Dancing On Ice viewers predict winner after 'incredible' first performance

Viewers were very impressed!

Author: Alex RossPublished 13th Jan 2025

Dancing On Ice returned to our screens for the 17th series last night (Sunday 12th January), and whilst only half of this year's celebs took to the ice to perform, viewers think they've already spotted the winner!

As well as performances from the likes of Sam Aston, Chelsee Healey, Chris Taylor, Anton Ferdinand and Ferne McCann, it was TV host Michaela Strachan who really left both the judges and viewers at home seriously impressed by her first performance alongside partner Mark Hanretty.

Michaela and Mark performed to 'Let's Do It' by Cole Porter, and scored a huge 30.5 from judges Motsi Mabuse, Ashley Banjo, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, putting her top of the leaderboard for Week One.

After seeing her impressive routine, fans of the hit show were quick to express their love for Michaela's performance, with many predicting she could go on to become the first female winner of the show in 12 years.

One wrote: 'I literally thought at the start that she was gonna be out in the first couple weeks. But watching her she has shocked me and I think she will be in the final lifting the trophy ❤️❤️🔥'. (sic)

Another wrote: 'Winner right there. Completely natural. Second eldest on the ice, but flowed on the ice like she’s been doing it forever', with somebody else writing: 'Was absolutely beautiful performance totally deserved high score'. (sic)

Somebody else commented: 'It’s about time a female celebrity won the show, it hasn’t happened since the show returned in 2018. Michaela is a very talented lady, l saw her in pantomime back in 1996. It would be great if she won it'.

Another added: 'Wow, absolutely brilliant. My favourite of all the contestants so far. Well done 🙌👏', with another adding: 'So impressed 👏👏👏👏 very inspiring too ❤️'. (sic)

Check out all of the celebs taking part in Dancing On Ice:

Ferne McCann

Age: 34
Best known for: Reality TV star and presenter


Ferne said: "I'm so excited, it's going to be a huge challenge but I'm excited for the glitz and glamour of the show."

Mollie Pearce

Age: 22
Best known for: The Traitors star


Mollie said: "It will be fun, I want to challenge myself, I'm ready for the challenge."

Sir Steve Redgrave

Age: 62
Best known for: Olympic rowing legend


Sir Steve said: "It's like going back to being an athlete again, I've been competing most of my life."

Sam Aston

Age: 31
Best known for: Coronation Street actor


Sam said: "I'm nervous but excited to get going. It's going to be nice for the public to see me for me rather than Chesney."

Charlie Brooks

Age: 43
Best known for: Actress


Charlie said: "I'm going to embrace the spray tan. All I want to do is enjoy it and try not to break my leg."

Josh Jones

Age: 30
Best known for: Comedian


Josh said: "I've not got any skating experience whatsoever, I did it once for a date years ago and I wasn't very good, I was holding onto the railings the entire time and we aren't together now. My dancing isn't great either, for a gay man I have no rhythm, I struggle to clap along to a beat so this will be fun."

Anton Ferdinand

Age: 39
Best known for: Former footballer


Anton said: "I decided to sign up for the show because it's a challenge first and foremost. I'm in a new phase of my life since retiring from football and the one of the things I've missed about playing is the structure it gives you. Dancing On Ice will give me that focus but I'm also doing it for my daughter because she loves dance and performing arts. My son always had my football to shout about so this will give my daughter and me something to share."

Chelsee Healey

Age: 36
Best known for: Actress


Chelsee said: : "I'm ready, I'm good to go, let's go! I've got a bit of rhythm but skating on ice is completely different, I'm excited. I'm most excited for the live shows, getting to perform live every week will give me a buzz, I can't wait for the live shows."

Dan Edgar

Age: 34
Best known for: TOWIE star


Dan said: "I'm looking forward to it but the thought of the live shows and performing is very real. I like to think I can ice skate a little bit but I'm a terrible dancer so that bit is going to need some work."

Chris Taylor

Age: 34
Best known for: Love Island star


Chris said: "I'm somewhere between absolutely terrified and very excited and I keep flitting between the two quite aggressively throughout the day. I've not even started stretching yet, I need to. I can skate but my dad got the snakehips, unfortunately I didn't inherit that genetically from him."

Michaela Strachan

Age: 58
Best known for: TV host


Michaela said: "It's going to be a big challenge the last time I was on ice was four years ago when I took the kids, I'm not one of those people who holds onto the sides I guess because I was trained as a dancer I've got a bit of balance. I've always been one of those people who says yes, I'll do that."

No elimination took place during the launch show, with viewers not being given the chance to vote until the rest of the celebs have performed next weekend.

Last night's launch show also saw hosts Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern pay a touching tribute to former contestant The Vivienne, who tragically lost their life earlier this month.

Following a routine by this year's professional skaters, Holly said: "Before we move on, like us, many of you will have been saddened by the tragic news of The Vivienne’s passing last weekend.

"Now, they were a huge part of our show, making it all the way to the final in 2023.

"They’ll be very sorely missed, and our thoughts are with The Vivienne’s loved ones at this time. So sad."

Dancing On Ice airs every Sunday night on ITV/STV.

Now read:

Everything you need to know about Dancing On Ice 2025

Dancing On Ice 2025: Which celebs are taking part?

All of the TV shows we can’t wait to return

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