2021 series of Dancing On Ice cut short
The final has been brought forward
Last updated 26th Feb 2021
Just days before Dancing On Ice returns to our screens following last weekend's postponement, ITV bosses have today (Friday 26th February) announced the final has been brought forward by one week.
Confirming the 2021 final will now take place on Sunday 14th March, an ITV spokesperson said, "ITV have taken the decision to move the final of Dancing on Ice forward by one week. The competition’s final will now take place on Sunday 14th March.
"Our production team and cast have delivered a fantastic show during incredibly challenging times. Continuing to make the best TV for our viewers is our top priority and we look forward to the rest of the series, on air from this Sunday at 6pm.”
See which celebs have been forced to quit the 2021 series:
Denise van Outen - Shoulder injury
TV personality Denise van Outen was forced to quit the show after dislocating her shoulder in rehearsals. Despite managing to still perform in Week One, Denise was later forced to leave the show following a number of scans.
She broke the news on social media, telling her fans, ''GUTTED! If you've been watching dancingonice you will be aware that just over a week ago I had a nasty fall and injured my shoulder.
'I managed to skate my first dance with themattevers on the live show through a gritted smile because the pain was unbearable. I've tried as hard as I can to carry on because I love the show and the amazing team in front and behind the cameras. Initially we thought with rest I could make a return to the ice, but a recent MRI scan has shown that I have 3 bone fractures as well as a partial dislocation. OUCH! No wonder I've been in agony.
'themattevers has been the most incredible support and skate partner (a true friend) and I'm so grateful for his expertise in teaching me the basics. I just wish I was well enough to learn all the fabulous tricks my injury won't allow me to do. Chair dancing on Ice with a massive pie won't get us points on the leaderboard 😂.
'I'm actually proud of what I've achieved ( not much, lowest scores so far 😂) . If you don't mind I'm going to give myself a couple of points for bravery for doing cartwheels on Ice at 46 with broken bones 👍🏻😂❄️. I wish all the celebs, pros and judges the best of luck for the rest of the series. I'm rooting for you all. Bunch of legends ⛸ #dancingonice2021.' (sic)
Rufus Hound - Covid-19
After missing a week due to self-isolating, comedian Rufus Hound was later forced to quit the show after testing positive for Covid-19.
Rufus told his fans on Twitter, 'I will no longer be participating in @dancingonice. COVID is - as I'm sure we're all well aware - a b-----d and sadly the world isn't short of those'. (sic)
An ITV spokesperson then said, "We can confirm that following a positive test result, Rufus Hound is unable to return to Dancing On Ice this weekend. Although Rufus and his partner Robin's time on the ice has been all too brief, they can be truly proud of their achievements. We thank them for all their hard work and commitment to the show."
Billie Faiers - Head injury
Former TOWIE star Billie Faiers also quit the show due to injury! The mum-of-two slipped and hit her head off the ice, meaning she only performed once.
Taking to her Instagram page on Sunday 7th February, Billie told her fans, 'Our first and last dance 💔⛸ I am so so sad that our @dancingonice journey has come to an end after an accident in rehearsals on Friday causing me a head injury, forcing us out of the competition 😔.
'@markhanretty A true friend for life, you have been the most incredible partner throughout all of this, I mean you taught me to skate for one 😆 thank you for being so kind, supportive, patient, understanding, and thank you for being such a happy, positive person when I needed it the most 💔 it's been a tough couple of weeks personally for me and coming back to skating this week has really been a great distraction❤️ I am so so gutted we can't perform tonight, we worked so so hard on this week's routine 😔 However, although it has sadly been cut short , being part of @dancingonice has been the best experience, I have met some wonderful people and I actually feel quite proud of myself that I pushed myself so far out of my comfort zone and faced some of my biggest fears 🥰
'I'm going to miss being part of this incredible show so much 💔 I wish all of the rest of cast so much luck and I will be cheering you all on every Sunday, you are all amazing !!! 🌟✨ 🙌🏻👏🏼⛸🎉❤️
'Thank you to everyone for your kind messages and support throughout all of this ❤️ It means so much to me and I am so grateful ❤️'. (sic)
Joe-Warren Plant - Covid-19
Following Rufus Hound's positive Covid-19 test, Emmerdale actor Joe-Warren Plant was the second celeb to contract the virus.
In a statement released by the actor, Joe-Warren said, "Having tested positive for Covid this now means the end of the competition for Vanessa and I.
"I have loved every minute of being a part of Dancing On Ice and I am disappointed as I feel I had so much more to give and was working hard to perfect each performance. Thank you so much to Vanessa for being a fantastic teacher and although its been cut short, I've thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Thank you to all the crew who have been brilliant and especially thanks to the other cast members, they have been hugely supportive and I wish them all the very best."
Jason Donovan - Back injury
Actor and singer Jason Donovan is the latest celeb to quit the 2021 series, following an on-going back injury.
Posting a video to his socials to announce the news, Jason said, "Guys, I am devastated to announce that due to this ongoing back issues that occurred on Dancing On Ice about 10 days ago, and at the advice of my medical team in the show that unfortunately I can't continue in the competition, and therefore have to withdraw. It's a nightmare and I'm completely gutted.
"We put so much work in to getting to this point, but I have to respect my health, and I have to respect my body moving forward. That is my biggest priority. I want to thank everyone at Dancing On Ice - Jane, Chris, the judges, Phil, Holly, the production team, the runners, and most importantly, within that, I want to thank the celebrities who've become friends, and also the pros, who just do such a great job."
He continued, "I want to thank the fans for voting for me - sometimes those costumes were colourful and sometimes those movements were slightly dubious but we tried, we went out there and gave it our best.
"Most importantly, I want to thank Alex, my dance partner who has been absolutely a beacon of support. She's believed in me when, at times, I didn't even believe in myself. She's been patient, and that time that we've spent together on the ice rehearsing and getting these routines together has just been... To me, what this whole experience has been about and that friendship that I have with her goes beyond the show itself.
"I want to wish everyone the best for the series. I will be sitting at home on Sunday night, and watching you all and cheering you all on. So in the meantime please stay safe. Stay healthy, and take care."
Yebin Mok
It's not just the celebs who've been forced to leave the show, a number of professional skaters have also picked up nasty injuries.
Ahead of the first live show, Graham Bell's pro skater Yebin Mok was rushed to hospital following a freak accident where she was 'stabbed' by the blade on her skate, giving her an injury so severe that it 'exposed her tendons'.
Yebin was replaced on the show by Robin Johnstone.
Hamish Gaman
Faye Brookes' pro partner Hamish Gaman was also forced to quit the show following a nasty hand injury he picked up in rehearsals.
An ITV spokesperson said, "Sadly we can confirm that Hamish Gaman, who has been partnered with Faye Brookes, has had to withdraw from the competition. We thank him for all his hard work and wish him the very best as he takes some time out to allow his injury to fully heal."
Hamish was replaced on the show by Matt Evers.
Although bosses did everything in their power to ensure the 2021 series could go ahead, the popular skating show has been thrown into chaos over the last month, with five celebrities forced to quit the show with injuries and Covid-19.
It's not only the celebs picking up injuries either! Both Hamish Gaman and Yebin Mok had to make the tough decisions to leave the show after injuring themselves in training.
Fans will be pleased to know that a live show will air this coming Sunday, with hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield confirming it is 'Movie Week'.
As well as the remaining celebs due to perform, Torvill and Dean are also due to perform a brand new routine!
Dancing On Ice returns to ITV on Sunday 28th February.
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