Dancing On Ice is slammed for 'overstretching the NHS'

‘This needs to stop or change’: Dancing On Ice is slammed for ‘overstretching the NHS’ after THREE contestants are rushed to A&E before launch night

Dancing On Ice has been slammed for putting pressure on an already overburdened National Health Service after three contestants required medical assistance before the show had launched. 

The popular ITV staple returned with a 13th series on Sunday evening, but injuries to two professional skaters and a celebrity contestant have overshadowed rehearsals.    

Both Yebin Mok and Andy Buchanan required hospital treatment after suffering injury while rehearsing with respective partners Graham Bell and Rebekah Vardy, while Denise Van Outen dislocated her shoulder prior to Sunday’s launch.   

Controversy: Dancing On Ice has been slammed for putting pressure on an already overburdened NHS after three contestants required medical assistance before the show had launched

Despite show venue Bovington Airfield having an on-site medic, it’s understood that all three were sent to A&E after sustaining their injuries, with Mok – who suffered a deep gash to the leg – remaining in hospital overnight. 

A faction of viewers have since criticised the show for putting undue pressure on doctors and nurses as they struggle to cope following a dramatic spike in coronavirus infections across the United Kingdom. 

Taking to Twitter on Sunday evening, one concerned fan wrote: ‘This needs to stop or change. We need to protect our NHS not put additional and completely avoidable strain on it.’

Painful: Denise Van Outen dislocated her shoulder while rehearsing with professional partner Matt Evers ahead of Sunday evening’s show 

Not happy: A faction of viewers have since criticised the show for putting undue pressure on doctors and nurses as they struggle to cope following a dramatic spike in coronavirus infections

The same fan added: ‘Love @dancingonice but already seen at least 3 admissions to A&E at a time when the NHS is deciding who lives or dies because of how critically stretched they are now… 

A second wrote:  ‘UK Gov: don’t put unnecessary strain on the NHS… ITV: let’s strap knives to celebrities’ feet.’ 

Commenting on the show’s growing injury list, a third commented: ‘I found it really upsetting watching the program @dancingonicelast night noticing how many people on the show had to go to A&E at a time when our @NHSuk is so overstretched!’ 

‘Is this responsible? Surely @ITV could afford to pay for private medical treatment instead.’ 

Nasty: Professional skater Andy Buchanan needed treatment after being struck in the face with celebrity partner Rebekah Vardy’s ice skate while training 

Professional skater Yebin Mok praised the NHS from her hospital bed after she was stabbed in the shin by celebrity partner Graham Bell’s ice skate in a freak accident, leaving her tendons exposed. 

Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Yebin, 34, shared a snap of herself and wrote: ‘#NHS appreciation post!!! Just massive thank you the staff of Watford hospital!

‘Doctors, surgeons, nurses, scrub nurses, operating team, anesthetists, urgent care, recovery care. They were all so kind, so caring and looked after me so well on my overnight on Monday. 

‘They truly are heroes! So grateful for the care I received. And my leg is feeling so much better already thanks to them.

Worrying: Professional skater Yebin Mok was left in agony after being slashed in the leg by celebrity partner Graham Bell’s ice skate 

‘They truly are heroes’: She later praised the NHS from her hospital bed after requiring an overnight stay in hospital 

‘Had a glimpse of what @drtom_onice and all of our dr. Family members and friends who works in NHS might go through in their day.

‘And I’m just thankful & proud. You guys are simply amazing. We citizens are lucky to have you.’ 

Speaking after the injury, Graham told MailOnline: ‘I fell when we were training on Monday and Yebin my pro-dance partner fell onto the back of my skate.

Statement: Yebin added that she’ll be ‘like a nervous mom at the side of the rink’ while supporting Graham 

Worrying: The skater will be out for ‘quite a few weeks’ while she recovers following the ‘freak accident’

‘She was cut quite badly on the shin and needed an operation to clean and stitch up the wound. She spent Monday night in Watford hospital and was released yesterday, luckily there was no nerve or tendon damage.

‘She has been told two to four weeks before she can skate again, so Dancing on Ice have organised for a replacement, Karina Mantra, to come in for the first few performances.

‘It’s going to be really tough learning our routines again with someone new, but Yebin will be on hand to coach us both. It is now a massive incentive for me to stay in the show so that I can get Yebin back on the ice!’

In a separate incident fellow skater Any Buchanan needed treatment after being struck in the face by partner Rebekah Vardy’s skate.  

ITV declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.  

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