Dancing On Ice will be back this weekend for its latest live show.
The ITV series sees celebrity skaters take to the ice in a bid to dance and dazzle their way to glory.
After airing for nine series, Dancing On Ice went off air in 2014 but is now making a very big comeback.
The first plans began in 2016
As Dancing On Ice hits screens in 2018 it’s been two years since the first plans were put into place to bring the show back.
Original show coach Jayne Torvill said: “About a year ago we started having talks. We were secretly excited about it but we didn’t want to get too excited in case it didn’t happen! Now it obviously is, we are absolutely thrilled.”
Over 80 celebrities auditioned for the show
Just 12 names are on the official cast but many more tried out for the show. They’re thought to have included celebrity psychic Sally Morgan and singer Michelle Heaton.
Hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby revealed they helped to select the contestants.
Phillip explained: “Holly and I did, not ‘I don’t want them, I don’t want them’ but when we had our initial meeting we said ‘how about, and we love, and wouldn’t it be funny if…’ and then they came back and said ‘well they can’t do it, they can do it, what do you think of this…'”
The pro skaters have a bigger role now
For the 2018 series, the judges will for the first time critique routines choreographed by the professional skaters as they set about impressing with their celebrity partners.
Christopher Dean explained: “The professionals doing the choreography will build the pressure with their celebrity partners.”
Katie Rawcliffe, Creative Director at ITV Studios added: “The professional skaters are choreographing all their own routines this time, and that’s the first time they have done it in the show’s history.”
Viewers will get more power
Christopher teased of tweaks to come: “There are some little twists to the format too. Let’s just say viewers may have the chance to save their favourite person.”
He added: “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.”
Meanwhile, Jayne let slip: “There’s also a tunnel connecting the practice rink to the main rink and we might see some tears there. Chris is calling it the tunnel of doom.”
Dancing On Ice 2018 continues on ITV on Sunday, February 11 from 6PM.
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