is facing the chop according to reports just hours after ’s Sam Aston was crowned the winner of this year’s series. It has been reported that TV bosses will make a decision about the future of the mainstay, which is hosted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern, this week.
Viewing figures have crashed from a peak of 12million, with only a quarter of that watching as the soap hunk, 31, beat Michaela Strachan, 58, and former footie ace Anton Ferdinand, 40, in the live final. Insiders told that the series is not cheap to produce and is in need of a major revamp. The reality show underwent a major transformation before its relaunch in 2018 after being pulled for four years.
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Dancing on Ice could be facing the chop hours after the live final (Image: Kieron McCarron/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
A source said: “The staffers on Dancing on Ice are saying the show is over and claim they’ve been told as much. It’s a mainstay of ITV’ schedule and viewing figures are remarkably less than they were but they still had almost three million watch the launch show.
“There’s no denying, though, that the format has become tired and they’re not getting the big names they once did. Changes are needed and it’s likely it’ll be rested and given a new lease of life”.
They added: “The show’s future hinges on the meetings that follow last night’s finale. Dancing on Ice is an expensive production and there are questions over whether ITV is getting bang for its buck. Staff working on it aren’t holding out much hope”.
Olympic dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean hinted that they were unsure about the programme’s future after they announced they will no longer perform for the programme.
Coronation Street star Sam Aston stole the ITV crown this year (Image: Kieron McCarron/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Christopher said: “If Dancing on Ice continues, we will just come back as judges.” The ice skating expert explained that 50 years of performing “takes its toll on the body”. Former contestant and ex-Strictly professional Brendan Cole said recently the format must alter.
He added: “They haven’t really changed anything. There’s something missing, something that Strictly has”. Bookies last night slashed their odds on the programme being axed from 4/11 to 1/2.
ITV said: “The Dancing on Ice team has been fully concentrating on the much-anticipates series finale and therefore no decision has been made.”