returned to ITV screens last Sunday .
Hosts and Stephen Mulhern stepped back onto the rink to lead the latest series, joined by skating legends Torvill and Dean for a stunning opening performance.
However, viewers were quick to turn icy over a major shake-up to the show’s format, branding it “unfair” and “baffling.”
For the first time, Dancing On Ice has scrapped the skate-off for the opening elimination, opting instead to combine votes and scores from the first two weeks to decide who leaves.
Taking to social media, furious fans blasted the decision, claiming it creates an uneven playing field. One irate viewer wrote: “I just can’t figure out how they do that fairly when one is a six-way vote and the other a five-way vote.”
Dancing on Ice ‘fix’ row as ‘unfair’ voting decision spotted (Image: ITV)
Another complained: “Baffling to axe the week two skate-off, considering how much padding there was in episode one with an extra act, a bigger opening number, and the Torvill and Dean routine.”
A third commented: “This DOI change seems odd and unfair. Why this annoying change?” Others worried the system would disadvantage skaters in the first group.
Another fan vented: “This is a snafu of their own making by deciding not to have a replacement skater to ensure the numbers are even; there simply is no way to compare the public votes fairly.”
While the drama played out on the ice, tension also seemed to bubble in the audience. According to a show insider, Ferne McCann’s fiancé, Lorri Haines, and her mother, Gilly, appeared frosty during the live broadcast.
The pair, seated with Ferne’s daughter Sunday between them, were reportedly distant throughout the show. An audience member revealed: “They didn’t seem very close at all. They both spoke to Sunday but barely exchanged a word with each other.”
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The source added: “It was very bizarre, and it was clear there was some tension in the air. It’s no secret Ferne and Lorri have had their struggles recently, so perhaps that’s why things appeared strained.”
Elsewhere, fans couldn’t help but gush over Sam Aston’s son, Joseph, who stole the spotlight as his dad made his skating debut. Viewers flocked to social media to comment on how much the little one looks like his famous father, with one fan writing: “He’s the spitting image of Sam!”
A number of famous faces have signed up to the 2025 series, including icon Charlie Brooks, star Sam Aston and five-time Olympic gold medalist Sir Steve Redgrave.
The trio are joined by Hollyoaks actress Chelsee Healey, ‘s Chris Taylor, presenter and TOWIE stars Dan Edgar and Ferne McCann.
Comedian Josh Jones, former footballer Anton Ferdinand and Traitors star Mollie Pearce will also be showing off their skating skills on the ITV show.
Each celebrity has strapped on their skates in the hopes of walking away as the winner, like star Ryan Thomas did in 2024.