DANCING on Ice bosses have been forced to end the series early after a spate of injuries and COVID-19 dropouts.
Producers took the decision to bring the ITV show’s final forward to March 14, rather than March 21, due to a lack of celebrities.
Dancing On Ice has been cut short for the first time
The unprecedented move comes after a series of freak injuries, and two coronavirus diagnoses.
Bosses even had to call on both stand-in celebrities for the first time in the programme’s 13 year history.
A show source said: “Everybody is absolutely gutted that it’s come to this.
“But ultimately, due to injuries and shooting the show during a pandemic, they’ve been left with no choice.
“They can’t compromise on the quality of the programme, so in order to keep it to the high standards that everyone expects, they’ve decided to trim the series by a show.
“It means they’ll get to give all the skaters and celebrities a proper semi-final and a grand finale they all deserve.”
The source added: “Other shows have shot during the pandemic, but doing such a big programme in the very height of the crisis, with the uncertainty that it brings has caused untold headaches.
“It’s not something ITV have decided to do lightly but they think it’s the right decision.”
The decision comes just hours after we told how producers had taken the decision not to invite back show favourites Joe-Warren Plant and partner Vanessa Bauer after they withdrew due to coronavirus.
Insiders say Emmerdale actor Joe, 18, and Vanessa, 24, were only in the mix to return because they only missed one week due to their Covid diagnoses
