Dancing on Ice viewers have expressed outrage after Ferne McCann became the second celebrity to be eliminated from the show on Sunday night, with no chance to save herself in a skate-off.
The TOWIE star, 34, was sent home during Movie Week after receiving the lowest combined score from judges and public votes.
In a controversial twist, the usual skate-off format was scrapped, meaning McCann and her partner Brendyn Hatfield were immediately eliminated when they landed in last place.
The decision sparked immediate backlash from fans who branded the new format “unfair” and “stupid”.
Earlier in the day, comedian Josh Jones was forced to withdraw from the competition after sustaining an injury during rehearsals but this didn’t mean no elimination would take place on Sunday night.
Host Holly Willoughby confirmed the show would still proceed with an elimination and as the show progressed, McCann and Hatfield performed to September by Earth, Wind and Fire dressed as characters from DreamWorks’ Trolls.
Ferne McCann and Brendyn Hatfield were ‘gutted’ to leave Dancing on Ice
ITV
The Towie star broke down in tears as she bid farewell to the competition, telling hosts Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern she was “absolutely gutted” to be leaving.
Both presenters noticed McCann’s emotional reaction, echoing that she “wasn’t ready” to leave the contest with Hatfield concurring she had “more to give”.
McCann’s departure sparked particular outrage as Sir Steve Redgrave had finished bottom of the leaderboard for the second week running but had still progressed thanks to the voting public.
Taking to X to express their dismay at the result and urge ITV bosses to reinstate the skate-off, one fan raged: “So have I got this right?
“The skate off is dropped so there’s no danger of keeping a competent skater in, its just down to whos most popular not who can skate? Well done, great idea!! #dancingonice.”
A second echoed: “SO GLAD AR CHARLIE IS THROUGH but fact Chelsee and Ferne have gone out in the first two weeks is an absolute JOKE. This ‘no time for the skate off’ b*******s when they spend half an hour filling the time with s*** jokes and chatting with ex Love Island stars. #Fix #DancingOnIce.”
“Ferne was absolutely robbed,” a third blasted. “British public once again voting for personality instead of who can actually skate. Steve should’ve left tonight #DancingOnIce.”
Another commented: “That result is an absolute disgrace. Steve can hardly even stand up on the ice. Ferne should never have gone. Stupid bl**dy public voting Steve through….shame on you!! #dancingonice.”
A fifth fumed: “Well this new format definitely sucks now way Ferne deserved to go tonight thought she smashed her routine… #DancingOnIce.”
And a sixth vowed to stop watching the show: “Ridiculous decision , bring the dance off back, I’m giving up watching it from this week #dancingonice.”
Ferne McCann has become the second contestant eliminated from Dancing on Ice
PA
However, some loved the fact the Olympic rower had made it through again, with one X user chiming in: “Steve Redgrave is a national hero, the fact that he is enormously more popular than reality tv stars should not be a surprise to people.
“That there are viewers shocked by this is a shock to me. #DancingOnIce.” (sic)
McCann’s exit follows in the footsteps of soap star Chelsee Healey who was eliminated at the first hurdle last week.
With two stars now eliminated and another two stars withdrawing through injury, there are just eight contestants left in the skating competition.
