In a devastating blow to one of Britain’s most recognisable TV presenters, Holly Willoughby’s much-hyped return to Dancing On Ice has turned into a ratings nightmare. The glittering ice-skating extravaganza, which once pulled in millions of viewers every Sunday night, has crashed to its lowest-ever figures – and insiders are whispering that the public simply hasn’t forgiven Holly after the explosive fallout from the Phillip Schofield scandal.

The 2025 series opener, which aired in January, attracted a pitiful average of just 2.9 million viewers across ITV and streaming platform ITVX – a shocking drop from the 3.6 million who tuned in for last year’s launch. Peak figures barely scraped 3.1 million, a far cry from the glory days when the show regularly commanded audiences of 8-12 million. Viewers were once glued to their screens for the glitz, glamour, and gravity-defying routines – but now, it seems, they’re switching off in droves.

The decline has been brutal. Historical peaks saw the show soar to over 10 million in its early years, with launch episodes drawing 9 million or more. But the 2025 series has haemorrhaged viewers week after week, dipping as low as 2.4 million by mid-season. ITV bosses, already reeling from the cost of celebrity fees, professional skaters, judges, and a purpose-built rink, are said to be questioning whether the format – and Holly’s star power – can survive.

Adding fuel to the fire, Holly’s emotional farewell post on Instagram after the show’s axing in March 2025 raised eyebrows. The 44-year-old shared heartfelt thanks to the team, crew, celebrities, and national treasures Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, writing: “Every year, just when January felt at its greyest, Dancing on Ice arrived like a burst of glittering, dazzling light, warm, joyful, and full of heart… It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside true national treasures Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.”

But conspicuously absent? Any mention of her former co-host and once-best friend, Phillip Schofield. The omission has sent tongues wagging, with fans and insiders speculating that the bitter rift between the two remains as frosty as the ice rink itself.

The scandal that shattered their partnership exploded in 2023 when Schofield admitted to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague on This Morning. The revelation led to his abrupt exit from ITV, including Dancing On Ice, where he had co-hosted with Holly since 2006. Their once-inseparable friendship – complete with family holidays and on-screen chemistry – crumbled overnight. Holly stepped away from This Morning later that year amid her own personal trauma, including a horrifying kidnap plot.

When Holly returned to Dancing On Ice in 2024 alongside new co-host Stephen Mulhern, many hoped it would mark a fresh start. Instead, it appears the public’s lingering resentment – or simply fatigue with the format – has sealed the show’s fate. ITV confirmed in March 2025 that the series would be “rested” with no plans for a return in 2026, ending a 19-year run that once dominated Sunday nights.

Insiders claim Holly’s comeback failed to “save the sinking ship,” with some blaming her association with the Schofield era. “The public hasn’t forgotten the drama,” one TV source told us. “Holly’s return was meant to be a triumphant comeback, but the numbers don’t lie – viewers have turned their backs.”

Others point to broader issues: the show’s tired format, high production costs, and competition from streaming services. But the Schofield shadow looms large. Holly’s pointed silence about her old co-host in her farewell post has only intensified rumours of ongoing bad blood. Schofield, who has since made a low-key TV return, has reportedly been privately scathing about the show’s demise.

For Holly, the fallout is career-defining. The presenter, once ITV’s golden girl, now finds herself without a primetime slot on the network for the first time in over two decades. She’s reportedly turned down lucrative deals, focusing instead on family and new opportunities.

As Dancing On Ice skates off into the sunset, the question remains: has Holly Willoughby truly been left out in the cold? Or is this just the end of one chapter for a star who’s weathered more storms than most?

With ratings at rock bottom and old wounds still raw, Britain’s ice princess may need a miracle to thaw her career.