Dancing On Ice returns to ITV January 14 with a whole host of new celebs lacing up their skates and taking to the rink.
But bosses are said to be facing difficulties on set due to a long standing feud between contestent Hannah Spearritt and her former S Club bandmate Rachel Stevens.
While Hannah will be competing on the show, Rachel is expected to be in the studio audience to support boyfriend and pro skater Brendyn Hatfield, with whom she was paired in last year’s series.
In July Hannah was reportedly no longer on speaking terms with the rest of S Club and ‘contacted lawyers’ following her exit from the group after the shocking death of former boyfriend and bandmate Paul Cattermole.
According to The Sun the best case scenario for the producers is to try and keep the two ladies apart during live shows.
Dancing On Ice bosses are said to be facing difficulties on set ahead of the new series due to a long standing feud between contestent Hannah Spearritt (L) and former S Club bandmate Rachel Stevens (R) pictured together in February 2023
While Hannah will be competing, Rachel is expected to be in the studio audience to support boyfriend and pro skater Brendyn Hatfield, who she competed with in last year’s series
With a source saying: ‘Falling on the ice is going to feel warm and painless compared to the cold front that will envelop Dancing On Ice if their paths cross’.
‘The best hope is that Hannah and Rachel are kept apart. But given the series lasts for two months and they could both be in the studio at the same time, that’s not going to be easy’.
MailOnline have contacted Rachel and Hannah’s reps for comment.
Following Hannah’s exit the remaining members – Rachel, Jo O’Meara, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh and Tina Barrett – decided to rename S Club 7 as merely S Club and continue as a five-piece.
Speaking in video posted to Instagram last year, Jon said: ‘You’ve probably noticed that there’s only five of us here today, and although Hannah will always be part of S Club 7, she won’t be joining us on this tour. We wish her all the best for the future.’
However, it was then reported that Hannah was unaware she was not being included on the tour until the post and had been about to sign her contract before being ‘blindsided’ by the launch.
It is thought that Hannah has now signed a contract. But sources close to the star say that she felt ‘betrayed’ after being snubbed from the tour and they fear that the ‘bad blood’ between her and the group means there is ‘little to no chance’ of her making an appearance, according to The Sun.
The source added: ‘Hannah is devastated. She was pushed out, and doesn’t understand why. The rest of S Club has been told not to contact her.’
While Hannah will be competing on the show, Rachel is expected to be in the studio audience to support boyfriend and pro skater Brendyn Hatfield, with whom she was paired in last year’s series (pictured together on the show)
In July Hannah was reportedly no longer on speaking terms with the rest of S Club and ‘contacted lawyers’ following her exit from the group after the shocking death of former boyfriend and bandmate Paul Cattermole (pictured in 2000)
According to reports the best case scenario for the producers is to try and keep the two ladies apart during live shows (pictured together in 2014)
Following Hannah’s exit the remaining members – Rachel, Jo O’Meara, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh and Tina Barrett – decided to rename S Club 7 as merely S Club and continue as a five-piece
The insider claims that Hannah ‘very much wanted to be part of the tour’ but had ‘pushed back on a few details’ prior to signing her contract while the other band members ‘said yes to everything’ and signed immediately.
They add that she was then ‘binned’ after a series of disagreements with S Club creator Simon Fuller and that the rest of the band are now ‘not even speaking to her’.
Representatives for S Club have confirmed that Hannah has not spoken to the rest of the band.
Meanwhile Holly Willoughby is reportedly set to address her three-month TV absence when she returns to Dancing On Ice for the new series.
The TV presenter, 42, is will host the ITV skating show alongside Stephen Mulhern, MailOnline exclusively revealed.
The series kicks off almost three months after she learned of an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.
According to a new report, Holly will thanks her fans for their support in hopes to ‘mark the start’ of a new positive year.
It comes after it was revealed Holly Willoughby is reportedly set to address her three-month TV absence when she returns to Dancing On Ice for the new series (pictured on the show in March 2023)
The TV presenter is returning to host the ITV skating show alongside Stephen Mulhern , MailOnline exclusively revealed
MailOnline has contacted Holly’s representatives for comment.
It comes as Dancing On Ice bosses are said to have offered Holly heightened security and want to make sure she feels completely ‘secure’ on the show, according to The Sun.
The publication also claimed that Holly has signed a one-year rolling contract with an option to step back next year in case she wants a longer break.
An ITV insider told MailOnline: ‘Holly is a star and everyone was so very much hoping that she would decide to come back.
‘After many discussions and a lot of thought, she thought that getting some normality into her life would be a good thing.
‘There are obvious worries about going on live television, her main priority is her family, ITV have been hugely understanding and have not put any pressure on her at all.’
DANCING ON ICE: MEET THE 2024 CONTESTANTS
RICKY HATTON
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: Former pro boxer
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘If I can hold my nerve in the boxing ring I should be able to hold my nerve in the ice rink’
HANNAH SPEARRITT
AGE: 42
PROFESSION: SINGER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I’m really excited about learning a new skill. It’s so easy to live your comfortable life and that aspect of mixing things up is very appealing’
GREG RUTHERFORD
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Athlete
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I like a challenge and I needed a reason to go out and do stuff again and here we are. I want to perform something that’s never been done before, that’s my aim.’
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards
AGE: 59
PROFESSION: OLYMPIC SKI JUMPER
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Dancing on Ice is a show I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a challenge I think I’m going to relish!’
RICKY NORWOOD
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: EastEnders star
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘It’s come at such a great time in life. I can’t skate at all! No rehearsals as yet, I’ve just had some physiotherapy to strengthen the body.’
RYAN THOMAS
AGE: 39
PROFESSION: Corrie star
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Everyone keeps asking me, “are you doing it?” I’ve 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 will feel. But I am very excited.’
AMBER DAVIES
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: WEST END STAR
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I would definitely say that I’m an adrenaline junkie but I do get more nervous as I get older and I hope that I can contain them’
MILES NAZAIRE
AGE: 27
PROFESSION: REALITY STAR
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I’ve always loved to dance but it’s usually on a dance floor on a Saturday night and Dancing on Ice looks so difficult.’
LOU SANDERS
AGE: 37
PROFESSION: COMEDIAN
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I’m nervous about cracking my head open, or just bashing 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 ”bricking it on ice” for me! I think the hardest part is putting myself out there as I usually hide away’
ROXY SHAHIDI
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: Emmerdale star
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I can’t ice-skate. I haven’t really said anything to anyone but mainly because I’m so nervous about it!’
