Dancing On Ice has returned to ITV (Image: ITVX)
Dancing On Ice returned to ITV on Sunday night but angry viewers hit out at the show after they missed a tribute to former winner The Vivienne at the end of the episode.
Minutes into the new series on and ITVX, presenters and Stephen Mulhern issued a tribute to The Vivienne, the drag act who won the very first series of the dance competition.
Holly had told viewers “Before we move on, like us, many of you will have been saddened by the tragic news of The Vivienne’s passing last weekend.
The tribute to The Vivienne at the end of the episode (Image: ITVX)
“Now, they were a huge part of our show, making it all the way to the final in 2023. They’ll be very sorely missed, and our thoughts are with The Vivienne’s loved ones at this time. So sad.”
Fans of the show and of The Vivienne were fuming at the low-key tribute.
@moonies_XP said: “Was that seriously the tribute for The Vivienne they were talking about?? Hoping there’s something else later on in the show because that’s the only reason why I tuned in icl
But it turns out that there was another tribute in the pipeline, in the form of a title card at the end of the episode, which many viewers had missed.
@tvzoneextra said: “For those who felt # spoken tribute to The Vivienne fell short, there was also a post-credits ‘in memory of’ card.”
@blhtrixya, who saw the card, said: “this episode of dancing on ice was dedicated to viv”
@xxncisaddictxx said: “At least they did do a tribute to The Vivienne just right at the end, still they could have put it on the big screen at the start #DancingOnIce”
But there were some who were still unhappy with the tribute, as @sweetwoo said: “I thought that they might of said/done a little more when it came too paying homage too The Vivienne, showing previous clips and, or a dance routine in memory of perhaps. #DancingOnIce”
@blue_laur11 said: “Is that it for a tribute to The Vivienne a few words why can’t we at least see some dances etc
At the time of their death, the show said in a statement on : “Everyone at Dancing on Ice is so deeply saddened by the passing of James Lee Williams, best known to our audiences as The Vivienne.
“Making TV history through their groundbreaking and spellbinding skating partnership with Colin Grafton, James’ unique vitality and fearless spirit entranced audiences week after week, as they became the first drag act to reach the final of the show.”
Dancing on Ice returns next Sunday, January 19 at 7pm.