EXCLUSIVE: Ice skater Colin Grafton has revealed he wasn’t surprised Dancing On Ice was axed following the latest series but some of his colleagues found out in a brutal way
Dancing On Ice star Colin Grafton has opened up on how he discovered the show had been axed as he shared his next steps. The professional ice skater had been part of the ITV show for three seasons before the plug was pulled.
Last month, the Mirror revealed how the show was not going to be returning to screens for its 20th anniversary. ITV bosses later confirmed the series, which first aired in 2006, has ended after viewing figures dwindled to below 3million for the last series.
Judges Torvill and Dean also revealed they are retiring following the end of their tour next month. Despite hints that the 2025 series was going to be the last, the new wasn’t revealed until it had come to an end.
Skater Colin, who was paired with the Traitors Mollie Pearce on the latest series, revealed he had a «nice call» from show bosses to tell him the news.
However, amid the speculation over Dancing On Ice’s future, Colin revealed some of his colleagues sadly found out the news through media reports.
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, he said: «It didn’t come as a shock. I did get a call from somebody from ITV but it was quite quick. We all sort of had a little idea but nothing confirmed at all.
«I don’t think ITV even knew, they have to wait to see if it’s been recommissioned. As soon as they got the news that it’s going to be rested for now they tried to call us as fast possible.»
Colin added: «But of course it was in the press quite fast so I think some people were a bit shocked because they had seen it there first, rather than a call.»
The skater reiterated: «I had a nice call from management, so that was nice but it was sad, of course.»
Speaking about the impact of the show’s axe on the stars, Colin said: «That bond will always be there. There’s a famous saying we always say in skating, and it’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you later.»
Dancing On Ice launched in 2006 but first ended after its ninth run in 2014, when Torvill and Dean said they wanted to leave “on a high”. Four years later the show was rebooted with the pair swapping their role as mentors to the contestants for the judging panel.
Colin said he would return in a heartbeat if the show was rebooted in the future and admitted he would want the public to have a say in how to improve the show.
«It’s a very very challenging show for everybody involved with celebrities professionals. It has a system, the way it needs to work, to get the end result but i think it’d be you know great if the public really had their say in it if it was to come back, which hopefully it does.»
In the meantime, Colin has thrown himself into touring the world thanks to his skating career. After taking time off from work following Dancing On Ice’s axe, he is ready to get back to it.
He is currently in Mexico as part of show Illusion On Ice that will run into next month. Colin is then set to head to Japan for another skating show before returning to the UK.
«I’ve travelled my entire life, from skating when I competed for Team USA.. I’m so used to travel,» he told us. «So I do like travelling for a bit of the year, but the older I get, the more I want to be a little bit more settled.
«The plan is to come back to the UK. I do have some really exciting projects coming up in the UK, so I’m excited for September, October time. I don’t think I’m allowed to mention it yet, but it’s something completely different from skating, but still performing.»
The Mirror has contacted ITV for comment.
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