Following the news that ITV series Dancing On Ice will not be commissioned for 2026, Holly Willoughby has broken her silence on social media. It was confirmed on Thursday that the long-running ice skating competition had been axed after 19 years after the show's viewing figures slumped recently. TV bosses were reportedly set to decide the programme's long-term future, and it has now gone on hiatus for a second time. Holly joined the show initially as a co-host alongside Phillip Schofield until his departure in 2023, with Stephen Mulhern replacing him during last year's series.

Taking to Instagram, she penned, "A huge thank you to @itv, The brilliant team, Crew, Celebrities and Everyone who has been part of our Dancing on Ice family over the last 19 years. Every year, just when January felt at its greyest, Dancing on Ice arrived like a burst of glittering, dazzling light, warm, joyful, and full of heart.

"It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside true national treasures Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, and to have a front-row seat to their breathtaking skating. Watching them glide across the ice was nothing less than pure magic.

"A special thanks must also go to Arnica, Deep Heat, Spanx, and Fake Tan, unsung heroes of the rink! … I will miss it hugely, but I count myself so lucky to have had it for as long as we did. Finally and most importantly, thank you to you for watching, you’re the BEST!" [sic]

Rumours swirled about the show's cancellation after Olympic champions Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean—who judge the show—hung up their skates for the last time during the series finale.

The pair officially retired from ice skating in 1998 after winning 16 gold medals at different international competitions, including their famous gold at the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics.

Ahead of the 2025 series, Torvill and Dean announced that they will be skating live for the final time. According to The Mirror, Christopher, 66, said: "This will be our last live skate - here on 'Dancing on Ice'. We’re doing our last tour this year as well so once we’ve finished our last skate on tour, we won’t be performing again. There are lots of endings.”

It was then reported by numerous outlets that the long-running show faced being 'axed' amid declining ratings.