ITV have confirmed that Dancing On Ice will not be returning in 2026 after the show failed to bring in the millions of viewers who previously tuned in each week

It came as a shock to many when rumours started circulating that Dancing on Ice, one of ITV’s most beloved reality shows, might be coming to an end. There have, however, been signs been pointing toward this decision long before it was made public. Although Dancing On Ice has enjoyed a strong fan following over almost two decades, the reality show has faced challenges in recent seasons.

An ITV spokesperson has now confirmed the fate of the show. They said: “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.”

Here, we look at the signs the show was headed for the axe.

Radical decline in viewership signals trouble for the show

The first sign of an upcoming axe was the declining viewership. Last year the show scored its smallest live audience of all time when 2.9million tuned in to one episode, a drop of 700,000 on the 3.6million who’d watched the opener a few weeks earlier. This year, the show kick-off with 2.9million but then dropped down to 2.4million.

Due to the decline, the series wasn’t generating the same revenue as it once did, making it harder to justify the costs of signing celebrities.

Many of the 12 celebrity contestants earn six-figure sums because of the months of gruelling training needed to get them up to scratch and able to perform on the ice. ITV also pays big fees to presenters Holly and Stephen, the 12 professional ice-skaters and four judges – comprising ice-skating legends Torvill and Dean plus former Strictly star Oti Mabuse and fellow dance expert Ashley Banjo. They also have to maintain the purpose-built studio rink at Bovingdon Airfield in Hertfordshire, which is now said to be being dismantled.

Shift in audience tastes and a brutal revelation from the bookies

Another sign pointing to an axe was changes in audience tastes. ITV was left with the tough decision of whether to continue the show or move on to fresh content as it’s usual audience began optinf out of the series. As channels are competing with streaming platforms as well as other channels, they are increasingly finding it harder to hook viewers and when a show is no longer able to do that, bosses have to make the tough decision to compete and start something new or to stick to the current set-up.

The third sign emerged when bookies revealed their odds on the show coming to an end. Earlier this month, the odds of the show being cancelled were shortened from 4/11 to 1/2.

Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern’s finale statement

The fourth sign came when hosts Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern closed the 2025 series. During the live final, which saw Sam Aston win the 2025 trophy, Holly and Stephen thanked viewers for watching the series. As they did, something they said before closing the show alluded to the series’ fate.

All the way through the show there were huge hints it was all over after Sunday night, as Holly and others kept getting emotional, including judge Oti Mabuse. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean also kept getting teary, with this put down to their retirement and the fact it was their final ever televised skate on the show.

There were constant mentions of it being the final time, leaving some wondering if they were referring to the series and not just the skating. Amid the tears and moving moments, Stephen also seemed moved especially as the show came to an end.

But then Holly made a comment that could see ITV doing a u-turn amid claims the series will be rested again. They both commented that it was over for now and that they would be back.

Holly said to fans: “That is it for this series,” and soon added: “We’ll see you next time, bye.” This hugely hints the pair and the show will be back and that it’s going nowhere, but perhaps this is down to a decision not yet being confirmed by ITV or at least being made public.

ITV insiders shared ‘concerns’

ITV insiders suggested to The Mirror that the Sunday night series is likely to be dropped for next year after sinking to its lowest ever ratings. Last year, the show scored its smallest live audience of all time when 2.9 million tuned in to one episode, a drop of 700,000 on the 3.6 million who’d watched the opener a few weeks earlier. This year, the show could only manage 2.9 million for the launch, and by the fifth episode another half a million viewers had melted away, leaving just 2.4 million.

Channel chiefs believed the only way to justify the huge costs involved in making Dancing on Ice going forward is by attracting a blockbuster audience, which just isn’t happening. One source said: “There are very real fears this is the end of the road for Dancing on Ice. It’s had a good run for nearly 20 years and has a very loyal set of viewers who really love it but the sad truth is there’s just not enough of them. We need bums on seats but the ratings have dropped to a point where it’s difficult to justify the cost.”

An ITV spokeswoman told The Mirror: “The Dancing on Ice team is fully concentrating on the much anticipated series finale this coming Sunday and therefore no decision has been made.” She said that when catch-up viewing was included, the series had averaged 3million viewers across the current run, thanks in part to 3.6m streams on ITVX.

Chistopher Dean and Torvill Jayne hanging up their skates

Last year, Christopher Dean said he and skating partner Jayne Torvill were bowing out “on their own terms” and the journey they have been on “is complete”.

The 1984 Olympic gold medalists have remained big stars thanks to ITV series Dancing On Ice. But they have performed on that show for the last time with the future of the series in serious doubt. And they will now go on one last tour together around the rinks of the UK in April and May before ending their performing for good.

Referring to the tour called Our Last Dance, Chris said: “After the tour finishes in Nottingham, we’ll be hanging up the skates as Torvill and Dean. Will it be a sad moment? Of course!

“We climbed up the mountain, saw the beautiful views, won a few medals and we’re able to bow out on our terms. The journey feels complete.”

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