PHILLIP Schofield will present Dancing On Ice solo for the first time as Holly Willoughby has been forced to miss tonight's semi-final due to Covid.
The presenter, 41, will not be beside her co-host Phillip Schofield as she stays at home to isolate.
A spokesman for the show said: "Unfortunately, Holly Willoughby is unable to host tonight's show after testing positive for Covid-19. We look forward to Holly returning for the Dancing on Ice Live Final."
The final stars, Regan Gascoigne, Kye Whyte, Connor Ball, Kimberley Wyatt and Brendan Cole battle it out to reach the final.
The news comes as ITV has re-jigged its schedules and put Paul O'Grady: For The Love Of Dogs in the 7pm slot, with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield broadcasting live straight afterwards.
That means Dancing On Ice will not air until 7.30pm – with anyone switching on at the normal time getting ITV News instead.
Read our Dancing on Ice live blog below for the latest updates…
- Louis Allwood
Kye Whyte wades into show ‘fix’ row ahead of semi-final
UNLIKE his four competitors in the Dancing On Ice semis, Kye Whyte is not known for his dancing.
But the Olympic BMX silver medallist is not fazed by the showbiz background of rivals Kimberly Wyatt, Brendan Cole, Connor Ball and Regan Gascoigne.
Heading into Sunday’s showdown, the 22-year-old says: “I love being the underdog, I love it so much.
"I’m just trying to live up to all their standards.
“It makes me enjoy skating more, knowing my scores ain’t too far away from them guys — even though I reckon if they could get higher than a ten, they probably would be.”
Every year viewers claim the show is “fixed” because contestants with a performance background have an edge.
- Louis Allwood
Inside Kimberly Wyatt’s bitter feud with Nicole Scherzinger
DANCING On Ice star Kimberly Wyatt has been all smiles as she's performed on the ice alongside skater Mark Hanretty.
It hasn't always meant the Pussycat Dolls star has had her claws away – as the singer has had a long-running feud with one of her band mates.
Kimberly, 40, took to the ice for the first time this year as part of the ITV skating competition, seeing the singer out of her comfort zone.
The star has been wowing the judges with her prowess on the ice, alongside professional skating star Mark, 36.
Behind the scenes, her fans may not know about the long-standing feud she has had with X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger.
The former band mates fell out following the group's split back in 2009.
- Louis Allwood
Ashley Banjo admits Ben Foden’s exit was a shock
DANCING On Ice judge Ashley Banjo was most shocked when Ben Foden was eliminated from the show.
Ben, 40, was the first celebrity to get booted off the 2022 series in an exit which even surprised the judges.
"His lifts were strong and he and his partner Robin [Johnstone] executed the routine really well," Ashley told the Mirror.
"But him leaving first just showed us how tough the competition is in this series. Everyone is brilliant."
Ben's exit wasn't without its controversy with his wife Jackie slamming the show.
Jackie slammed the ITV series as a popularity contest and said the worst skater managed to stay in the competition.
- Louis Allwood
Who has left Dancing on Ice 2022?
So far, there has been three eliminations from Dancing On Ice 2022.
Here's who has been eliminated so far:
- Week Two – Ben Foden
- Week Three – Ria Hebden
- Week Four – Rachel Stevens
- Week Five – Liberty Poole
- Week Six – Mark 'Bez' Berry
- Week Seven – Sally Dynevor
- Week Eight – Stef Reid
Who's in the Dancing On Ice line-up?
A string of celebrities will perform each week with their professional partner in the hopes of making it to the final and being crowned the winner.
They will skate live in an attempt to impress the judges and the viewers at home with their rehearsed routines.
But which celebrities are starring in this year's series? Here's the full list…
- Kimberly Wyatt (The Pussycat Dolls)
- Liberty Poole (Love Island) ELIMINATED
- Sally Dynevor (Coronation Street) ELIMINATED
- Connor Ball (The Vamps)
- Ria Hebden (Lorraine) ELIMINATED
- Ben Foden (English Rugby Union) ELIMINATED
- Regan Gascoigne (Singer/dancer, son of Paul Gascoigne)
- Mark 'Bez' Berry (Happy Mondays) ELIMINATED
- Rachel Stevens (S Club 7) ELIMINATED
- Stef Reid (track and field Paralympian) ELIMINATED
- Kye White (Olympic BMX rider)
- Brendan Cole (Former Strictly Come Dancing pro)
What time does Dancing On Ice start?
Dancing On Ice 2022 made its highly anticipated return on Sunday, January 16, instead of its usual slot in the first week of January.
The series will then run over 10 weeks, with new episodes airing every Sunday on ITV – with the final likely to take place in March.
Normally, the show kicks off at 6.30pm, but it will be moved forward tonight.
ITV filled their 7pm slot with Paul O'Grady: For The Love Of Dogs, moving Dancing on Ice to 7.30pm.
Phillip recently had to miss the show for Covid
Holly's absence comes just weeks after Phillip had to miss the show with the same illness.
Stephen Mulhern, 44, filled in for him then, but the ITV star is recovering from an operation and isn't on hand to step in tonight.
Holly will now miss this week’s This Morning and will be replaced by Alison Hammond, Josie Gibson and Rochelle Humes throughout the week.
Holly will miss tonight's show
A spokesman for the show broke the news of Holly's absence earlier today.
They said in a statement: "Unfortunately, Holly Willoughby is unable to host tonight's show after testing positive for Covid-19. We look forward to Holly returning for the Dancing on Ice Live Final."
Phillip Schofield reveals he’s ‘gutted’ Holly Willoughby is missing Dancing On Ice
PHILLIP Schofield has revealed he's gutted pal Holly Willoughby is missing tonight's Dancing On Ice due to coronavirus.
The TV star will host the semi-final show alone after Holly was struck down with virus just hours before the live show.
- Louis Allwood
Who is still in Dancing On Ice?
Those still taking part are:
- Kimberly Wyatt – Pussycat Doll star
- Connor Ball – star of The Vamps
- Kye Whyte – BMX Olympic hero
- Brendan Cole – Former Strictly star
- Regan Gascoigne – Son of legendary footballer Paul Gascoigne
Who won Dancing On Ice 2021?
Radio presenter Sonny Jay Muharrem was crowned the 13th winner of the show when he came out on top in the 2021 series.
In the final, Olympian Colin Jackson was voted off in the first half, leaving Sonny Jay and actress Faye Brookes as the top two.
They then both went on to perform the iconic Bolero before the phone lines closed for good, and Phil and Holly announced Sonny had been crowned the victor.
Who are the Dancing On Ice judges?
Existing judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean and Ashley Banjo will return as judges – however, Arlene Phillips is set to replace John Barrowman.
A TV insider said: “The fact that Arlene is a mature woman with decades of experience in the dance world is seen as a huge asset for Dancing on Ice.”
The judging panel had a shake-up when it was revealed Barrowman had been axed from the show.
ITV was under pressure to axe the judge when accusations of sexual harassment surfaced from his time on the set of Doctor Who.
He later admitted to exposing himself several times on set, but denied any sexual intent, dismissing the act as “tomfoolery”.
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