Dancing On Ice has made a triumphant return, boasting a new roster of celebrities including soap stars, Olympians, and reality TV personalities, all competing for the coveted title.
The ITV reality programme is presented by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern, with the judging panel consisting of ice skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, as well as TV favourites Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse.
Before the stars took to the ice for their debut performances, hosts Holly and Stephen took a moment to pay a touching tribute to former contestant James Lee Williams, professionally known as The Vivienne, who sadly passed away on January 5.
Holly, formerly of This Morning, expressed: “Before we move on, like us, many of you have been saddened by the tragedy of The Vivienne’s passing last weekend.
“Now, they were a huge part of the show, making it all the way to the final in 2023 and they’ll be very sorely missed. Our thoughts are with The Vivienne’s loved ones at this sad time. So sad”, reports Wales Online.
Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willougby paid tribute to the Vivienne
(Image: ITV)
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Stephen echoed her sentiments, simply saying: “Absolutely”, before proceeding with the show and announcing: “Ok, tonight’s we’ll see our first six couples take to the ice – the other six couples will perform next week – so let’s crack on with the very first celebrity.”
The Vivienne had previously partnered with professional skater Colin Grafton on the show, finishing in third place.
However, some fans were left underwhelmed by the tribute to The Vivienne on Dancing on Ice. One X user wrote: “Was that seriously the tribute for The Vivienne they were talking about?
“Hoping there’s something else later on in the show because that’s the only reason why I tuned in icl #DancingOnIce.”
Others shared similar sentiments, with comments including “No for real I was expecting so much more”, “Really disappointing actually”, and “Is that it for a tribute to The Vivienne a few words why can’t we at least see some dances etc #DancingOnIce.”
A fan also expressed frustration, stating: “Nah #DancingOnIce making out they were doing a tribute to The Vivienne and they say practically nothing they make more tribute that bolero what the **** absolutely abysmal show #doi”.
The RuPaul’s Drag Race star was partner with Colin Grafton and placed third
(Image: Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Another person commented: “What an absolute insult to The Vivienne. Fake. Nauseating. Smells like ‘firstly, are you ok’ #DancingOnIce.”
The disappointment comes ahead of a significant turnout in Liverpool tonight, January 12, as people gather to honour The Vivienne’s memory. The Vivienne, a drag superstar who rose to fame in Liverpool, died last weekend, prompting an outpouring of heartfelt tributes worldwide.
The Vivienne won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019. The vigil, scheduled to be held at St George’s Plateau, will bring together a diverse crowd, including family members of The Vivienne and representatives from the city’s Pride Quarter venues.
Dancing on Ice currently airs every Sunday on ITV and ITVX