts. Get a grip." @Binnibobs said: "The ad breaks on #DancingonIce are ridiculous! After every competitor?!?! Really?!?" @stevebethere sarcastically added: "I just love seeing the skaters inbetween the ads it's such a treat #dancingonice."
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