Dancing On Ice viewers brand show a ‘joke’ as second celebrity is eliminated
We’re now three weeks into Dancing On Ice 2025, which means it’s time to say goodbye to another celebrity.
Last week, fans expressed their rage across social media as Chelsee Healey became the first skating star to get the chop.
She received the lowest total score after the judges’ points were combined with viewers’ votes and, in a shocking new twist, wasn’t able to save herself in a skate-off. Instead, she left the competition immediately.
And now, the Hollyoaks star has company, as Ferne McCann has also been eliminated.
Again, she and professional partner Brendyn Hatfield were not allowed an opportunity to perform one more time, meaning the result was final.
They solemnly glided over to hosts Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern to say their goodbyes before doing one final lap of the rink.
Ferne, 34, who skated to a Trolls-inspired number for her young daughter, Sunday, said she was ‘so gutted’ to be leaving the show so early.
She added: ‘We were having so much fun; I’m really sad.
‘Brendyn, you’ve been amazing; thank you so much. It’s been brilliant. So fantastic.’
Ferne scored 28 points out of a possible 40 for her routine to September by Earth, Wind & Fire.
Meanwhile, the joint highest scorers were Coronation Street star Sam Aston and BBC presenter Michaela Strachan on 32.5 points tonight.
It’s fair to say viewers were not happy with the outcome tonight, taking to X to blast the show as a ‘joke’ in support of the Towie alum.
‘Joke of a result. Skipping the dance off is a ridiculous idea!’, wrote X user blithespirit_.
Plenty of others agreed as ChezFletch raged: ‘What a joke it is this year!!!! Getting rid without a skate off, shocking!!!!’
Seemingly threatening to turn off altogether, ayoprayer wrote: ‘There is absolutely no reason to continue watching this when it’s essentially became a popularity contest with a bit of ice skating thrown in…’
‘Ferne didn’t deserve to go at all’, declared StephMarbella, adding that the programme has been ‘ruined’.
Arguing that retired rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave, this year’s oldest contestant at 62, should’ve gone instead, Icklesmee tweeted: ‘Ferne was absolutely robbed, British public once again voting for personality instead of who can actually skate. Steve should’ve left tonight’.
This certainly isn’t the first time viewers have made their criticisms known this series, as X was ablaze last week when Chelsee was axed.
‘I’m just really grateful; I’ve had the best time,’ the soap star said after the result was confirmed.
However, her supporters did not hold their tongues in the same way, branding Dancing On Ice an ‘abysmal’ show due to its track record of eliminating women early doors.
In fact, a woman has not lifted the trophy since 2013, when gymnast Beth Tweddle and her partner Daniel Whiston were crowned winners.
Sadly for the cast of series 17, there was another unexpected exit this weekend.
Just hours before the show went live on ITV, it was announced that comedian Josh Jones had sustained an injury, meaning he was unable to continue skating.
The 32-year-old was due to perform again alongside pro skater Tippy Packard during Movie Night, which featured numbers from Barbie, Deadpool, Ghost, and more.
A message on the official Dancing On Ice Instagram page read: ‘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.’
Remaining in the contest now are the likes of Towie’s Dan Edgar, The Traitors finalist Mollie Pearce, and EastEnders icon Charlie Brooks, all of whom return for another skate next Sunday.
Dancing On Ice returns next Sunday on ITV1 and ITVX.
Dancing On Ice viewers brand show a ‘joke’ as second celebrity is eliminated