Dancing on Ice is back

Go Harvey Go

Cynics may argue that it's only returning because ITV couldn't come up with a replacement for it.

But it could yet be a triumphant return. Phil will be hosting, and so will Holly. Torvill and Dean will also be there, but this time they'll be heading the judging panel.

And ITV are clearly putting a lot of faith in it, too, promising a big new rink and more ambitious routines:

http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/dancing-ice-return-2018

Now, as long as there aren't too many twists and the other judges aren't Louie Spence and Ashley Roberts...

(Wouldn't be entirely keen on Jason returning either, though I'd at least understand that.)

JP Liz V1

The Great British Bake Off's 2016 winner Candice Brown, The X Factor and I'm a Celebrity's Jake Quickenden, rugby player Max Evans, Love Island's Kem Cetinay, Coronation Street's Brooke Vincent and singer Cheryl Baker of Bucks Fizz are signed up

Go Harvey Go

So is former England cricketer Monty Panesar.



It looks like Jason is indeed returning as a judge, although as I said in post #1 I can understand that.

And it's being reported that the panel will also include Ashley... Banjo.

Go Harvey Go

The other celebs confirmed: track athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton, 'Oaks actress Stephanie Waring, ITV weatherman Alex Beresford, ex-Byker Grove star Donna Air (who could yet become the Duchess of Cambridge's sister-in-law ), and Antony Cotton.

The pro line-up has also been confirmed, with Dan Whiston, Matt Evers, Brianne Delcourt and Sylvain Longchambon all returning:

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2017-11-09/dancing-on-ice-2018-professional-skaters/

And - surprise surprise - Ashley Banjo will indeed join Jayne, Chris and Jason on the judging panel. Well, he should be better than his Pussycat Doll namesake... right?

Go Harvey Go

Trailer's out. I quite like it, TBH...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5n3VhG3rPs

Go Harvey Go

Horse racing presenter Matt Chapman will be the commentator. Interesting choice.

https://twitter.com/MCYeeehaaa/status/941941662179262464

Go Harvey Go

...Am I the only one still excited? :eek:

Anyway, Monty has pulled out due to injury and has been replaced by Lemar - who features prominently in this "first look":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anfX2CMkBqE

Loughc

No you’re not alone Go Harvey Go. I’m looking forward to this too.

HeidiHeidi

Me three

I've heard of a whole two of them.... Candice, and Perri Shakes-Drayton (although i couldn't tell you what sport she does.... something athleticy???)

And Brenda Hyland's daughter, although she must have been parachuted in after that trailer was shot.

Not a clue have I who the rest are.... but i cannot WAIT for this to get started!!!

Go Harvey Go

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Me three

I've heard of a whole two of them.... Candice, and Perri Shakes-Drayton (although i couldn't tell you what sport she does.... something athleticy???)

And Brenda Hyland's daughter, although she must have been parachuted in after that trailer was shot.

Not a clue have I who the rest are.... but i cannot WAIT for this to get started!!!

It's the Irish Strictly - which I haven't started watching, and don't intend to - that Alannah Beirne has been parachuted into...

And I take it you don't watch Corrie?

HeidiHeidi

Go Harvey Go wrote: »

It's the Irish Strictly - which I haven't started watching, and don't intend to - that Alannah Beirne has been parachuted into...

And I take it you don't watch Corrie?

Whooooops!!!

Think I might be suffering reality show overdose :eek:

Don't tell me PS-D is a soap star???

Think I need a bit of a lie-down before the reality season starts up again (that might or might not be related to gin consumption last night )

Go Harvey Go

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Whooooops!!!

Think I might be suffering reality show overdose :eek:

Don't tell me PS-D is a soap star???

Of course Perri isn't a soap star.

But Antony, Brooke and Stephanie all are.

Autosport

Anyone watching tonight? I’m totally loving it and have to say I’m impressed with first week dancing.

Michelle_b

I'm watching. They are really good and not showing nerves. I haven't seen it before but fair play on the ice!

Go Harvey Go

There isn't much love for Matt Chapman's commentary... and I can see why.

It *is* the first night, he *is* much more familiar with the gee-gees, and no commentator can be *quite* as good as Tony Gubba was. But he doesn't need to be *that* loud, nor does he have mention something to do with racing at every opportunity...

Besides that, it's largely the DOI we all know and love. Jason is as mean as ever, and it's fair to say that the show really doesn't work as well without Phil *and* Holly.

Autosport

I didn’t know how much I missed it until tonight when it started back. I’d prefer less ads and more dancing though.

Michelle_b

My favourite tonight was Kem.

Agree on the commentator.. feels like it doesn't fit

kopite386

I enjoyed the show tonight but I have a few points to make.

1. I'm glad it's back I missed it but I like the fresh feel of the show - I'm glad the pros are now creating their own choreography and not Torvill & Dean.

2. I think Torvill & Dean will do well on the judging panel they know what to look out for alongside Ashley & Jason who are dancers but from different backgrounds of dancing. I think it fits well

3. I know Tony Gubba is dead now so they needed someone to do the commentary but by Jesus I did not like Matt Chapman doing it tonight it felt it was missing something.

4. I really liked both Kem & Jake I know it's only week 1 but I can already see it being those two for the final

5. 2 hours show but barely any dancing typical ITV show they need to cut down on all the talking and as breaks and get on with the point of the show.

But overall I enjoyed it tonight and cant wait to see what the next 10 Sundays bring. All I need now is Wild at Heart to come back and my childhood on sunday evenings would be back

HeidiHeidi

Have just watched the first of the series - and oh my goodness it's FRANTIC :eek:

Not at all a fan of the new commentator, hopefully he'll calm down, or they'll put some valium in his coffee or something.

Unfortunately I haven't a notion who most of them are, but yer man from X Factor and Perri were far and away the best of the night. I felt for poor Candice, all the others are performers of one sort or another - but she has to tackle learning to skate AND learning to perform at the same time. But she's a determined gal, I have no doubt she's up for it!

HeidiHeidi

Oh.... there was more! I'd assumed the group dance was the end of it!

Stephanie had me on tenterhooks! But she got through it without falling, fair play to her!

In other news, I'd forgotten how gorgeous Sylvain is! Had no idea he'd hooked up with, never mind married, Samia!!

Who's that enormous second judge I thought the American girlie judge was back, no? I feel like Jayne and Chris need to settle into their new roles as judges - they're being very sparing in their words each time, but I'm sure they'll get the hang of blathering on and on like all the other in time!

HeidiHeidi

Holy Moly, Kem certainly wins the most improved contestant in week one :eek:

Can see why ye all think he's a final contender already!

I'd say he's some handful to train, though!!!

Go Harvey Go

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Who's that enormous second judge I thought the American girlie judge was back, no?

Well, they're both called Ashley...

crustybla

Only got to see it today, great watching without the annoying fillers and ads. I also am not a fan of the commentator. Loved Holly's dress. Sooo good to see Sylvain again, Jaysus he's a roide!
I liked Ashley more than I thought I would, I also prefer that the prof's are doing the choreography.

crustybla

Matt Chapman has resigned apparently. Schedule clashes. More like he's aware he's not very popular. Wonder who'll step in.

HeidiHeidi

crustybla wrote: »

Matt Chapman has resigned apparently. Schedule clashes. More like he's aware he's not very popular. Wonder who'll step in.

Thank Gawd!

kopite386

Sam Matterface is replacing Matt Chapman I have no clue who he is but let's hope he's better than Matt Chapman

crustybla

crustybla wrote: »

Matt Chapman has resigned apparently. Schedule clashes. More like he's aware he's not very popular. Wonder who'll step in.

Heard elsewhere that he was fired but gets full pay. He’s not to everyone’s taste, but there’s nothing he doesn’t know about horse racing.

crustybla

How bad. He's happy enough so. Hopefully this Sam Matterface chap fits in. It has potential to be a great show. Looking forward to this week but I'll watch later to skip all those bloody ads.

Go Harvey Go

Can't say I'm Matt's greatest fan either - even on At The Races he's a bit of an acquired taste.

That said, I *do* feel he should have been given a chance to improve. But que sera sera.

The Metro newspaper, while reporting on Sam Matterface taking over, says that "Matt previously made a name for himself presenting Racing Post, At The Races and the Racing Channel." They can't be all that interested in the gee-gees, because the Racing Post is itself a newspaper and not a TV channel...

Meanwhile, one man who would undoubtedly be a brilliant and popular commentator is Tony Gubba's old colleague, Barry Davies. He recently commentated on The Jump on Channel 4 and, despite probably not having a Scooby who half the celebrities were, he made it look so easy - and he clearly enjoyed doing it, too.

Just seen Matt Chapman on the morning racing program. He was full of praise for the dedication and hard work of the celebs.

Autosport

Can't wait for tonight

LizT

It's a little bit unfair that one couple had a week to prepare for the skate off.

HeidiHeidi

So the dance-off routine is not the same as the one they originally did?

Is that a new thing, or am I just succumbing to old age and don't remember it from previous series?

HeidiHeidi

LizT wrote: »

It's a little bit unfair that one couple had a week to prepare for the skate off.

Much good it did her

Have to say (from my position of total ignorance of anything to do with ice-skating, admittedly) that she looked much the stronger skater in that dance off to me. Jayne may have had a point that Lemar had more difficulty in his routine, but he looked far more shaky and wobbly, I was really impressed with how much Candice had improved.

And she's not a performer.

Think she wuz robbed.

HeidiHeidi

How come this isn't showing up to watch on the TV3 player???

Am stuck out without the telly pages... thought it started at 6pm?

Autosport

Jake and Kem are miles ahead of everyone else

Loughc

Autosport wrote: »

Jake and Kem are miles ahead of everyone else

Jake yes, but Kem's skating is quite poor.

Autosport

Jake and Kem again this week miles ahead of everyone.

Fair play to Lemar can't be easy

kopite386

Lemar has now perfected his skate off dance. I don't know what the British public are doing constantly voting in Cheryl to stay. She doesn't skate nevermind dance. Now watch it be Cheryl Vs Lemar in the skate off next week for Lemar to be saved for the 4th time

Autosport

Ah no give Lemar a week off from being in the dance off

HeidiHeidi

Oh I wish Cheryl would just go already.....she's absolutely MILES behind everyone else.

Fair play to Ale, willing and able to dance after that fall (which I gathered was only yesterday?). They were a bit tentative tbh, but who'd blame them!

Other than her (and maybe Lemar), this is shaping up to be quite the contest overall!

HeidiHeidi

Hmmmm, was there an aborted lift near the end of Alex's routine???

Go Harvey Go

All three celebs eliminated thus far are women. Not being sexist, just an observation.

Hard to disagree, though, that Jake and Kem are some distance ahead of everyone else. And it's safe to say, too, that Lemar, Antony and Cheryl are outsiders.

I think that calls for a look at the bookies' markets...

Paddy Power: Jake 6/4, Kem 11/4, Max 7/2, Alex 10/1, Donna 10/1, Brooke 12/1, Cheryl 33/1, Lemar 33/1, Antony 66/1
Ladbrokes, Coral: Jake 6/4, Kem 5/2, Max 4/1, Donna 8/1, Alex 10/1, Brooke 14/1, Antony 50/1, Cheryl 50/1, Lemar 66/1
William Hill: Jake 6/4, Kem 11/4, Max 7/2, Alex 9/1, Donna 10/1, Brooke 12/1, Cheryl 33/1, Lemar 33/1, Antony 66/1

Meanwhile, is there anyone else who finds it ever so slightly strange to hear both Phil *and* Holly announcing the couples that are "safe and skating next week"?

Of course, Phil announced the results on his own for the entirety of the show's original run. And it wasn't uncommon for him to say something like "The next couple through is... to be revealed after the break!"

While I can kind of see why Holly does it with him now, it *does* feel just that bit odd. (And that's no disrespect to her at all, of course.)

Big Bag of Chips

I'm usually a big Holly fan, and love her style, but WHAT is she wearing tonight? The top of the dress is awful.

HeidiHeidi

Oh for crying out loud - is Cheryl EVER going to actually let go of Dan?

(anyone else find the whole "he's moved into the family home and they're best friends foreva" thing a bit.... creepy? Odd, even? Does Dan have a partner who might have a say in all this (alleged) carry-on???)

I'm late to the party again tonight - I gather from an unintended glance at an earlier post that a female has gone tonight - I sincerely hope, in fairness to the others, that it's Cheryl.

Autosport

Big Bag of Chips wrote: »

I'm usually a big Holly fan, and love her style, but WHAT is she wearing tonight? The top of the dress is awful.

I loved Holly’s dress thought it looked gorgeous on her.

Autosport

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Oh for crying out loud - is Cheryl EVER going to actually let go of Dan?

(anyone else find the whole "he's moved into the family home and they're best friends foreva" thing a bit.... creepy? Odd, even? Does Dan have a partner who might have a say in all this (alleged) carry-on???)

I'm late to the party again tonight - I gather from an unintended glance at an earlier post that a female has gone tonight - I sincerely hope, in fairness to the others, that it's Cheryl.

Tbh I wouldn’t let go of Dan either Cheryl is way behind the other dancers and Jake really stepped it up tonight and felt bad for Alex

HeidiHeidi

Autosport wrote: »

Tbh I wouldn’t let go of Dan either Cheryl is way behind the other dancers and Jake really stepped it up tonight and felt bad for Alex

He kinda creeps me out!

Jake fairly pulled it out of the bag alright!!!

Haven't got to Alex yet.

HeidiHeidi

Autosport wrote: »

I loved Holly’s dress thought it looked gorgeous on her.

I thought the dress was gorgeous (mind you, she'd look good in a bin bag) - but thought the colour did nothing whatsoever for her.

HeidiHeidi

Ohhhhhhhh..... bad luck Alex!

That pull-through never looked right, right from the start. Nice routine though, despite the fall.

HeidiHeidi

Awwww, I really love Brooke! Never heard of her before this show, but she's a laugh!

And fair play to Matej for getting dressed up in a tutu - waaaay above and beyond