Dancing On Ice 2025: Live updates as celebrity skating contest returns to ITV and bosses make major change

Dancing On Ice will pay a poignant tribute to former contestant The Vivienne on Sunday’s launch show.

The gesture comes after it was revealed that the Drag Race star – who took part in the BBC programme in 2023 – had died aged 32 on January 5 2025.

Dancing On Ice will be back on our screens for its 17th series this week and the competition series will pay its respects to The Vivienne, according to The Sun.

A show insider told the publication: ‘The Vivienne was a trailblazer and was the first Drag artist to appear on Dancing On Ice.

‘ITV wants to pay their respects to them and will put out a tribute on Sunday night’s show. The team working on the show loved Viv and wanted to do something to honour them.’

• Read the full story by Lucy Murgatroyd and Laura Parkin here

Coronation Street’s Sam Aston is the most likely contestant to win ITV’s Dancing on Ice, according to new data analysis.

The series, which is in its 17th year, is back on screens on Sunday January 12 at 6.45pm.

Sam joins the likes of TOWIE’s Fearne McCann, The Traitors star Mollie Pearce and Chelsee Heeley in forming the line up.

Ahead of the first episode, odds experts at Slotozilla have analysed data from the show’s previous winners to reveal what makes a winning contestant.

The research which uses 15 years worth of data analysed a range of factors including the contestant’s profession, hometown, age, gender and more.

• Read the full story by Amelia Wynne here

Dancing On Ice has changed the structure of the show in a huge shake up designed ‘to avoid upsetting the celebs’.

ITV bosses are said to have changed the dance-off as the stars will no longer have to skate a new performance if they find themselves in the bottom two, according to The Sun.

Usually, the celebrities not only had to learn a routine for their weekly performance but would also have to put together a dance for if they found themselves voted into the bottom two.

Now it is believed that the stars will simply have to just reperform what they put forward for the main competition.

• Read the full story by Chloe Louise here

Let’s meet the celebrities and their partners ahead of tonight’s launch.

Profession: Reality TV star

Partner: Brendyn Hatfield

What did they say?: ‘I’m so excited, it’s going to be a huge challenge but I’m excited for the glitz and glamour of the show.’

Profession: Former Olympic rower

What did they say? ‘It’s like going back to being an athlete again, I’ve been competing most of my life.’

What did they say?: ‘I’ve skated when I was a kid and with mulled wine at Christmas. Until I get on the ice I have no idea how I’m going to be. I’m not that strong.’

Profession: Footballer and pundit

What did they say?: Dancing On Ice will give me that focus but I’m also doing it for my daughter because she loves dance and performing arts.’

What did they say?: ‘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.’

What did they say?: ‘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.

Profession: Reality TV star and model

What did they say?: ‘It will be fun, I want to challenge myself, I’m ready for the challenge.’

Partner: Molly Beth Lanaghan

What did they say?: ‘Anyone at work who I’ve spoken to has done it have all kind of the same thing that it is a great experience and it is really hard, and it’s tiring and tough but it is brilliant as well.’

What did they say? ‘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.’

Profession: Television presenter

What did they say?: ‘It’s going to be a big challenge, I think the last time I was on ice was 14 years ago, because I trained as a dancer, I’ve got a bit of balance, but I have no idea whether I’m going to be good.’

What did they say?: ‘I’m looking forward to it but the thought of the live shows and performing is very real.’

Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage of Dancing on Ice 2025 which launches on ITV tonight.

Presenters Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern are returning to the rink as this year’s cast of celebrities lace up their skates to show off their moves on the ice.

Join us as we guide you through tonight’s launch show with live updates, reaction plus the most striking pictures and videos from the episode.

Let us know your first impressions on our celebrity skaters in our comments section.

The show starts on ITV at 6.30pm.