Gemma Collins set to return to Dancing On Ice for its Christmas launch show

Gemma Collins is set to return to Dancing On Ice for its upcoming launch show.

ITV has announced a new festive special, Dancing on Ice at Christmas, to air in December.

It will see the celebrity contestants and professional skaters on the ice for the first time ahead of the live shows starting in 2020.

Alongside the new line up, the launch episode will also feature performances from some of Dancing on Ice’s most popular alumni, including Ray Quinn and Jake Quickenden.

The Sun newspaper reports that Gemma Collins will be back as well, after taking part in the series earlier this year.

A source claimed: “Bosses are ready to make Gemma the star of the show again.

“She wants to be the showstopper for the Christmas special, and is proving to producers she is ready for it.”

Gemma was fifth to be eliminated from the 2019 series of Dancing On Ice following numerous clashes with judge Jason Gardiner, plus a nasty fall.

An exact air date for Dancing On Ice’s Christmas extravaganza – which is set to include another show stopping performance from ice legends Torvill and Dean – has yet to be announced.

Dancing On Ice’s main series will return to ITV in 2020, with the new Dancing On Ice line up confirmed earlier this year.

Taking to the ice will be TV personality Joe Swash, ITV newsreader Lucrezia Millarini, Steps singer Ian ‘H’ Watkins, chat show legend Trisha Goddard, American actress model Caprice, Love Islander Maura Higgins.

Joining them will be TV magician Ben Hanlin, soap star Lisa George, footballer Kevin Kilbane, TV entertainer Michael Barrymore, Paralympic sprinter Libby Clegg and Diversity dancer Perri Kiely.

Meanwhile, Dancing On Ice’s judging line up will see a new face this year.

John Barrowman MBE replaces Jason Gardiner alongside Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean and Ashley Banjo.

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby will return to host the series once again.

Dancing On Ice airs on ITV.