Bosses at ITV are preparing for a tense off-screen clash between two of its celebrity contestants ahead of the return of Dancing on Ice.
The ice skating competition is set to return to our screens in just over a week’s time. The series is set to see the return of Holly Willoughby together with Stephen Mulhern, who is replacing former host Phillip Schofield.
Twelve celebrity contestants have signed up to take part in the newest edition of the show. Amongst the celebs who have agreed to take part are boxer Ricky Hatton, Emmerdale star Roxy Shahidi and Olympic long jumper Greg Rutherford.
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But now producers are bracing themselves for a brutal off-screen clash between another two of its participants. Bosses are being told to keep S Club 7 stars Hannah Spearritt and Rachel Stevens apart as the former bandmates rub each other the wrong way.
(Image: Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Spearritt is gearing up for her first routine on the show together with professional partner Andy Buchanan. Rachel herself may not be competing in the show herself, but she is set to be a regular presence on the programme as her boyfriend Brendyn Hatfield, who is the professional skater paired with comedian Lou Sanders.
Brendyn and Rachel first got together in 2022 after they were paired by ITV bosses when Rachel took part in the show herself. Despite the duo failing to impress the judges and being sent home in the third week of the show, the pair’s blossoming relationship has continued to grow.
But should Rachel be in the studio to support her partner, she will also have be put face-to-face with her ex-bandmate Hannah. The pair have been on thin ice with each other, with a long-running feud reported to be between the two.
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
Speaking to The Sun, a source close to the show said: “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.”
The potential for a run-in between the two comes after Hannah was accused of missing “several” training sessions ahead of her first performance. Spearitt has been reported to be skipping the training, which has sparked concern from ITV bosses who think she might not be ready to take to the ice on time.
As well as this, tensions will be running high between Rachel and Hannah after Spearritt dramatically quit the band weeks before embarking on a reunion tour. She was set to take part in the gigs until the death of fellow bandmate Paul Cattermole in April “changed everything” and she no longer felt it was the right thing to do.
(Image: Press Association)
Since quitting the band, Hannah has not spoken to her former co-stars. However, in a recent interview she said that she “wishes them well” in the new tour, signalling there is no bad blood between the two.
Dancing on Ice returns to ITV1 and ITVX on January 14.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
