The new series of Dancing on Ice will see a number of changes made with ITV also installing a 24-hour hotline so its DOI cast can speak out ‘without fear of abuse’

Dancing on Ice bosses are set to make another major change to the new series with a huge overhaul to the skate-off coming.

Back for a sparkling new series in 2025, more glitz, glamour and show-stopping performances have been promised as the celebrities brave it all to learn this challenging new discipline. But things appear to be changing with one major change in the offing, it has been claimed.

To help the hopefuls cope with training demands, couples will no longer have to perform a whole new dance if they land in the bottom two. It has been reported that they will instead carry out a repeat an old routine. Olympic star Sir Steve Redgrave, Corrie long-server Sam Aston, TV legend Michaela Strachan, EastEnder Charlie Brooks and reality star Ferne McCann are just a few of those taking part.

ITV didn’t comment when approached by Mirror Online but a show source said: “On Dancing on Ice, in the past all the couples had to prepare a special skate-off dance which would be ready in case they were voted into the bottom two. But that meant on top of learning their main routine, any group dances – and sometimes more – the pairs were in most cases having to learn a dance that went to waste.

Dancing On Ice will be back for a 17th series next year ( 
Image:
ITV)

“Bosses have rethought the plan moving forwards and couples in the bottom two will now be asked to simply repeat the same dance that they performed on the main show,” they told The Sun. “Duty of care was also paramount on DOI but the new approach will reduce the demands on everyone and makes the most sense in terms of training schedules and efficiency.”

Producers of ITV’s Dancing on Ice have reportedly created a 24-hour hotline for stars to raise concerns in the wake of Strictly’s bullying scandal. According to reports, TV insiders said programme bosses who work on the Sunday night show had also sent its 12 celebrities a six-page letter informing them they can speak out “without fear of abuse”.

In addition to this, the celebrities starring in next year’s series, which will also see Holly Willoughby, 43, return as host, will be assigned a producer to ensure that their “wellbeing” is kept in check. The news comes after BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing was hit with bullying claims earlier this year due to the scandal involving pro dancer Giovanni Pernice and actress Amanda Abbington.

Following on from this, the BBC sacked pro Graziano Di Prima for kicking TV personality Zara McDermott. An insider told The Sun: “ITV puts the welfare of show contestants at the heart of what they do. No one needs another Strictly — and Dancing on Ice bosses want their stars to feel like they can speak out if something isn’t right.

“They will have access to a 24-hour hotline manned by professionals to raise concerns about any bullying or to get help with their mental health.”

The source went on to share that the celebs are happy to participate in the new procedures and added: “They have also been given a letter outlining what they should expect from the show and how they should conduct themselves. This year’s celebs have said they appreciate the measures. To know they have support like this is reassuring.”