Joe Swash has hit out at Dancing on Ice’s ‘terrible decision’ to axe his winning partner Alex Murphy.
The presenter, 38, and the pro ice skater won the 12th series of the show just three months ago, but Alex revealed on Wednesday her contract has not been renewed.
Alex, 31, said the decision had left her ‘bewildered, lost, and devastated’.
What is going on! Joe Swash has hit out at Dancing on Ice’s ‘terrible decision’ to axe his winning partner Alex Murphy (pictured in March)
In response to Alex’s announcement, Joe wrote: ‘What is going on!!! Terrible decision’.
The former EastEnders star was not alone in his comment, with even one of the judges, Ashley Banjo, surprised by the decision.
He wrote: ‘Can’t believe that…’
Hitting out: In response to Alex’s announcement she would not be starring in next year’s series, Joe wrote: ‘What is going on!!! Terrible decision’ (pictured in March)
Furious: Joe threw his support behind Alex following the announcement
Upsetting: Amy’s famous friends and fellow Dancing On Ice stars couldn’t believe the news as they consoled the professional skater in the comments
A number of former Dancing on Ice competitors took to Instagram to convey their shock, with Jane Danson calling the decision ‘crazy’.
The Corrie actress wrote: ‘Crazy decision. You are amazing Murph- love ya xx’, while Brooke Vincent shared: ‘WHATTTTTT (sic)’.
James Jordan posted: ‘Wow! Shocked, hope you are ok (sic)’ and Perri Kiely wrote: ‘No way’.
Shocked:The presenter, 38, and the pro ice skater won the 12th series of the show just three months ago, but Alex revealed on Wednesday her contract has not been renewed
In the statement, Alex announced she had been dropped from Dancing on Ice and said the decision has left her ‘broken-hearted’.
She wrote: ‘It is with a heavy heart that I release the following statement:
‘For the last three years, Dancing On ice has not only been my job, but also what I considered to be my family.
‘I am broken hearted to announced that I have recently been informed that I will not be re-contracted for Dancing On Ice 2021 series.
Champions: The professional skater – who is the reigning champion with Joe Swash – revealed her axing had taken her completely by surprise (pictured in March)
‘This decision has come as a huge shock to me. I absolutely love the show and had hoped to go back for 2021. I have been left feeling bewildered, lost, and devastated.
‘I am so grateful for the three years that I had on this incredible show and I will wholeheartedly miss everyone and everything about it.
‘Though I am heartbroken, I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and although this hurts right now, I will pick myself up and look forward towards the future.
End of an era: Alex said: ‘This decision has come as a huge shock to me. I absolutely love the show and had hoped to go back for 2021. I have been left feeling bewildered and lost’
‘Thank you so much to all my colleagues at DOI and most importantly the viewers for the constant support and love that you have shown me the last 3 years.
‘It was an incredibly part of my list and though it is ending sooner than I would have liked, I am so grateful for the memories.’
An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Each series the Dancing On Ice team looks at our existing line up and explores opportunities to potentially introduce some new faces to the skating professional team.
‘Alex Murphy will not be appearing in the next series and we wish her all the best for the future.’
Alex joined the series as the reigning Dutch Dancing On Ice champion when the British series was revived in 2018.
She was partnered with Love Island’s Kem Cetinay and they finished in fourth place.
The following year she was partnered with Brian McFadden and again, finished in fourth.
For the most recent 2020 season, she was paired up with Michael Barrymore, but the pair never made it onto the ice, as he injured himself in training and had to pull out before the series began.
However from Week 4 onwards, she ended up with Joe Swash when his pro partner Alexandra Schauman sustained an injury and had to stop competing.
The pair went on to be crowned the 2020 Dancing On Ice champions.
Alex and Joe raised eyebrows after their win when they were spotted holding hands while leaving their hotel with co-stars after a late night wrap party.
When approached by MailOnline, Joe Swash’s representatives said: ‘Joe and his skating partner Alex are good friends, and any implication otherwise, is just nonsense.’
Joe is in a relationship with Stacey Solomon and Alex has been dating YouTuber Paul Klein after they met while taking part in Celebrity Coach Trip last year.
Throwback: Alex joined the series as the reigning Dutch Dancing On Ice champion when the British series was revived in 2018. She was partnered with Love Island’s Kem Cetinay