Dancing on Ice will be a ‘whole new show’ when it returns to TV

Dancing on Ice 2018 will be a ‘completely new show’ when it returns to TV next Sunday night.

Legendary skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will be reunited with original hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on the show that sees celebrity skaters take to the ice in a bid to dance and dazzle their way to glory.

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, ITV say the show’s revival will prove unmissable event television.

Torvill and Dean will both sit on a revamped ice panel alongside returning judge, the formidable Jason Gardiner and new face, choreographer extraordinare Ashley Banjo.

But the new series isn’t just a comeback, it’s a whole new show.

Says Phillip: “It is not a case of bringing it back – it is a reboot. The team we have got in place is brilliant and it is a whole new show.

“Yes it has ice in the centre of it and there is a competition but it will look and feel different.”

He explained: “There is a new studio, Jayne and Chris are on the panel and that frees up our professional dancers to choreograph. They will choreograph the routines; they will be working on ensemble stuff, which you never saw before.

“Jayne and Chris always did the skating and the pros were the supporting cast. But now they are the stars of the show and that’s exciting.”

Chris added: “Yes there are lots of little tweaks. I am so looking forward to it all. There is lots of nostalgia and freshness.

“I can’t wait for show time and getting back out there and showing off what skating can be about. ”

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.

Counting down the days to launch night, Holly teased: “Seeing the celebrities on the ice for the first time. You get a gauge of what standard they are at.

“There are so many things I am looking forward to! I just want to be back! ”

Dancing On Ice 2018 launches Sunday night, January 7 at 6PM on ITV.