Dancing on Ice professionals now – sudden death, stroke, gruesome injury and brutal axe

Dancing on Ice has seen some of the world’s top figure skaters take to its TV ice rink over the years, but some of the skating professionals have suffered shock exits and, sadly, tragic deaths.

The ITV ice skating show, hosted by This Morning stars Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, sends celebrities to battle it out on the ice rink in the hopes of impressing the judges.

The show boasts an expert cast of skaters, including world champion figure skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, who sit on the judging panel.

With this year’s grand final fast approaching, Daily Star have taken a look at where the show’s professional skaters went after they left the show.

Alex Murphy

Alex was crowned Dancing on Ice champion when she was partnered with I’m A Celeb winner Joe Swash in 2020.

The American pro skater replaced Alex Schauman to dance with Joe, and she previously starred in the Dutch version of DIO.

However, she was axed from the show in June 2020 – just months after she won the contest.

The skater said she didn’t know why she hadn’t been kept on, and found the news a “huge shock”.

In a public statement, she said: “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.

“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.”

Alex suffered a terrifying stroke on a cruise sailing near the Canary Islands back in 2012.

The star spent a week in hospital following the nightmare ordeal before finding out she had a hole in her heart, which was fixed with keyhole surgery.

Sean Rice

The Dancing on Ice community was heartbroken to discover past pro Sean Rice had passed away last month.

Sean starred on DOI between 2011 and 2012 – and danced with former newsreader Angela Rippon before pairing up with Alpine ski racer Chemmy Alcott a year later.

Rice was just 49-years-old when he passed away on January 14, and although the cause of his passing hasn’t been revealed, his close friend Frankie Poultney announced the tragic news on Twitter.

Frankie wrote: “Pro skaters are heartbroken today, we lost a true larger than life great – an epic skater, a husband, father, and my friend of 20 years.

“Sean Rice, 20/07/72 – 14/01/22 gone too soon, but we will Love You For A Thousand Years. All of our thoughts are with Signey and Jodeyne.”

Leading tributes on Twitter, Chemmy said: “Have just heard the tragic news that Sean Rice, my partner from DOI, has passed away.

“The world will miss your amazing energy and your healing hands. All my love to J and S.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for Sean’s wife Jodeyne Higgins and their daughter Signey.

Hamish Gaman

Hamish started appearing on the ITV show in 2018, and he went on to skate in four series before he was forced to hang up his skating shoes.

During his time, he was paired up with the likes of Olympic athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton and Finnish singer Sarah Aalto.

However, the star was gutted to find out he had not been invited back for the 2022 series of the show – telling fans producers wanted to “freshen up the line-up”.

In a statement, heartbroken Hamish said: “I’m sad to confirm that I’m not returning to Dancing On Ice this year. The producers told me that they weren’t bringing me back because they wanted to freshen up the lineup.

“I was completely surprised by their decision and I’ve been left confused and struggling to make sense of everything that’s happened.”

Despite the axe, he revealed his skating partner Vannessa Bauer would remain his skating partner away from the show, adding that he would “miss” skating for her.

Brianne Delcourt

Brianne quit Dancing on Ice in 2020 – after wowing the nation for 10 years on the show.

The pro found love with her former skating partner Kevin Kilbane – after being paired up with the footballer during the 2019 series.

Sparks flew between the two, and Kevin was so smitten that he proposed to her before the series finale had ended.

She told Hello! magazine about why she decided to walk away from the show – admitting she’d been struggling with the decision.

She said: “It has been a back-and-forth question mark in my mind for some time now.

“The hardest part will be missing my DoI family and I have so much to thank the show for, including introducing me to my absolute soulmate in Kevin.

“I’m 39 – 40 in February – and I’ve been on the road for so long and as a working mum – a single mum. I really had to work hard for everything on my own. The show has been a huge part of my life and part of Gracie’s too.”

Brianne and Kevin tied the knot in September 2020, and they welcomed their daughter Olivia Mai last year.

Yebin Mok

Hamish wasn’t the only professional to get the chop before this year’s series, because Yebin Mok and Klabera Komini were also replaced by new recruits/

Yebin was forced to withdraw from the 2020 series after her leg was lacerated by a stab wound caused by an ice blade.

She had been partnered with Olympic skier Graham Bell at the time, and admitted having to pull out broke her heart.

However, Yebin has gone on to welcome her daughter Lillia with her partner Dr Tom Naylor – giving their son Theo a little sister.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk