Reigning Dancing On Ice champion Ryan Thomas was welcomed back to the rink on Sunday night where he was reunited with the show trophy as a new batch of stars set out to win it

Dancing On Ice reigning champion Ryan Thomas returned to the rink on Sunday night to encourage the 2025 cast of contestants.

The 40-year-old soap star won the 2024 contest alongside professional skater Amani Fancy and returned to the show on Sunday night to show the 2025 cast what they were out to win. He appeared on the series wearing a striking, shimmering silver top which complemented the Dancing On Ice trophy – which he waved in front of the cameras.

Handing the trophy to him, host Holly Willoughby declared: “I’m going to hand this back to you. Only for a short while. It feels like only yesterday that you held that up as our winner.” Seeming emotional, Ryan then said: “I just can’t believe that I’m here. I’m so privileged and honoured to be brought back.”

Viewers were also thrilled to see Ryan back on the ice – with one writing on X: “werent expecting to see ryan thomas on my tv tonight!” alongside a flame emoji. Others gushed: “Ryan Thomas was brilliant last year #DancingOnIce” along with a clapping hand emoji and: “How good was it to see Ryan Thomas back on doi.” Another wrote: “Totally forgot Ryan Thomas won last year.”

Ryan Thomas made a triumphant return to Dancing On Ice ( 
Image:
ITV)

Both Holly, 43, and Stephen Mulhern, 47, have returned to host the iconic winter sport reality competition – with a host of celebrities hoping to take home the trophy. For the 2025 season, the celebrities taking part include soap stars, reality stars and more – with the 2025 season the 18th in Dancing On Ice’s history.

EastEnders icon Charlie Brooks – famous for playing Janine Butcher on the BBC soap – is taking part and has been paired with professional skater Eric Radford. However, she’s not the only soap star to be taking part. Coronation Street star Sam Aston – who plays Chesney Brown on the ITV show – is taking part and is partnered with pro skater Molly Lanaghan. And Hollyoaks star Chelsee Healey, famous for playing Goldie McQueen, is partnered with Andy Buchanan.

Former Towie stars Dan Edgar and Ferne McCann are taking part and have been paired with Vanessa James and Brendyn Hatfield respectively – while former Love Island contestant Chris Taylor will be skating alongside professional star Vanessa Bauer. Comedian Josh Jones has been paired with professional skater Tippy Packard, and Olympic icon Steve Redgrave is taking part under the guidance of skater Vicky Ogden.

Football pundit Anton Ferdinand and TV presenter Michaela Strachan complete the line-up and are partnered with Annette Dytrt and Mark Hanretty respectively. Meanwhile, the judging panel is composed of skating icons Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, and TV personalities Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse.

Paralympic hero Dame Sarah Storey had been all set to take part on this year’s Dancing on Ice, but a nasty fall during training led to an abrupt exit. She revealed her fate via social media, writing: “Absolutely gutted to have my Dancing on Ice training interrupted in this way – just as my first routine with @slongchambon was really coming together! An awkward stumble and fall with my left foot stuck on the ice sadly led to me fracturing my left ankle.”

After the first week of performances, Michaela and Mark led via the leaderboard thanks to judges votes. And next weekend will see the final contestants take to the ice – before the two with the lowest votes are forced to dance for survival, with one being booted from the contest.