Ricky Hatton and his professional partner Robin Johnstone are facing the first skate off in next week’s Dancing On Ice.
The former world champion boxer, 45, received 12.5 points from judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse, leaving them placed at bottom of the leaderboard.
Dressed in a boxing outfit, Ricky wore knee pads as he referenced boxing moves on the ice and did press-ups to Rocky movie theme tune Gonna Fly Now by Bill Conti with his skating partner Robin.
Judge Ashley branded his performance ‘iconic’, while adding he could be proud of the audience’s reaction.
Dancing On Ice returned for another year on Sunday evening with a start-studded launch and Holly Willoughby making her grand return to TV.
Ricky Hatton and his professional partner Robin Johnstone are facing the first skate off in next week’s Dancing On Ice
The presenter, 42, looked incredible in a dazzling silver strappy dress as she welcomed new co-host Stephen Mulhern, 46, to the show.
And judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse returned to the ice panel for another year.
Opening the first live show was Greg Rutherford and his professional partner Vanessa James, who scored 24.5 out of 40 for their routine to Don’t stop me now.
Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi was lifted into a helicopter move as she took to the rink for the first time.
Dancing On Ice returned for another year on Sunday evening with a start-studded launch and Holly Willoughby making her grand return to TV
The presenter, 42, looked incredible in a dazzling silver strappy dress as she welcomed new co-host Stephen Mulhern, 46, to the show
Judge Oti praised her for a ‘beautiful sultry performance’ to You Don’t Own Me by Say Grace with French ice dancer Sylvain Longchambon.
However, Mabuse said Shahidi needed to put her shoulders down to help the look of her movements.
The audience booed as Shahidi and were awarded a total of 20 out of 40 points by the judges.
Ricky Hatton, who was paired with Robin Johnstone, was given a disappointing 12.5 out of 40 for his shaky performance.
Judge Ashley said his performance was ‘iconic’ and said he could be proud of the audience’s reaction.
Before taking to the ice, Ricky received a special message from fellow boxer Tyson Fury, wishing him good luck on the show.
Amber Davies was next up on the ice and revealed her goal is to do better than her ex-boyfriend Kem Cetinay.
Opening the first live show was Greg Rutherford and his professional partner Vanessa James, who scored 24.5 out of 40 for their routine to Don’t stop me now
Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi was lifted into a helicopter move as she took to the rink for the first time
Ricky Hatton, who was paired with Robin Johnstone, was given a disappointing 12.5 out of 40 for his shaky performance
The Love Island star and pro skater Simon Proulx Sénécal bagged an impressive score of 25 after performing to Hold On To Now by Kylie Minogue.
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 that 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, performing to Break Free by Ariane Grande.
The former S Club 7 star was given a total of 19.5 out of a possible 40 points by the judges.
Judge Jaye Torvill said: ‘Well done for doing such difficult lifts.’
She added: ‘We need to see more of the basic skating. It is improving but you could do more.’
Former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas closed the show and bagged the top spot on the leaderboard with 26.5.
Oti told the actor: ‘Ryan Thomas I did not expect that. That was absolutely brilliant.’
Speaking after the performance, he said: ‘You just have to concentrate on getting the job, but we are really made up.’
Holly made her return to TV after kidnap ordeal made her retreat from the limelight.
And at the start of the show, she said: ‘We are off!’ before asking fans to give her new co-host a warm reception.
She added: ‘And also can we just say a huge welcome to Stephen Mulhern!’
Stephen has replaced Phillip Schofield, who had presented the show with Holly since 2006.
Stephen is taking Phillip Schofield’s place on Dancing On Ice, after he hosted the show with Holly before he was fired by ITV
Judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse returned to the ice panel for another year
The pair then announced a shake-up to the DOI vote as fans give their verdict.
Both hosts told viewers this year they’ve ditched telephone voting, meaning to save your favourite you’ll have to vote online.
Other celebs competing in this year’s series include Claire Sweeney, Miles Nazaire, Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, Lou Sanders, Ricky Norwood and Adele Roberts – who will all perform next week.
It comes after Dancing On Ice 2023 came to a glittering close in March last year as the final three celebrities got their skates on for one last hurrah.
Nile Wilson and his partner Olivia Smart (pictured above, centre) ultimately took home the win, after beating Joey Essex and Vanessa Bauer and The Vivienne and Colin Grafton.
Dancing on Ice is on ITV1 on Sunday nights, at 6.30pm.
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!’
