Dancing On Ice viewers call for Johnny Weir to be permanent judge on ITV show as he replaces Ashley Banjo
Dancing On Ice viewers call for Johnny Weir to be a permanent judge on the ITV show as he replaced Ashley Banjo during Sunday’s show.
American figure skater Johnny, 39, made his debut on the judges panel during Musicals Week, as well as performing for fans.
Professional dancer Ashley, 35, announced during last Sunday’s show he is taking a break from DOI to hit the road with his dance group, Diversity.
Ashley is due to return to the panel alongside Oti Mabuse , Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean in time for the show’s semi-final.
Fans of the show were thrilled to see a new judge, with one penning: ‘Can we keep Johnny please’
Dancing On Ice viewers call for Johnny Weir to be a permanent judge on the ITV show as he replaced Ashley Banjo during Sunday’s show
Professional dancer Ashley, 35, announced during last Sunday’s show he is taking a break from DOI to hit the road with his dance group, Diversity
Another wrote: ‘Can we have Johnny Weir as a judge every week? He’s SO much better than Ashley. He knows what he’s talking about with the skating and he’s actually giving harsh and real criticism’
Johnny, who competed on season 29 of Dancing with the Stars in the US, is preparing to jet to London ahead of the next show.
On Monday, Johnny broke his silence on the news, telling his Instagram followers: ‘Good morning everyone, I’ve just hopped on the ice for my final practice before I head off to London tomorrow to take part in Dancing On Ice which is one of the biggest skating TV shows in the entire world.
‘In all my 27 years of skating I’ve never performed on the ice in the UK so looking forward to that and seeing all the couples perform and sitting next to Jane and Christopher!’
It comes after Claire Sweeney became the latest star to leave the series after landing in the dreaded skate off with Lou Sanders on Sunday.
Ashley is due to return to the panel alongside Oti Mabuse , Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean in time for the show’s semi-final
Fans of the show were thrilled to see a new judge, with one penning: ‘Can we keep Johnny please’
The soap star , 52, despite dislocating her rib during rehearsals had taken to the rink for a burlesque themed performance as she skated and sung live.
Following the skate off off judges Ashley Banjo , Oti Mabus, Jayne Torville and Christopher Dean announced they wanted to save the ‘strongest skater’.
The Corrie actress had been critiqued earlier in the show for spending too much time off the ice during lifts.
The jam packed show also featured a shocking twist as host Holly Willoughby announced there would be a shock double eviction next week.
Claire gushed about her ‘incredible’ time in the competition and how proud she was to have eight-year-old son Jaxon in the audience.
DANCING ON ICE: MEET THE 2024 CONTESTANTS
RICKY HATTON
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: Former pro boxer
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘If I can hold my nerve in the boxing ring I should be able to hold my nerve in the ice rink’
HANNAH SPEARRITT
AGE: 42
PROFESSION: SINGER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I’m really excited about learning a new skill. It’s so easy to live your comfortable life and that aspect of mixing things up is very appealing’
GREG RUTHERFORD
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Athlete
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I like a challenge and I needed a reason to go out and do stuff again and here we are. I want to perform something that’s never been done before, that’s my aim.’
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards
AGE: 59
PROFESSION: OLYMPIC SKI JUMPER
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Dancing on Ice is a show I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a challenge I think I’m going to relish!’
RICKY NORWOOD
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: EastEnders star
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘It’s come at such a great time in life. I can’t skate at all! No rehearsals as yet, I’ve just had some physiotherapy to strengthen the body.’
RYAN THOMAS
AGE: 39
PROFESSION: Corrie star
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Everyone keeps asking me, “are you doing it?” I’ve told everyone!’
CLAIRE SWEENEY
AGE: 52
PROFESSION: ACTRESS
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I am stepping into the unknown here. I don’t know how I will feel. But I am very excited.’
AMBER DAVIES
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: WEST END STAR
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I would definitely say that I’m an adrenaline junkie but I do get more nervous as I get older and I hope that I can contain them’
MILES NAZAIRE
AGE: 27
PROFESSION: REALITY STAR
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I’ve always loved to dance but it’s usually on a dance floor on a Saturday night and Dancing on Ice looks so difficult.’
LOU SANDERS
AGE: 37
PROFESSION: COMEDIAN
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I’m nervous about cracking my head open, or just bashing the old head. I can’t afford to lose any more brain cells.’
ADELE ROBERTS
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: RADIO PRESENTER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘It’s ”bricking it on ice” for me! I think the hardest part is putting myself out there as I usually hide away’
ROXY SHAHIDI
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: Emmerdale star
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I can’t ice-skate. I haven’t really said anything to anyone but mainly because I’m so nervous about it!’
