Dancing On Ice returns for its 15th season in just a few days, with a whole host of new celebrities taking to the rink.
The long-running ITV show features former EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer, Love Island’s Ekin-Su Culculoglu, 28, and Liberty X’s Michelle Heaton, 43, all hoping to be crowned champions.
Since its first episode in 2006, the show has been hit with a whole host of controversies, from romance rumors to bullying allegations.
Ahead of the latest series, Web takes a look at some of the series’ most shocking scandals…
Scandals: The shocking scandals of Dancing On Ice: From backstage romances to broken bones and bullying Web takes a look at the show’s biggest controversies ahead of the new series (Samia Ghadie and Sylvain Longchambon pictured in 2017)
injuries on the ice
Skating is a notoriously dangerous sport and participants are constantly aware of the dangers involved in participating.
Brookside actress Jennifer Ellison, 39, accidentally hit her head with her skate in 2012 while trying to perform a tricky maneuver.
Despite the injury sustained during the “Scorpion Kick,” she bravely completed her freestyle and scored her highest score to date.
Injury: Skating is a notoriously dangerous sport, and participants are constantly aware of the dangers involved in participating (Jennifer Ellison was pictured injured in 2012).
The blonde left the ring as soon as her routine ended to receive medical attention as blood was pouring from her head.
In 2006, England goalkeeper David Seaman accidentally dropped his partner Pam O’Connor during rehearsals.
The footballer tried to twirl his partner around on her feet only to hit her face on the ice and fall to the hospital.
Accident: In 2006, England goalkeeper David Seaman accidentally dropped his partner Pam O’Connor during rehearsals
Ouch! Brookside actress Jennifer Ellison, 39, accidentally hit her head with her skate in 2012 while trying to perform a tricky maneuver
bullying allegations
Supermodel Caprice Bourett accused pro Hamish Gaman of bullying after she left the show after two weeks in 2020.
She was reportedly “ready to sue ITV over the aftermath” and it was claimed the skater “gaslighted” her in tough training sessions.
Caprice reportedly complained about Hamish and the duo were assigned a supervisor to oversee their rehearsals.
Rehearsals: Supermodel Caprice Bourett accused pro Hamish Gaman of bullying after she left the show after two weeks in 2020 (pictured together)
Despite the allegations, ITV said they “found no evidence of bullying” on the show.
ITV told Web at the time: “We take allegations of bullying very seriously but have found no evidence on Dancing On Ice and we firmly refute any suggestion to the contrary.
“We are very proud of the team, both on and off screen. They produce a fantastic show and we are committed to giving full support to everyone working on the programme.”
Complaint: Reports claimed she was “ready to sue ITV over the aftermath” and it was claimed the skater “gassed” her in a tough training session.
arguments on the screen
Former judge Jason Gardiner, 50, left the show four years ago after a series in which he clashed with contestant Gemma Collins.
The drama between Jason and Gemma played out in the 2019 series when they went at each other’s throats during the criticism.
Slanging match: Former judge Jason Gardiner, 50, left the show four years ago after a row with contestant Gemma Collins on a series
Allegations: It finally reached boiling point when the 41-year-old TOWIE star accused the judge of ‘selling stories’ about her and her apparent poor work ethic
It finally reached boiling point when the 41-year-old TOWIE star accused the judge of “selling stories” about her and her apparent poor work ethic.
The uproar eventually cost Jason his job on the show and he was replaced by John Barrowman, 55, in 2018 – before facing the swipe amid allegations of inappropriate behavior.
Backstage romances
Just like its rival Strictly Come Dancing, the ITV show is no stranger to the dreaded curse and stars finding love with their professional partners.
Coronation Street’s Samia Ghadie split from her co-star Will Thorp and found happiness with French skater Syvain Longchambon – with whom she now has a son.
Love: Coronation Street’s Samia Ghadie split from her co-star Will Thorp and found happiness with French skater Syvain Longchambon – with whom she now shares a son (pictured in 2013)
Split: The budding romance also saw Syvain split from Hollyoaks’ Jennifer Metcalfe, 39, after also meeting her on the ITV show (pictured in 2010)
The budding romance also saw Syvain split from Hollyoaks’ Jennifer Metcalfe, 39, after also meeting her on the ITV show.
Meanwhile, EastEnders’ Shona McGarty and former co-star Matt Lapinskas ended their romance during his time on the series, allegedly due to his relationship with partner Brianne Delcourt.
The actor dated the pro for a year before the stunner dumped him over cheating allegations.
Romance: Meanwhile, EastEnders’ Shona McGarty and former co-star Matt Lapinskas ended their relationship during his time on the series, allegedly because he “became close” to his partner Brianne Delcourt.
David Seaman, 59, also found love with pro Frankie Poultney, 49, after returning to the show a second later and making her his third wife.
Judges fight for it
One of the show’s most memorable moments was Jason Gardiner’s argument with head coach Karen Barber.
After Karen tried to constructively criticize Johnson Beharry VC, the sharp-tongued Jason stepped in with a defeat.
Arguments: One of the show’s most memorable moments was the on-air argument between Jason Gardiner and head coach Karen Barber
Attacking the former judge, he said, “Karen, if your opinion mattered, you’d still be on the panel.” While Karen clapped, calling him “offensive” and questioning what he had contributed to the show.
When he got into trouble with bosses again, Karen reportedly saved him from being fired.
DANCING ON ICE 2023: MEET THE PARTICIPANTS
PATSY PALMER
AGE: 50
PROFESSION: Actress and DJ
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I’ve turned down before because I was scared, but when I turned 50 I made a pact to get out of my confrontational zone. ‘
EKIN SU CULCULOGLU
AGE: 28
PROFESSION: Love Island star
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I have amazing news for you. I’m so excited I can’t wait to get on the ice and skate. Stay tuned and see you on the ice.’
MOLLIE GALLAGHER
AGE: 24
PROFESSION: Actress
WHAT DID YOU SAID?: “I don’t have the best coordination, so people laugh when they find out, but I don’t want to spend my life saying, ‘I can’t do this, I can’t do this. “
Joey Essex
AGE: 32
PROFESSION: Ex-TOWIE star
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I’m so excited. I wanted something structured in my life that was more serious than what I usually do.’
CARLEY STENSON
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Actress and West End star
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I’m so excited to be able to learn how to dance on ice! I’m scared but can’t wait – I just want to make the most of this whole experience.”
SIVA KANESWARAN
AGE: 33
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I want to learn to skate and make my family proud of me and put on a show for all to see.”
JOHANNES FASHANU
AGE: 60
PROFESSION: Former soccer player and expert
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I’m definitely going to win it. And that might be one of the scariest things I’ve ever signed up for, but I couldn’t be more up for the challenge!”
NILE WILSON
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: Olympic gymnast
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I haven’t skated much but I’m so excited for the opportunity. I’m so excited to get into this routine and feel like an athlete again.
JAMES LEE WILLIAM AKA THE VIVIENNE
AGE: 29
PROFESSION: Drag queen
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “To be the first drag artist to compete in one of the UK’s major reality competition shows is an honor and a huge step forward for queer representation on television.”
DARREN HARRIOT
PROFESSION: Comedian
AGE: 34
WHAT DID YOU SAID?: “I have huge feet, I can’t skate and I can’t dance. My family has already made bets – they’re making bets that I’ll fall in the first episode!”
MICHELLE HEATON
AGE: 43
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID YOU SAY?: “I’ve always wanted to do it but I know the way I was 18 months ago I would never have been able to complete anything so I’m really very grateful ‘that I got it this year when I’m much stronger.’