Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on Dancing On Ice as show is axed

HOLLY Willoughby has broken her silence on Dancing On Ice after the ITV show was shelved.

The presenter, 44, took to Instagram to thank the crew and celebrities who joined her on the show over the years.

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She said: "A huge thank you to @itv, The brilliant team, Crew, Celebrities and Everyone who has been part of our Dancing on Ice family over the last 19 years.

"Every year, just when January felt at its greyest, Dancing on Ice arrived like a burst of glittering, dazzling light, warm, joyful, and full of heart…

"It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside true national treasures Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, and to have a front-row seat to their breathtaking skating.

"Watching them glide across the ice was nothing less than pure magic… A special thanks must also go to Arnica, Deep Heat, Spanx and fake tan, unsung heroes of the rink! …

"I will miss it hugely, but I count myself so lucky to have had it for as long as we did. Finally and most importantly, thank you to you for watching, you're the BEST! …"

Holly is now left with no work on the channel for the first time in 21 years.

Last night we exclusively revealed the show had been shelved after ratings dwindled for this year's series, which was won by Corrie's Sam Aston last month.

An ITV Spokesperson said: "Following another successful series earlier this year, Dancing On Ice will be rested in 2026 with no current plans for another series.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the cast and crew who have worked on the show since 2006, and over the previous 17 series, for all of their hard work both on and off the ice."

Last week The Sun reported that the show's set was being dismantled and put into long-term storage.

We also exclusively revealed morale behind the scenes was low amid the inevitable postponement.

A source said: “The staff have been told that the set is going into long-term storage and everyone thinks this is the final nail in the coffin.

"Nobody’s heard anything about the show next year and casting for the show usually starts next month, with the cast confirmed in June.

"At this stage bosses are normally approaching celebs and auditioning them - but there’s nothing, and with the set being dismantled, this can’t be a good sign.”

A shroud of uncertainty had enveloped the show in recent weeks after it was revealed viewing figures had slumped.

Show panellists Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean announced earlier in the year that the last series would mark their final skate on the show ahead of a farewell arena tour.

In addition, long-serving pro skaters like Brendyn Hatfield and Mark Hanretty announced they won't be returning to the ice.

Host Holly Willoughby even dropped a massive clue the show was being rested when she signed off in the final by saying "see you next time" rather than "next year".

Adding to the speculation, costumes from across the skating show's almost two decades on air have been listed for auction on eBay.

Corrie star Andy Whyment's statement 1980s pink, yellow and blue bomber jacket is up for grabs with bids starting at £10.

Ferne McCann's studded leather jacket - which she wore just weeks ago on the ice - is also on sale, again starting at just a tenner.

Other statement pieces off the rack include a silver sequined dress worn by S Club's Hannah Spearritt and a brand new, unworn male sequined jacket.

Vicky Ogden's matching two-piece cream jacket and dress has also been listed and a H&M sequined mini dress that was never worn on air.

Dancing On Ice originally ran from 2006 until being axed in 2014 by ITV.

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