Dancing On Ice fans were quick to complain over an ‘unfair’ exit on Sunday night (Image: ITV)
Viewers of were up in arms over what they deemed an ‘unfair’ departure from the show on Sunday night after the news broke that competitor Josh Jones had to bow out from the hit ice dancing show following an injury he picked up during practice sessions.
On the day itself, Dancing On Ice shared the unfortunate update: “Josh Jones sustained an injury during rehearsals and has had to withdraw from Dancing On Ice. Josh and Tippy’s partnership will be greatly missed. We will be helping to support Josh and wish him well with his recovery.”
Fans who tuned in clung to the hope that Josh’s premature departure at the age of 32 would spare the remaining celebrities from elimination that evening.
Despite the audience’s plea for clemency, Dancing On Ice pressed ahead with the night’s cutthroat episode.
Presenter dropped the bombshell: “Tonight, there are no second chances, the lowest placed couple will go straight out the competition with no skate-off to save them! “.
:
It was announced earlier on Sunday, 26 January, that contestant Josh Jones had withdrawn (Image: ITV)
In a dramatic turn of events on the show, after the public vote, Ferne McCann was ousted, leaving the TOWIE star visibly devastated.
Fans took to Twitter to vent their frustration at what they deemed an “unfair” departure, reports .
One viewer tweeted: “It’s a stupid and unfair idea not to have a skate off. I don’t know who thought of it #DOI #DancingOnIce.”
Another posted: “Hate there’s no skate off. Makes it just a popularity contest and not much about skill. Shame. #dancingonice,” and yet another chimed in with: “Why is there no skate off? #doi #dancingonice.”
This follows the previous week’s close shave for Josh, who narrowly escaped elimination alongside Chelsee Healey. The Hollyoaks star, 36, and her ice partner Andy Buchanan had previously found themselves trailing at the leaderboard’s end with a score of 22 from the initial group of contestants.
Later in the show, following the vote, Ferne McCann was eliminated (Image: ITV)
After the rest of the celebrities had their chance to perform last week, both Chelsee and Josh, who had earlier earned a score of 20.5 for his performance, were left languishing at the bottom. Combining judges’ scores with audience votes resulted in Chelsee having the lowest tally, leading to her early exit from the contest.
Fans are clamouring for Chelsee’s return to the show following Josh’s departure. Flocking to Twitter, one viewer exclaimed: “Bring Chelsee back!” Another urged: “Bring back Chelsea then.”
A third questioned: “That mean Chelsea can come back? ” and yet another fan suggested: “@dancingonice should bring @chelseehealey back now then instead as it seems unfair #DancingOnIce #DOI.”