Dancing On Ice viewers all have the same complaint as the ITV show returns for a brand new series

Dancing On Ice viewers all had the same complaint when the ITV series returned for a brand new series on Sunday.

The opening episode saw six couples head to the ice rink and Holly Willoughby return to TV almost three months after an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her, with Stephen Mulhern making his debut as co-host after playing the scandal-ridden Phillip Schofield had replaced.

But fans couldn’t resist criticizing the number of commercial breaks during the 90-minute premiere, with one claiming there was “more commercials than skating.”

On X, formerly known as Twitter, one viewer wrote: ‘Dancing on Ice? They should have called it ‘Dancing Between Ads’.

While a second said: ‘The one thing I hate about DOI… commercials after every gig just to eat up time.’

And: ‘All those commercials get in the way of Dancing On Ice’.

Another complained: ‘Oh ffs more ads’.

With another writing: ‘Too many ads as usual’.

While a sixth called the show ‘Adverts on Ice’.

Someone else said cheekily: I like a bit of Dancing On Ice between the commercials.’

And: ‘These advertisements are very nice. Only let down by the brief intervals of someone on skates.”

Holly dazzled in a silver strappy dress as she welcomed her new co-host Stephen and opened the star-studded launch show by saying: ‘We’re off!’, before asking fans to give her new co-host a warm welcome.

She added: ‘And can we also extend a warm welcome to Stephen Mulhern!’

Boxer Ricky Hatton and his professional partner Robin Johnstone were later announced as the first couple to face the dreaded skate off, which will take place next week.

He received just 12.5 points from judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse, leaving them bottom of the leaderboard.

Ricky, dressed in a boxing outfit, wore knee pads as he referenced boxing moves on the ice and did push-ups to Bill Conti’s Rocky movie theme Gonna Fly Now with his skating partner Robin.

Judge Ashley described his performance as ‘iconic’ and added that he should be proud of the crowd’s reaction.

Before hitting the ice, Ricky received a special message from fellow boxer Tyson Fury, wishing him the best of luck on the show.

Elsewhere, Greg Rutherford and his professional partner Vanessa James, who scored 24.5 out of 40 for their Don’t stop me now routine.

Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi was lifted into a helicopter flight as she entered the ice rink for the first time.

Judge Oti praised her for a ‘beautiful sultry performance’ on You Don’t Own Me by Say Grace with French ice dancer Sylvain Longchambon.

However, Mabuse said Shahidi should put her shoulders down to make her movements look better.

The audience booed like Shahidi and received a total of 20 out of 40 points from the jury.

Amber Davies was next on ice and revealed her goal is to do better than her ex-boyfriend Kem Cetinay.

Love Island star and pro skater Simon Proulx Sénécal achieved an impressive score of 25 after his performance on Kylie Minogue’s Hold On To Now.

Despite a nasty fall during training, she managed to impress the judges with her debut performance.

Jayne said: ‘I loved all the beautiful positions, I think this is the best spiral I’ve seen on the ice in a long time.’

Hannah Spearritt took to the ice with her professional partner Andy Buchanan and performed to Ariane Grande’s Break Free.

The former S Club 7 star received a total of 19.5 out of a total of 40 points from the jury.

Judge Jaye Torvill said: ‘Well done for doing such difficult lifts.’

She added: “We need to see more of basic skating. Things are getting better, but you could do more.’

Former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas closed the show, taking first place on the leaderboard with 26.5.

Oti told the actor, “Ryan Thomas, I didn’t expect that. That was absolutely brilliant.’

After the performance he said, “You just have to focus on getting the job, but we’re really made up.”