Dancing On Ice made a triumphant return to TV tonight and many fans were (mostly) happy with the comeback.
Having originally run on ITV between 2006 and 2014, the series pairs famous faces alongside professional skaters, who each week perform in a bid to impress both the panel and the viewers at home.
Legendary skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean were reunited with original hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby for tonight’s first live show of a totally new series.
With a brand new cast of celebrities plucked from the world of TV, music and showbiz, a refreshed line up of skating professionals, a spectacular new set, and more ambitious routines than ever before, the show’s revival was all very different.
Torvill and Dean both sat a revamped ice panel alongside the formidable Jason Gardiner and choreographer extraordinare Ashley Banjo.
For the most part, viewers were happy with the revived show.
Its like it's never been away @dancingonice #DancingOnIce Where did those 4 years go??
— Paul Robinson (@wire_paul) January 7, 2018
One viewer wrote on Twitter: “Today’s children don’t realise how iconic it is that #DancingOnIce is actually back, I’ve waited years for this!!! This programme was literally my childhood ??”
Another said: “Its like it’s never been away @dancingonice #DancingOnIce Where did those 4 years go??”
A third added: “Love that DOI is back. Brilliant show.”
However new commentator, ITV Racing’s Matt Chapman, didn’t win many fans.
“Errr… who’s the voiceover guy… it’s not right. #dancingonice,” wrote one viewer.
A second agreed: “Which button do I have to press to get rid of that annoying commentator? #DancingOnIce”
And others weren’t even that polite.
“Who on EARTH is this commentator? is it just some random audience member who’s gotten pissed & broken into the commentator’s booth? #DancingOnIce” complained another fan.
Posted a fourth viewer: “#DancingOnIce Where did they find this commentator? He’s crap. Must be working cheap.”
Tragically, original Dancing On Ice commentator Tony Gubba passed away in 2013.
Errr… who's the voiceover guy… it's not right. #dancingonice pic.twitter.com/IlTWlORH1j
— 🏴🌻 Morgan S. Thomas (@Mr_Goomantash) January 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/JoelTrenchard/status/950069555195531264
The former sports journalist had narrated Dancing On Ice since the first back in 2006.
Born in Manchester, Tony was also famous for his commentary which saw him cover the World Cup every year between the 1970s and 2004.
Tragically, Tony passed away from ill-health aged 69.
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