Dancing On Ice viewers call for Johnny Weir to be permanent judge on ITV show as he replaces Ashley Banjo
Dancing On Ice viewers are calling for Johnny Weir to be a permanent judge on the ITV show as he replaced Ashley Banjo on Sunday’s show.
American figure skater Johnny, 39, made his debut on the judging panel during Musicals Week and also performed for fans.
Professional dancer Ashley, 35, announced on last Sunday’s show that he is taking a break from DOI to hit the road with his dance group Diversity.
Ashley will return to the panel in time for the show’s semi-final alongside Oti Mabuse, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
Johnny immediately won over the audience with his intelligent criticism, with fans impressed by his constructive comments.
Dancing On Ice viewers are calling for Johnny Weir to be a permanent judge on the ITV show as he replaced Ashley Banjo on Sunday’s show
Professional dancer Ashley, 35, announced on last Sunday’s show that he is taking a break from DOI to hit the road with his dance group Diversity
Viewers demanded the pro skater be drafted as permanent replacement for Ashley, with one token: ‘Can we please keep Johnny’
Another wrote: ‘Can we have Johnny Weir as a judge every week? He is SO much better than Ashley. He knows what he’s talking about when it comes to skating and he actually gives harsh and real criticism.”
Johnny, who competed on season 29 of Dancing with the Stars in the US, is preparing to fly to London for the next show.
On Monday, Johnny broke his silence on the news, telling his Instagram followers: ‘Good morning everyone, I’ve just jumped on the ice for my last workout before I head to London tomorrow to take part in Dancing On Ice, one of the biggest skate TV shows in the world.
‘In all my 27 years of skating I have never performed on the ice in the UK, so I’m looking forward to seeing all the couples perform and sitting next to Jane and Christopher!’
It comes after Claire Sweeney became the latest star to leave the series after ending up in the dreaded skate-off with Lou Sanders on Sunday.
Johnny immediately won over the audience with his intelligent criticism, with fans impressed by his constructive comments
Ashley will return to the panel in time for the show’s semi-final alongside Oti Mabuse, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean
Fans of the show were delighted to see a new jury, with one penning: ‘Can we keep Johnny please’
The soap star, 52, despite dislocating her rib during rehearsals, had taken to the ice rink for a burlesque themed performance as she skated and sang live.
After the skate-off, judges Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabus, Jayne Torville and Christopher Dean announced that they wanted to save the ‘strongest skater’.
The Corrie actress was criticized earlier in the show for spending too much time off the ice while lifting.
The packed show also included a shocking twist when host Holly Willoughby announced that a shocking double eviction would take place next week.
Claire talked about her ‘incredible’ time in the competition and how proud she was to have eight-year-old son Jaxon in the audience.
DANCING ON ICE: MEET THE PARTICIPANTS OF 2024
RICKY HATTON
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: Former professional boxer
WHAT DID HE SAY? “If I can control my nerves in the boxing ring, I should also be able to control my nerves on the ice rink.”
HANNA SPEARRITT
AGE: 42
PROFESSION: SINGER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I’m really excited about learning a new skill. It’s so easy to live a comfortable life and that aspect of mixing things up is very attractive.’
GREG RUTHERFORD
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Athlete
WHAT DID HE SAY? “I like a challenge and I needed a reason to start doing things again and here we are. I want to do something that has never been done before, that’s my goal.’
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards
AGE: 59
PROFESSION: OLYMPIC SKIUMPER
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Dancing on Ice is a show I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a challenge I think I’ll enjoy!’
RICKY NORWOOD
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: EastEnders star
WHAT DID HE SAY? “It comes at such a great time in life. I can’t skate at all! No rehearsals yet, I just had physiotherapy to strengthen the body.’
RIAN THOMAS
AGE: 39
PROFESSION: Corrie star
WHAT DID HE SAY? “Everyone keeps asking me, ‘Are you doing it?’ I told everyone!’
CLAIRE SWEENEY
AGE: 52
PROFESSION: ACTRESS
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I am stepping into the unknown here. I don’t know how I’ll feel. But I’m very excited.’
AMBER DAVIES
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: WEST END STAR
WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I would definitely say I’m an adrenaline junkie, but I’m getting more nervous as I get older and I hope I can control them.”
MILES NAZAIRE
AGE: 27
PROFESSION: REALITY STAR
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I’ve always loved to dance, but usually it’s on a dance floor on a Saturday night and Dancing on Ice looks so difficult.’
NICE SANDERS
AGE: 37
PROFESSION: COMEDIAN
WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I’m nervous about cracking my head open or just hitting the old head. I can’t afford to lose any more brain cells.’
ADELE ROBERTS
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: RADIO PRESENTER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘It’s ‘putting it on ice’ for me! I think the hardest part is putting myself out there because most of the time I hide.”
ROXY SHAHIDI
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: Emmerdale star
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I can’t skate. I haven’t actually said anything to anyone, but mainly because I’m so nervous about it!’