First look at Dancing on Ice stars in action as show returns this week

Holly Willoughby is to return as host for 2024 alongside Stephen Mulhern

ITV has released a first clip from Dancing on Ice including footage of the stars in action. Holly Willoughby will return to television to present Dancing On Ice with Stephen Mulhern.

A spokesman said: "Dancing on Ice, the greatest show on ice, makes its big return to ITV and ITVX, as Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern join forces to take the helm on the high octane skating show. Twelve celebrities compete to become champion of the rink with the help of some of the world’s greatest professionals.

"Skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean head up our ice panel alongside dance supremos, Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse."

Mulhern will replace Phillip Schofield, who left ITV earlier this year after he admitted having an affair with a younger male former colleague on This Morning. Schofield had presented the ice skating competition alongside Willoughby since 2006.

Willoughby has been absent from screens since she also left This Morning in October following 14 years on the sofa. The new line-up marks a reunion for Willoughby and Mulhern after they first worked together on Saturday morning children’s show Ministry Of Mayhem 20 years ago.

The show was later titled Holly & Stephen’s Saturday Showdown. Katie Rawcliffe, head of entertainment commissioning at ITV, said: “Holly and Stephen are two of our best loved presenters, so reuniting them 20 years after they first appeared on screen together to host Dancing On Ice marks the start of an exciting year for the show.”

Mulhern briefly hosted alongside Willoughby on the ITV skating competition in 2022 after Schofield tested positive for Covid-19. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse will also return to Dancing On Ice, with former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton, Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney, singer Hannah Spearritt, West End star Amber Davies and Olympian Greg Rutherford among the stars taking part.

TV personality Miles Nazaire, comedian and writer Lou Sanders, actor Ricky Norwood, radio presenter Adele Roberts, actor Ryan Thomas and Emmerdale’s Roxy Shahidi will also compete. Former Gogglebox star Stephen Lustig-Webb was due to feature but was forced to pull out after breaking his left ankle during ice skating training, with Olympian Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards taking his place.

Dancing on Ice starts Sunday, 6:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX