Dancing On Ice’s Colin Grafton breaks silence on 2024 winner’s shock exit – and Phillip Schofield’s replacement
DANCING on Ice star Colin Grafton has addressed former host Phillip Schofield's departure from the show.
US-born skater Colin, 33, has competed in the show's two most recent series.
Speaking to The Sun Online, he discussed fellow pro Amani's decision to leave the show.
Amani, 27, and former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas, 40, triumphed to win series 16 earlier this year.
Colin said: "Obviously, Amani's an incredible, incredible skater, incredible friend.
"Each season, you know, sometimes you want to do a season, sometimes you need a season off.
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"Sometimes you have another opportunity. I believe Amani made the decision to skip this year.
"I think she has some other stuff going on.
"But, you know, she seems super happy and definitely will be missed for sure.
"She's a wonderful skater. But also I'm extremely excited to have both Eric and Molly, the new pros."
It comes as fans learned Colin will be partnering The Traitors star Mollie Pearce for the 2025 series.
The reality contestant will be following in the footsteps of previous celeb partners The Vivienne and Claire Sweeney.
Elsewhere in the interview, Colin discussed long-time presenter Phillip Schofield's exit from Dancing on Ice.
Philip, 62, presented the programme on and off from 2006 to 2023, overlapping with Colin on one series.
Longtime ITV personality Stephen Mulhern, 47, was picked to take over.
Colin shared: “Honestly, [Phillip leaving] didn't really affect me much at all.
“Phillip was a wonderful guy to be around. He was super nice.
"I didn't really get to spend much time with him, of course, because I was so focusing on all the choreography and the training.
“And then when last year, when Stephen came on board, what a wonderful guy.
"Like, honestly, he's just a really kind, sweet guy.
Dancing On Ice 2025 full line-up revealed
EastEnders legend Charlie Brooks
Traitors finalist Mollie Pearce
Coronation Street favourite Sam Aston
Olympic legend Sir Steve Redgrave
Towie's Ferne McCann
Comedian Josh Jones
Springwatch presenter Michaela Strachan
Towie's Dan Edgar
Love Island's Chris Taylor
Hollyoaks actress Chelsee Healey
Ex-Footballer Anton Ferdinand
Paralympian Dame Sarah Story
“And I actually remember last year [when he joined], he actually came in early one day and just watched all of the professionals practice.
"[He] came up to each one of us and shook our hands.
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“And I actually just thought that was really sweet of him. He's a really nice guy.”
Dancing on Ice will be returning to ITV in January 2025.
