DANCING On Ice legends Torvill and Dean will take to the ice for the final time during this series – but that might not be the only special performance viewers can expect.
Judge Ashley Banjo brought his dance troupe, Diversity, to the ice for the first time in 2023 and blew the roof off the rink.
And, if the stars align, they’ll be back for another go in a matter of weeks.
In an exclusive interview ahead of the latest series, Ashley told The Sun: “I’d like to come back and give it another go.
“That is something that we talk about actually. It’s just whether with the scheduling you can make it work because it is such a lot, such a lot of effort but it’s worth it, because when do you ever get the chance with Jayne and Chris on Dancing on Ice? It’s an iconic show now.
“So yeah definitely. If we can make it happen, fingers crossed, the Diversity will be on the ice again.”
Ashley returned to rinkside duties last Sunday as the class of 2025 revealed what they’ve learned in their gruelling practice sessions.
The week one leaderboard was topped by Michaela Strachan and Mark Hanretty with 30.5 points, followed by Sam Aston and Molly Lanaghan in second with 27.
At the other end Chelsee Healey and Andy Buchanan were playing catch up with 22 points, two points less than Chris Taylor and Vanessa Bauer.
The celebs certainly had more pressure on their shoulders than Ashley, who admitted: “The lads have been training for months on end and they’re falling over and they’ve got the bruises and the blood to show for it.
“I think that I’ve done it for so long now that I actually look forward to turning up and saying like, ‘wow, how have they done?’
“You know, when I see that, when I see those first shows and those first skates, I’m pretty much seeing it all fresh like the audience is.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Dancing on Ice winner ‘revealed’ after ‘amazing’ first week performance say fans” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6367003943112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“I like that part of it, to be honest, because normally I am super prepared because I’m performing but with a show like DOI I can turn up and do the other job, which is nice.”
Meanwhile, Bolero legends Jayne Torvill, 67, and Christopher Dean, 66, will bow out of live performances this year with a final celebratory routine.
Christopher told The Sun: “This will be our last live skate on here on Dancing On Ice because we’re doing our final tour this year.
“So once we’ve finished our last skate on the tour we won’t be performing again.”
Michaela Strachan and Mark Hanretty
Anton Ferdinand and Annette Dytrt
Here’s who has left the show so far:
Mollie Pearce and Colin Grafton – couple were sixth to be booted off
Charlie Brooks and Eric Radford – EastEnders star loses out in the skate-off
Chris Taylor and Robin Johnstone – after Robin replaced injured pro Vanessa Bauer, the couple were the first to be eliminated after the return of the skate-off
Sir Steve Redgrave and Vicky Ogden – third to be voted off
Ferne McCann and Brendyn Hatfield – second pairing to be voted off
Josh Jones and Tippy Packard – quits show after injury during rehearsals
Chelsee Healey and Andy Buchanan – first to be eliminated
Sarah Storey revealed she had quit on December 6, 2024. The Paralympian was partnered with Sylvain Longchambon.