ITV viewers tuning into the first episode of the new series of Dancing on Ice have hit out at the show over its tribute to former contestant The Vivienne, who died last week at the age of 32.
Presenter Holly Willoughby paid tribute to drag queen James Lee Williams after the show’s opening performance by the professional skaters, which featured impressive lifts and jumps from the figure skaters dressed in pink, blue and yellow.
After welcoming the celebrity contestants on to the ice, Holly paid tribute to The Vivienne, who came third on the show in 2023 after winning the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019.
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Looking into the camera, Holly said: “Before we move on, like us, many of you will have been saddened by the tragic news of The Vivienne’s passing last weekend. Now they were a huge part of our show, making it all the way to the final in 2023. They’ll be very sorely missed and our thoughts are with The Vivienne’s loved ones at this time. So sad.”
Viewers were expecting the show to pay tribute to the former contestant in some way, but they were left confused after thinking there might be more to it. Some fans said they expected a picture of The Vivienne to appear or to see some clips of their performances.
Fans took to social media to air their disappointment, with some slamming the show for not putting more effort into the tribute. “THATS IT!?,” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Not even a black a white image? Appalling.”
Another commented: “I thought that they might of said/done a little more when it came to paying homage to The Vivienne, showing previous clips and, or a dance routine in memory of perhaps.”
A third said: “That tribute from Dancing On Ice for The Vivienne was absolutely disgusting. No VT, no picture on the big screen… the opening dance could’ve been a dedication. Seemed like no feeling or care at all in that.”
A fourth added: “Nah Dancing On Ice making out they were doing a tribute to The Vivienne and they say practically nothing,” while another wrote: “Was that seriously the tribute for The Vivienne they were talking about?? Hoping there’s something else later on in the show because that’s the only reason why I tuned in.”
A final fan asked: “Is that it for a tribute to The Vivienne? A few words why can’t we at least see some dances etc.”
ITV said it did not wish to respond to the tweets when contacted by the Manchester Evening News.
At the time of The Vivienne’s death, the show said in a statement on Instagram: “Everyone at Dancing on Ice is so deeply saddened by the passing of James Lee Williams, best known to our audiences as The Vivienne. Making TV history through their groundbreaking and spellbinding skating partnership with Colin Grafton, James’ unique vitality and fearless spirit entranced audiences week after week, as they became the first drag act to reach the final of the show.”
Contestants taking part in this year’s series include Coronation Street actor Sam Aston, reality star Ferne McCann and retired Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave. Former EastEnders actress Charlie Brooks, reality star Dan Edgar, The Traitors contestant Mollie Pearce, comedian Josh Jones, soap star Chelsee Healey, presenter Michaela Strachan and former footballer Anton Ferdinand are also taking part.
Stephen Mulhern stepped in as Holly’s co-presenter on the reality competition after Phillip Schofield resigned from the broadcaster in 2023.
