THE Dancing On Ice finale brought in the lowest ever viewing figures, amid rumours the show will be axed.
Coronation Street star Sam Ashton was crowned champ in Sunday night’s emotional final, after battling it out against former West Ham United legend Anton Ferdinand, 40, and Springwatch host Michaela Strachan.
The Dancing On Ice finale brought in the lowest ever viewing figures, amid rumours the show will be axed[/caption]
Coronation Street star Sam Ashton was crowned champ[/caption]
But it was the Chesney Brown actor that came out on top after he impressed judges and viewers with his performances.
Despite the nail-biting finale, the show, which is fronted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern, received its lowest ever viewing figures of 2.7million.
This makes the final the least watched ever, and viewing figures have crashed from a peak of 12million.
Dancing On Ice has been on screens for nearly 20 years, but insiders say bosses will make a decision this week about the future of the ITV mainstay.
The show has been on our screens since 2006 and had a break in 2014.
It returned four years later with the legendary Hayne Torvill and Christopher Dean swapping their roles to become mentors instead of judges.
Insiders add that it is costly to produce and may need a revamp — just as it did on its relaunch in 2018 after being withdrawn four years earlier.
A source said: “The staffers on Dancing On Ice are saying the show is over and claim they’ve been told as much.
“It’s a mainstay of ITV’s schedule and viewing figures are remarkably less than they were but they still had almost three million watch the launch show.
“There’s no denying, though, that the format has become tired and they’re not getting the big names they once did.
“Changes are needed and it’s likely it’ll be rested and given a new lease of life.”
The source added: “The show’s future hinges on the meetings that follow last night’s finale.
“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.”
Olympic dance champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean hinted they were unsure about its future and will no longer perform on the show.
Christopher said: “If Dancing On Ice continues, we will just come back as judges.”
He explained 50 years of performing “takes its toll on the body”.
The Olympic champions will soon hang up their blades after 50 years of incredible performances when they take to the road for a UK arena tour titled Our Last Dance.
The medal-winning pairing announced their plans to leave the ice behind earlier this year.
Though it was a big decision, Christopher, 66, admitted they were ready.
He said: “We’ve been doing it a long time and people our age shouldn’t be doing it now, so we’re just happy that we can still do it.”
Once their skating commitments are fulfilled, Jane plans to soak up the sun and play tennis with husband Phil Christensen in Spain where they have a holiday home.
Meanwhile Christopher and his partner Karen are buying a motorhome to travel around the UK.
Dancing On Ice has been on screens for nearly 20 years[/caption]
