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Ashley Banjo loved judging Dancing On Ice – but isn’t sure if he’ll be back

Diversity star wary despite being told bosses plan to keep the same panel

Ashley Banjo says he loved his first series as a judge on Dancing On Ice – but isn’t sure if he’ll be invited back.

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ITV recently revived the celebrity skating contest after four years off air, with a revamped Ice Panel.

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean were promoted from choreographers to head judges, appearing alongside returning favourite Jason Gardiner.

They were joined by Ashley, the frontman of Britain’s Got Talent-winning dance troupe Diversity.

Following the grand final earlier this month, Ashley has revealed how much he enjoyed his new role, saying the series “flew by”.

However, he’s wary about whether he’ll return next year, even though bosses are apparently planning to keep the same line-up.

Ashley told the Daily Star: “The producers unofficially said ‘the team will remain the same for next year’s series.

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“But one thing I’ve learned in this business is that you should never take anything for granted unless you are there doing it. I’ve realised how fragile things are.

“I’m hoping to be back. I’ve got my fingers crossed.

“The thing is, I wasn’t sure how I’d fit in, but I ended up loving it and then 10 weeks flew by.”

The 29-year-old is perhaps right to be cautious, having lost two previous TV judging gigs.

He appeared on five series of Sky 1’s Got To Dance before it ended abruptly in 2014. Last year, he joined ITV’s Dance Dance Dance, but it has seemingly been dropped after just one run.

Meanwhile, Ashley has teased that tweaks may be made to improve Dancing On Ice next year.

“I think it’s a show people were happy to see come back,” he said.

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“When it comes back next year the producers will have learned from this series and know what changes to make.”

ITV has confirmed that Dancing On Ice will return for its eleventh series in early 2019.

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