Dancing On Ice's Hamish Gaman serves us the latest news and gossip from the 2021 rink ⛸️

The Dancing On Ice pro has all the exclusives

Author: Natalie ReesPublished 18th Feb 2021

Dancing On Ice returns for its thirteenth series on Sunday as a brand new line-up of celebrities lace up their skates and hit the rink.

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby will once again return to host the show whilst the ice panel of skating legends Torvill and Dean, performer John Barrowman and Diversity star Ashley Banjo resume their role as judges.

It was announced on Tuesday that Hamish would be forced to withdraw from Dancing on Ice after sustaining a hand injury during training. Faye will continue in the competition and be paired with pro Matt Evers.

Week 5: Rebekah Vardy's show stopping headbanger and the judges' harsh comments for Hamish & Faye

Sunday’s episode saw the remaining contestants (except for injured Jason Donovan) once again take to the ice.

Hamish sustained a hand injury during training prior to Sunday’s live episode. He may be forced to withdraw from the competition if surgery is necessary to protect the future health of his hand.

Hamish and Faye danced to Bruno Mars’ ‘Marry You’ and received a total of 32 out of 40. The judges’ harsh comments reduced the pair to tears and many viewers felt that they were unfair on the couple.

Hamish said, “Constructive criticism is really good to have, but there is a fine line between constructive criticism which we want and being mean.

“Especially in a world we’re in now where we’re all just trying to be kind and supportive and positive with everyone because the world isn’t a great place right now for many people.”

Rebekah Vardy wowed the judges and her fellow contestants after completing the infamous headbanger move whilst dressed as Rachel from Friends!

Rebekah and her partner Andy Buchanan dressed as Rachel and Ross from Friends for the Valentine’s Day special. Rebekah completed the trick successfully and was rewarded by the judges with a respectable score of 32.5 out of 40.

Hamish said, “It’s an iconic move for Dancing on Ice. She did it so well! Who would have thought you would see Rachel from Friends doing a headbanger to finish the routine?

“She did herself so proud, she is getting better every week and its really great to see everyone flourishing and improving week-on-week.”

Week 4: Hamish & Faye are tied at the top with Lady Leshurr & Brendan

After finding themselves in the bottom two with Colin Jackson and his pro partner Klabera Komini, Matt Richardson and Vicky Ogden were voted out of Dancing On Ice.

Comedian Matt only managed to survive one week on the ice after he replaced Rufus Hound who had to quit the show due to Covid-19.

Billie Shepherd also had to leave the competition due to an injury, where she hit her head in practice and became concussed.

In a statement, ITV said, ‘During rehearsals for this week's show, Billie Shepherd has had a fall.

‘Taking the expert advice of the Dancing On Ice medical team, she sadly cannot perform this weekend and will therefore now withdraw from the competition.

‘We wish Billie well as she now takes the time to rest and recover.’

Meanwhile, Hamish Gaman and Faye Brookes are tied at the top of the leaderboard with Lady Leshurr and her professional partner Brendyn Hadfield.

On their Swan Lake inspired routine, Hamish said, “It is so good that Faye is an actor by trade because she embodied the role and it’s a really dark role to play. It was emotionally tough to embody that character but Faye is a real character actor and she takes it all on board.

“She did so well and so happy we were at the top of the leaderboard, it was tough on the body and tough on the brain. We can’t wait for love week next week.”

Hamish added, “Lady Leshurr just brings life to the world. She is brilliant and has so much energy around the studio and on the ice. What she did in that routine was perfect for her and so much fun. I loved it and they full deserve to be at the top with Faye and I.”

Hamish spoke about the physical strain on the contestants after making it to week four. He explained, “Weeks four, five and six is a really hard part of the show for all the contestants, your body is starting to really feel the hours you put in.”

Week 3: Rebekah Vardy and Graham Bell face the skate-off!

In musicals week, Rebekah Vardy and her partner Andy Buchanan found themselves in the dreaded skate-off alongside Graham Bell and his professional partner Karina Manta.

On Rebekah’s performance, Hamish said, “She’s been so strong and did so well by taking on the judges’ feedback from her first skate for this one. I really enjoyed her performance. The shock of being in the skate-off is the worst feeling, but she did herself proud.”

He added, “When you’re part of the show, you get really attached to what you’re doing. You work so hard throughout the week and when your name isn’t called, it’s so emotional. You get so attached to what you’re doing.”

Hamish also said he was gutted to say goodbye to former skier Graham, who is the second celeb to leave the competition after Myleene Klass’ departure last week.

He said, “It’s really sad to lose graham, again he worked so hard and had so much more to give but unfortunately that is the show, someone has to leave as sad as it is.”

We can’t wait for next Sunday’s show!

Week 2: Hamish & Faye are top of the board but we say farewell to Myleene Klass

Week 2 of Dancing On Ice did not disappoint as we were treated to some amazing performances in the rink. However. we also said goodbye to our first celebrity and their professional partner.

Lady Leshurr and her partner Brendyn Hatfield survived the first skate-off as Myleene Klass and her pro partner Lukasz Rozycki fell at the first hurdle. Myleene and Lukasz went on Instagram Live after the show to thank her fans for their support. She said, "We just want to say thank you so much for all your support, all your messages are so lovely. ‘I’ve loved every minute of it. Love this guy. Thank you and honestly all of your messages are so incredible."

Hamish was ecstatic with how his partner Faye Brookes performed on Sunday night's show. He said, "How good was Faye?! I'm speechless. It's unbelievable what Faye did, from being Bambi on the ice to Chris calling her Queen of the ice. That's been her journey so far and I'm buzzing for next week."

Hamish also discussed who he thought was their biggest competition. He added, "I think we saw from the first week, Joe and Vanessa, they're brilliant. He's had the slip up, but he's going to come back stronger."

Gemma Collins made a surprise return to the Dancing On Ice rink, as she was lowered onto the ice on a giant diamond ring. The GC, who took part in the 2019 series of Dancing On Ice, was at the studio to announce a competition. Hamish said it was fantastic to see her again.

"I love the GC, she has brought an iconic moment to Dancing On Ice history. She brought so much entertainment to the show. I mean imagine if she came back again and they brought back like an all stars or returning contestants, how awesome would that be? I love Gemma, her energy and enthusiasm is just unreal."

Week 1: Shock skate-off and news from training

Week 1 of Dancing On Ice saw six celebrities and their partners make their debut performances in the rink whilst the following six celebrities will skate next week.

Lady Leshurr and her pro partner Brendyn Hatfield have been put forward for the skate-off in next week's show and they will therefore have to skate again and face elimination next Sunday.

The pair will face the celebrity skater who ranks bottom of next weekend's scores and votes.

Hamish said: “It was a bit of a shock because that routine, Brendyn’s choreography and the rapping at the beginning, I loved it, it was so much fun. She was used on the ice, skating loads , she smashed it on the night and was top of the leaderboard. She was so pleased with how she skated.”

I think the big thing was, because there was four people at the top, whenever you have a tie with four teams, it basically washes the night. The judges scores are in and it’s all on the public vote. So people didn’t vote for it and now they have ended up in the skate-off.”

“She was really positive after and they get a bit of time to prepare for next week’s show.”

Hamish also caught us up with how his partner Faye Brookes is getting on in training and adapting to lifts and spins.

He said: “You never know whats going to happen when you pick someone up, they either love it or hate it. What happened with Faye? She threw up!”

“We started practicing tricks and we had done three or four and she started to go a bit pale. She said she felt a bit shaky and suddenly said she needed to go. She ran off the ice to the toilet and threw up from the spinning nausea. We had to build in and teach Faye how to do lifts without throwing up.”

Training: Hamish on his skating partner Faye Brookes and THAT injury to Yebin Mok

“From day one of training, Faye has been awesome. She is literally laughing and smiling all the time and we’ve had some spectacular falls!”

He added: “When she started she was literally the definition of Bambi on ice. The first time I said ‘We’ve got to skate backwards’ – the shock on her face!”

“Every time she falls she gets up smiling and laughing and it doesn’t matter if I say, ‘Oh we’re going to try this. I try crazy things and I’ve swung people around by their blades. The one thing about Faye is she is game for anything – even the headbanger!”

Hamish also spoke to Jordan about Graham Bell’s partner Yebin and her injury sustained whilst training.

“It makes you realise that Dancing On Ice is one of the most dangerous shows on TV. That’s the thing, with skating as a pro or celeb, or if you’re experienced, anything can happen. You can trip, fall and that’s pretty much what happened to Graham. Unfortunately Yebin being behind him, she caught her shin on Graham’s blade.”

We can’t wait to watch the first show this weekend!

Who is Hamish Gaman?

Hamish has been a member of the Dancing On Ice cast since 2018. In his first series, the 2015 British national champion was partnered with Olympic athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton, but the pair were unfortunately eliminated in week 4 of the competition.

In 2019, Hamish was partnered with singer Saara Aalto and the pair made the final but finished in third place as former Strictly star James Jordan and his partner Alexandra Schauman took the top spot.

Dancing On Ice 2021

This year’s celebrities skating live and hoping to impress the judges include: Myleene Klass, Rebekah Vardy, Jason Donovan and Denise Van Outen.

In the opening episode, six skaters will compete with their professional partners and the remaining six couples will compete in the following week’s show.

The couple that find themselves at the bottoms of the leaderboard following the first public vote in week one will be in the following week’s dreaded Skate Off along with the pair at the bottom of week two, risking elimination.

Unlike previous series, this year judges will have the power to award their brand new ‘Golden Ticket’ which if awarded, will see that couple saved from the vote and guarantees them a place in third show.

From this week, all remaining couples will be skating each week for survival in the competition.

Who is on Dancing On Ice 2021?

Take a look at the celebrities who will be putting on their sequins and lacing up their skates this year...

Faye Brookes


Denise van Outen - Pulled out of the show due to injury




Sonny Jay


Jason Donovan


Joe-Warren Plant - Pulled out of the show due to COVID-19




Colin Jackson CBE




Myleene Klass


Graham Bell



Rebekah Vardy


Lady Leshurr


Amy Tinkler


Billie Faiers - Pulled out of the show due to injury




Rufus Hound - Pulled out of the show due to COVID-19


When can I watch Dancing On Ice?

There isn't long to wait now as the 13th series of Dancing on Ice returns on Saturday 17th January at 6pm and will air every Sunday evening until a winner is crowned in the grand final.

Who won Dancing On Ice 2020?

Former Eastenders star Joe Swash and his professional partner Alex Murphy took the trophy last year, with bookies' favourite Diversity dancer Perri Kiely taking the runner up spot.

Who are the previous winners of Dancing On Ice?

You can check out all the winners of the skate show here!

Where is Dancing On Ice filmed?

When the nation's favourite show on ice launched in 2006, ITV used the George Lucas stage at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire. However, since it's relaunch in 2018 the show has been filmed at a purpose-built ice rink at RAF Bovingdon in Hertfordshire.

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