Former Dancing On Ice star Alex Murphy has spoken out following the news that ITV have decided to axe the skating competition after almost 20 years
A Dancing On Ice star has been left “heartbroken” by the news that ITV have decided to cancel the programme. In recent months, the show has been surrounded by speculation it will end after it failed to draw in huge audiences. In previous years, tens of millions of people had tuned in to watch the celebrities learn the art of figure skating – but this year was watched by fewer than three million people.
An average of 2.9 million people watched the first episode which aired on January 12, a stark contrast to the 3.6 million who watched the year before. 2023 also marked Holly Willoughby’s return to TV screens after she left This Morning the year prior in order to spend more time with her family.
This year, the peak viewing figures for the show hit 3.1 million, compared to the four million who tuned in the year before when Stephen Mulhern took over presenting duties from Phillip Schofield. Now, former professional skater Alex Murphy has spoken out just hours after the news.
READ MORE: H Samuel Mother’s Day sale gets shoppers watch and matching jewellery for less than £20 each
“I’m shocked and heartbroken for everyone on the show,” she exclusively told the Mirror. Speaking at Nick Ede and Alexandra Burke’s Spring Ball, Alex, who herself was axed by the show in 2020 went on to say: “When I was axed from the show I was heartbroken because it was my livelihood, it’s not just a tv show to us professionals. I know they will all be taking it really hard and now they need to find new jobs – it’s so sad.”
But the star admits that some people may not have liked the major changes to the show in recent years, including the presenting shake-up. She said: “People don’t like change and after everything that went on with Phillip and Holly amongst other things there has been change and maybe that hasn’t gone down well for the viewership.”
She also believes that Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean’s decision to retire could have played a part in the decision made by ITV bosses. “I think that Torvill and Dean will have said they are done because there’s no show without them, so I think they’ve bowed out.” The Olympic legends performed their last routine during the Dancing On Ice final on March 9.
Alex continued: “But they will be gutted, they love the show so much and are really dedicated. It might come back, it has done it before, but they will need another Torvill and Dean, and where do you find that?” The show took break after the ninth series in 2014 before making a comeback in 2018.
An ITV spokesperson said: “Following another successful series earlier this year, Dancing On Ice will be rested in 2026 with no current plans for another series. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the cast and crew who have worked on the show since 2006, and over the previous 17 series, for all of their hard work both on and off the ice.”
Now, the set for the show is said to be being dismantled and placed into longterm storage following the decision to bring the show to an end.
Alex received the news that she was being axed during a four minute phone call in 2020 – despite winning the show in the same year with EastEnders star, Joe Swash. She told fans that she was “bewildered” by the decision to axe her from the professional line-up. But she still has no idea why she was let go. However, she believes that it was the “best thing” that had ever happened to her.
Since her exit, Alex has vowed not to “bash” the show despite being gutted, having given her “entire life” to commit to filming the programme and helping celebrities master the art of figure skating. “My life was dedicated to it, and I had given up so much for the show,” she previously said.
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
