Dancing On Ice cast and crew ‘fear show and are up-in-arms over injuries and setbacks’

The cast and crew of Dancing On Ice are reportedly ‘up-in-arms’ over the show after four stars were forced to quit the series.

According to reports from The Sun on Saturday, those behind-the-scenes feel the show is cursed and fear appearing on it when it returns on February 28.

A source speaking to the publication claimed: ‘Everyone backstage is up-in-arms about all the accidents and drop-outs. It’s unprecedented.’

The source went on: ‘It feels like a curse. Like everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. 

‘Some people wonder if we’ll last until the end of the series. And all because of the number 13!’

MailOnline has contacted Dancing On Ice representatives for comment. 

Earlier this week, Dancing On Ice bosses dismissed rumours they’re bringing back past winners in a desperate bid to keep the ‘cursed’ show on air.

A source had claimed executives held meetings about the best possible options to help fill the programme’s two-hour slot, after four celebrities were forced to drop out from the series.

However, an ITV representative told MailOnline: ‘No such meetings or conversations have taken place. The current series in its usual format will resume on Sunday 28th February.’  

An insider previously told The Sun: ‘The production team are in overdrive and all sorts of ideas have been thrown around. The worst case scenario was pulling the show but they know they can’t allow that.

‘Options included bringing back former champs and their partners to perform one-off routines. The team also mooted the idea of having more pro routines which could help fill time and would be visually impressive.

‘Meetings have been taking place all week and the team have been told all ideas are welcome.’

Presenter and former EastEnders actor Joe Swash was crowned the winner of the 2020 series, while soap star Hayley Tamaddon, X Factor’s Jake Quickenden and ex-Hear’Say member Suzanne Shaw have also taken home the coveted title.  

The show’s denial came after Hamish Gaman quit following a hand injury, with celebrity partner Faye Brookes forced to continue the show with replacement Matt Evers, who had taken to the rink with Denise Van Outen.

The professional skater, 37, bowed out after hurting his hand ‘whilst putting on a sock’. 

An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline earlier this week: ‘Sadly we can confirm that Hamish Gaman, who has been partnered with Faye Brookes, has had to withdraw from the competition. 

‘We thank him for all his hard work and wish him the very best as he takes some time out to allow his injury to fully heal.’ 

The ‘heartbroken’ athlete broke his silence on his departure on Thursday as he wrote: ‘Hi everyone. I’m heartbroken that I’ll no longer be skating with @faye_brookes on @dancingonice. 

‘I’m so grateful that I don’t need any surgery on my finger, but if I stay in the show I could have an accident and make my injury much worse (it is series 13).

‘Coaching Faye for 4+ months has been a privilege and I’m so proud of the incredible skater that she’s become. 

I remember her being scared of skating backwards and wondering if she’d ever be able to do a 3-turn or backward crossover. Faye, you’ve come so far and achieved so much.

‘The first two videos are the lifts that Faye and I were going to do in our next routine. Our song choice was ‘Into the Unknown’ from Frozen 2 ❄️ Faye and I were so excited to skate to this song together.

‘I can’t wait for the pubs to finally reopen so that Faye, @iamjustjoe, @ameliaskating, and I can all go for a pint. Faye, your friendship and support means the world to me. Thank you for everything.’ 

Dancing On Ice will be taking a break this Sunday to give the skaters time to recover following a series of axes. 

The show has been filled with drama as Jason Donovan pulled out of last week’s edition after suffering from back pain.

The Australian actor and singer, 52 – who is competing on the show with professional skater Alexandra Schauman – was advised to rest, but has vowed to return on Sunday. 

Former Neighbours star Jason said in a statement: ‘I’ve had back pain the past couple of days and I’m under doctor’s orders to take it easy and sit this week out. 

‘I’m resting up, I’ll be watching from home and cheering everyone on and I look forward to returning next week.’  

Days earlier, Emmerdale’s Joe-Warren Plant and his partner Vanessa Bauer withdrew after they both tested positive for COVID-19.

TV star Joe’s exit was another blow in a string of disappointments, after Denise, Billie Faiers, and Rufus Hound all left this year’s show, prompting viewers to call the 2021 edition ‘cursed’. 

So many celebrities have been forced to drop out of Dancing On Ice that for the first time in its history, the show has run out of reserves.  

Soap star Joe said he was ‘disappointed’ to not be able to continue with the show, while Vanessa, 24, said she was ‘heartbroken’. 

The dancer revealed the pair got the ‘shock’ phone call during rehearsals on last week and said they ‘both feel fine’.   

Announcing his departure, Joe said in a statement: ‘Having tested positive for Covid this now means the end of the competition for Vanessa and I. 

‘I have loved every minute of being a part of Dancing On Ice and I am disappointed as I feel I had so much more to give and was working hard to perfect each performance. 

‘Thank you so much to Vanessa for being a fantastic teacher and although its been cut short, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this experience.

‘Thank you to all the crew who have been brilliant and especially thanks to the other cast members, they have been hugely supportive and I wish them all the very best.’ 

Vanessa, meanwhile, shared a picture of herself and Joe on the ice during rehearsals and penned: ‘We are heartbroken. Joe and I feel fine, but our COVID tests came back positive and that means the end for us on @dancingonice. 

‘I am writing this in tears as I’ve loved every minute on this years show with @joewarrenplant! He is the best partner I could have wished for, we worked so hard for months, had so much fun together and had SO SO much more to show 

‘It feels surreal as we were training up until last evening before the shock call hit us… ⁣

‘It is devastating that our journey has been cut short like this but we both still had the time of our lives. ⁣We love @dancingonice and want to thank everybody for the support this year’. (sic)

An ITV spokesperson added: ‘We can confirm that following positive Covid tests, Joe-Warren Plant and Vanessa Bauer have had to withdraw from this year’s competition. 

‘They’ve been wonderful on the show this year and we thank them for all their dedication and beautiful performances.’ 

Joe was one of the front runners in the competition as he performed an impressive Quickstep earlier this month, which garnered 32.5 points out of 40. 

Sources have since reported that they could make a comeback if they receive negative Covid-19 tests.  

Comedian Rufus, 41, was axed from the competition last month after he tested positive for the virus twice. 

Matt Richardson was brought in as his replacement, but was axed during his first show, which took place last Sunday.  

TOWIE narrator Denise, 46, and Mummy Diaries’ Billie, 31, both dropped out of the series after hurting themselves on the ice.

The West End star dislocated her shoulder, while the mother-of-two suffered a concussion after falling on her head in training.

The programme has come under fire from viewers who were concerned by how many celebrities and professional skaters were requiring medical treatment, putting further strain on the NHS. 

Both figure skaters Yebin Mok and Andy Buchanan were sent to hospital after suffering injury while rehearsing with their respective partners Graham Bell and Rebekah Vardy. 

Myleene Klass, who was sent home in Week 1, also sustained a broken toe and torn knee cartilage from training.