Dancing on Ice officially axed by ITV after 19 years

Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby presenting Dancing on Ice. He wears a suit and she wears a red dress.
Dancing on Ice has hung its skates up with no plans for a new turn around the rink (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)
Dancing on Ice has been axed by ITV, it has been confirmed.

The show only just wrapped up its 17th season, and today the broadcaster confirmed it will be put on ice in 2026, with no plans to make another season.

An ITV Spokesperson told Metro: ‘Following another successful series earlier this year, Dancing On Ice will be rested in 2026 with no current plans for another series.

‘We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the cast and crew who have worked on the show since 2006, and over the previous 17 series, for all of their hard work both on and off the ice.’

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Over 200 celebrities have taken part in the show over the 245 episodes, which have required an estimated tens of thousands of sequins since it was first broadcast in 2006.

Earlier this month  Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern announced Sam Aston would lift the trophy after competing against Anton Ferdinand and Michaela Strachan in the final of the most recent series.

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by ITV/Matt Frost/Shutterstock (15046945al) Dan Edgar, Mollie Pearce, Anton Ferdinand, Chelsee Healey, Sam Aston, Charlie Brooks, Chris Taylor, Michaela Strachan, Sir Steve Redgrave, Ferne McCann, Josh Jones. 'Dancing On Ice' TV Show, Series 17, UK - 07 Jan 2025 Dancing on Ice, is a British ITV television series presented by Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby. The series features celebrities and their professional partners figure skating in front of a panel of judges.
High production costs and dwindling viewing figures are thought to be behind the decision (Picture: ITV/Matt Frost/Shutterstock)
But days later, rumours began to whirl that the show’s future was in jeopardy after dwindling viewing figures and high production costs.

Ahead of the final, staffers were reportedly warned that the show was over unless there were some sensational finale viewing figures.

They told The Sun: ‘Dancing On Ice is an expensive production and there are questions over whether ITV is getting bang for its buck.

‘Staff working on it aren’t holding out much hope.’

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock (15176952sk) Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby 'Dancing on Ice' TV Show, Series 17, Episode 9, Hertfordshire, UK - 09 Mar 2025
Holly Willoughby is reportedly being eyed up by the BBC for a Blind Date reboot (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)
They also claimed there was ‘no denying’ the format had become ‘tired’ and they were failing to attract big names so if Dancing On Ice continues, it will need a major revamp.

‘Changes are needed and it’s likely it’ll be rested and given a new lease of life,’ the source added.

In response, an ITV spokesperson told Metro: ‘The Dancing on Ice team has been fully concentrating on the much anticipated series finale last night and therefore no decision has been made.’

How many people watched Dancing on Ice?

Series 1 of Dancing on Ice in 2006 attracted an audience of 9.8million.

Figures peaked at 10.2m viewers in 2011’s series 6, and series 17 this year, with just 3.3m viewers tuning in, saw its lowest ratings ever.

A source also told The Mirror earlier this year: ‘We need bums on seats, but the ratings have dropped to a point where it’s difficult to justify the cost.’