Dancing On Ice Returning: Date and Time, Who Quit the Show, New Pairs

Dancing on Ice confirmed to be returning this weekend. Photo: Essex Live

Dancing on Ice confirmed to be returning this weekend

After its short but much-needed rest, ITV has confirmed that it'll be back in its regular Sunday evening slot this coming weekend (February 28), as the remaining celebrities and their partners prepare for Movie Week, according to Digital Spy.

A new trailer also announced, "a sensational new routine" from judges and skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (via The Mirror), which should help the show fill its two-hour runtime.

Confirmation of Dancing on Ice's comeback follows the news that yet another celebrity has been forced to quit the competition – this time, Jason Donovan.

After failing to recover from a back injury in time for this week's live show, Jason became the fifth star to leave the 2021 series early.

In a statement, a spokesperson for ITV thanked Jason and his professional partner Alexandra Schauman for their commitment to the show. "Jason Donovan has brought us so much joy with his performances on Dancing on Ice – from Priscilla through to the tango," they said.

"Our thanks go to Jason and his partner Alex for being so wonderful and committed to the series. We're sorry to see them leave and we wish Jason a speedy recovery."

Faye Brookes, Lady Leshurr, Colin Jackson, Sonny Jay, and Rebekah Vardy are the last five standing.

Who has quit Dancing On Ice so far?

Photo: Heart Radio

Rufus Hound was the first contestant ruled out of the competition after he tested positive for coronavirus in January. He missed one live show after being forced to isolate after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. Unfortunately, after getting a positive test of his own, he was forced to withdraw, as reported by Metro.co.uk.

Denise Van Outen then quit the series after dislocating her shoulder while in training. She was replaced by Olympian Amy Tinkler and pro partner Joe Johnson. Towie star Billie Faiers was the third celebrity out. The reality star was given a bye week in the second leg of the competition after the death of her grandmother, but she later suffered a nasty head injury after falling and landing headfirst on the ice.

Diagnosed with a concussion, doctors advised that she couldn’t appear for her grand return that week. Unfortunately, because of the show’s rules preventing more than a week’s absence, her time on the show was over. Earlier this month, Joe-Warren Plant became the fourth celebrity to leave the competition after he and his skating partner Vanessa Bauer tested positive for coronavirus. On February 16, it was announced that professional skater Hamish Gaman had been forced to withdraw from the series after snapping a tendon in his hand.

His celebrity partner, Faye Brookes, was partnered with Matt Evers, who was initially with Denise. The latest celebrity to leave the competition is Jason Donovan. The singer had been resting for a week due to back pain, but unfortunately had not made sufficient progress to be able to return to the ice.

READ MORE: Dancing on Ice 2021: Full list of Confirmed Celebrities in the Lineup

Faye Brookes with her new skating partner Matt Evers

Faye Brookes praised her new skating partner Matt Evers. Photo: The Mirror

Faye Brookes' original skating partner Hamish Gaman was recently forced to quit the show after he sustained a finger injury while he was away from the ice.

The former Coronation Street actress was able to stay on the show as she got a new partner in the form of Matt Evers. And it looks like the pair have been getting along well as Faye described Matt as a "dreamboat" after spending time together rehearsing in a post to her Instagram Stories this week.

"Another day spent with this dreamboat @mattevers," she wrote.

Faye previously gushed over the ice dancer when she wrote on her Instagram page last week: "Week one with my new pro @themattevers. The next chapter of my @dancingonice journey has officially begun and I’m so excited to show you our moves! Another day complete. Another challenge accepted. And a whole new routine #dancingonice."

Matt was originally paired with Denise van Outen for the latest round of Dancing on Ice, but Denise had to pull out of the show after she sustained a serious shoulder injury, meaning that Matt was no longer able to skate on the show.

Fortunately, with last week's announcement that Hamish wouldn't be able to return, Matt was called in to pair up with Faye to continue his journey on the ice. Faye wrote a tribute to her former skating partner when he had to leave the show.