Where are Dancing On Ice winners now? Soap return, injuries and secret romances

Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern are gearing up to crown the seventeenth winner of Dancing On Ice – after a series that will remembered for some incredible performances

The live final of Dancing On Ice 2025 is almost upon us and the final three has never been closer.

Anton Ferdinand, Sam Aston and Michaela Strachan are vying to be crowned this year’s champion after impressing with a series of flawless routines over the last thee months.

The talented trio have seen off some stiff tough competition from their fellow celebs, dodged injuries, performed some impressive stunts and now they’re poised to find out which one of them will be crowned the winner.

However, bookies have predicted the final is a two-horse race between Michaela and Anton. Retired footballer Anton has odds of 20/1 while Michaela is the favourite at 4/7. But, the public will have to tune in to find out if those predictions are true.

Whatever happens on the night, whoever does win the seventeenth series of the ITV skating competition will be joining a long list of illustrious winners who have gone on to big things in their personal lives and careers after braving one of TV’s most dangerous reality shows.

We take a look back at all the previous stars who were awarded the title and what happened next…

Ryan Thomas – 2024

Ryan Thomas won the 2024 series (
Image:
Kieron McCarron/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Following a tense final, Ryan Thomas was crowned the winning celebrity for the 2024 series. Scooping the win alongside his skating partner Amani Fancy, the duo saw of competition from Miles Nazaire and Vanessa Bauer, and Adele Roberts and Mark Hanretty.

Actor Ryan’s famous brothers Adam and Scott Thomas were both seen in tears as the result was announced. Meanwhile, Ryan’s fiancée and mother of two of his children Lucy Mecklenburgh looked on proudly after his winning performance.

Ryan said he was “speechless” as he was crowned this year’s Dancing on Ice winner while partner Amani broke down in tears of joy as they were handed the winning trophy. An emotional Ryan said: “I’m speechless!” before adding: “I just can’t, it’s Amani, I’m happy for her because she’s put so much hard work in with me. Listen, Greg, if you’re watching this at home… this trophy is for you, mate!”

A year on from his DOI stint and Ryan is set to return to Coronation Street after nearly 10 years away. He is best known for playing Eileen Grimshaw’s son Jason on the ITV soap for 16 years until leaving the cobbles in 2016.

Revealing his return, he explained that Eileen actress Sue Cleaver called him to be part of her exit storyline. He said: “I got the call from Sue saying would I come back for her exit storyline – that’s where my career started and I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for Coronation Street.”

Away from soapland, Ryan is set to turn his hand to hosting as he and brother Adam have been confirmed at the hosts for ITV’s new Saturday night show 99 to Beat – a first look of which was released this weekend.

Nile Wilson – 2023

Nile faced The Vivienne and Joey Essex in the final (
Image:
ITV)
British gymnast Nile Wilson pipped Joey Essex and the late The Vivienne to the post as he scooped the 2023 Dancing On Ice trophy.

After a string of perfect scores Nile and his skating partner Olivia Smart won the 2023 series.

Ahead of the final, Nile was clear favourite to win, but that was something he wasn’t keen to dwell on.

“I’m just focusing on the process not the results, that’s what I learned as an athlete. If we go out there and skate the best we can, the results will take care of themselves. The semi final was an incredible moment to get the four tens,” he said.

Since his DOI triumph, Nile regularly posts amusing videos on his Instagram page, showing him still partaking in gymnastics at his very own gymnastics club in Burnley.

Regan Gascoigne – 2022

Regan won the 2022 series (
Image:
Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Regan’s dad Paul became emotional as he won the series in 2022 alongside skater Karina Manta. The crowd could be heard screaming as the result was announced, while Regan’s sister Bianca was seen jumping for hoy in the audience.

Regan had stiff competition as he was up against Brendan Cole and Kimberly Wyatt for the win.

Following his win on the ITV show Regan has kept somewhat of a low profile. However, he did play the role of the Prince for a pantomime show of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at The Tyne Theatre & Opera House.

Sonny Jay – 2021

Capital Radio DJ Sonny Jay won Dancing On Ice with partner Angela Egan in 2021 (
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Dancing On Ice/ICapital Radio DJ Sonny Jay is the reigning Dancing on Ice champion after skating to victory alongside partner Angela Egan last year.

He saw off competition from soap star Faye Brookes and former Olympian Colin Jackson in the tense final showdown.

The last series had to be shortened thanks to a plethora of injuries and positive coronavirus tests blighting the competition.

After winning over viewers with his routine inspired by Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean’s classic Bolero, Sonny stole the show on the night.

“That is mental!” said the broadcaster as his name was announced.

Sonny returned to his broadcasting day job co-hosting the Capital FM Breakfast show after the series came to an end.

Joe Swash – 2020

Joe Swash was the surprise winner in 2020 (
Image:
Matt Frost/ITV/Shutterstock)

Joe and Stacey welcomed baby Rose this year (
Image:
Instagram)
Joe Swash was the surprise winner of 2020, with even the former EastEnder star boldly claiming himself to be ‘the worst Dancing on Ice champion ever.’

The pandemic put the breakers on Joe doing anything major after his win but he has made huge steps in his personal life in the last two years.

After spending lockdown with girlfriend Stacey Solomon, Joe popped the question on a romantic Christmas Eve walk with the pair are now planning their wedding this year.

Then three months after getting engaged, the loved-up pair moved into their ‘forever home’ Pickle Cottage with their blended family.

And this year the Solomon-Swash clan expanded once again as they welcomed their first daughter, baby Rose.

James Jordan -2019

James Jordan and Alexandra Schauman were the 2019 champions (
Image:
Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

James Jordan is now a proud dad to daughter Ella (
Image:
Rex)
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan jumped ship to ITV in 2019 where he put his dancing skills to good use with partner Alexandra Schauman.

James was a natural on the ice and saw off competition from Love Island’s Wes Nelson in the final.

A year after his win, James welcomed his first child – a daughter Ella – with wife Ola Jordan following ITV treatment.

However, there was also heartbreak for James who tragically lost his beloved dad Allan in March 2021, after being diagnosed ith a brain tumour.

James said losing his father left him in a ‘very dark place’. The dancer chose to pay a permanent tribute to his dad with a huge tattoo on his arm.

Jake Quickenden – 2018

Jake Quickenden was the worthy winner in 2018 (
Image:
Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
After doing the rounds of the reality TV circuit – X Factor and I’m A Celebrity – Jake signed on to the ITV skating show and went all the way to the final.

His triumph came after the show returned to our screens after a five year hiatus.

Jake went on big things following his win after landing a part in Hair The Musical and securing a number of presenting jobs.

He also used his expertise to lead the male stars on The Real Full Monty on Ice last year to raise money for a cause close to his heart.

While his career took off after the skating show, Jake’s personal life took a hit when he split with fiancée of seven months Danielle Fogarty weeks after the final having spent three years together.

At the time it was reported that the pair had been locked in a series of explosive rows over Jake’s partying with his Dancing On Ice co-star Kem Cetinay leaving Danielle distraught.

He later moved on with now girlfriend Sophie Church, with the pair welcoming son Leo in 2021.

Beth Tweddle -2013

Dancing on Ice winners Beth Tweddle and Lukasz Rozycki (
Image:
PA)

Beth had surgery to her neck after taking part in Channel 4 show The Jump (
Image:
PA)
Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle made history on the show back in 2013.

She skated to victory on with Daniel Whiston, making it the third time the professional had won the show with a celebrity.

Three years after her win, Beth took part in another winter sports reality show – Channel’s The Jump.

However, two weeks into the show she crashed out of the competition – quite literally – after hitting a barrier in training leading to her being air-lifted to hospital.

Beth, who won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic games, fractured her vertebrae and had to undergo surgery on her neck and spinal cord.

In 2019 she announced plans to sue the makers of The Jump for £200,000 in damages for her injuries.

Matthew Wolfenden -2012

Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden and Nina Ulanova previously won the show (
Image:
ITV)
Emmerdalestar Matthew Wolfenden lifted the coveted trophy with his partner Nina Ulanova in 2012 after beating soap rival Jorgie Porter and X Factor’s Chico Slimani in the final.

Following his win, Matthew continued to appear as David Metcalfe in the ITV soap he has continued to play a regular cast-member.

However, Matthew took a break from the show in September last year when it was alleged a mid-race actress was upset by a comment.

ITV said it had made a “rigorous enquiry” but no formal action would be taken and Matthew returned to set months later.

Outside of soapland, Matthew wed his real life partner and co-star Charley Webb in 2018 with the pair welcoming three sons together.

Sam Attwater – 2011

Sam Attwater found a future wife on the show! (
Image:
ITV)
FormerEastEnders’ actor Sam won the sixth series of the show where he was partnered up with professional Vicky Ogden.

The pair had undeniable chemistry and fell head over heels for each other as their weeks on the show passed by.

They became the first DOI couple to tie the knot in 2014.

In February 2016 Vick announced they were expecting a child and Rosie was born the same year.

In 2019, the pair welcomed a second daughter Daisy.

As they grew their family, Sam and Vicky found time to appear in the special All Stars series of the skating show where they finished in fourth place.

Since his win, Sam has starred in a number of West End productions, including Dreamboats & Petticoats.

Hayley Tamaddon – 2010

Hayley was a hit with viewers on Dancing On Ice (
Image:
Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Former soap star Hayley and professional Dan Whitson won the public vote in 2010 – making Dan the first pro to scoop the prize twice.

Before signing up to the show, Hayley was best known for playing Del Dingle in Emmerdale from 2005 until 2007.

After her win she returned to the soaps, this time appearing as Andrea Beckett in Coronation Street.

She stayed in Wetherfield for two years but left when her character left the cobbles alongside partner Lloyd, played by Craig Charles.

Her decision to leave came after Hayley was hospitalised in 2014, saying the pressure of working on Corrie and taking part in the Dancing On Ice became too much for her.

Hayley had reason to celebrate in 2019 when she announced she was pregnant with her first child with boyfriend Adrian.

She gave birth to a son in October the same year.

Ray Quinn – 2009

Ray Quinn was one of DOI’s best ever celeb skaters
The former X Factor star has undergone a total body transformation since fans last saw him get his skates on more than ten years ago.

In 2009 Ray wowed the Dancing On Ice judges in 2009 and triumphed with Maria Filippov as he became the first celeb skater to backflip on the ice.

Unsurprisingly, Ray was also voted the champion of the show’s All Stars version five years later with his skills unmatched by his rivals.

Ray went on to perform as Danny Zuko in Grease, Billy Kosteki in Dirty Dancing and Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde. Ray was also cast as the title character in the new Aladdin musical in 2012.

He also appeared as right-wing extremist Jonny Baxter in Hollyoaks in 2018.

After lockdown, Ray left the limelight and started working as a Hermes delivery driver in lockdown.

Earlier this month, Ray announced he and fiancee Emily Ashleigh are expecting their first child together.

Ray was previously married to actress Emma Stephens but they divorced in 2015.

Suzanne Shaw – 2008

Former Hear’Say star Suzanne was a hit with viewers (
Image:
Rex)
It has been quite a ride for former Hear’Say star Suzanne since she stepped foot on the ice.

After winning with Matt Evers 13 years ago, she went on to perform in a number of West End productions including Chicago, The Vagina Monologues and White Christmas.

She also dipped her toe into TV acting when she appeared as Edna Birch’s granddaughter Eve in Emmerdale in 2010, but left a year later.

Suzanne split from husband Jason King in 2012. She gave birth to her second son, and first with Sam, in 2015. She is also mum to Corey, 15, with ex-partner Darren Day.

Kyran Bracken -2007

Kyran Bracken and Nina Ulanova ‘Dancing on Ice’ (
Image:
Rex)
The scrum-half stepped out of his comfort zone and skated to victory in 2007, becoming the first male celebrity to take the crown with partner Melanie Lambert.

The ex England rugby star is now a big family man.

He and wife Victoria have three sons together – Charlie, Jack and Lochlan.

Since winning the show, he toured with Holiday on Ice in their show Romanza and even returned for the All Stars version of Dancing On Ice in 2014, finishing fifth.

Gaynor Faye – 2006

Gaynor Faye and Daniel Whiston are the original Dancing On Ice champs
The former soap star lit up the first ever show and it helped her on her way to some big things.