Dancing On Ice 2021 kicks off with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby amid Covid-19 pandemic

Dancing On Ice returned to screens with an motion packed launch present on Sunday night time, with six of the twelve hopeful movie star contestants set to showcase their abilities on the rink. 

And Denise Van Outen bravely managed to push by means of the ache to carry out her first routine with professional companion Matt Evers after dislocating her shoulder on Thursday.

The West Finish star, 46, managed to maintain a smile on her face as she accomplished the choreography, which had been reworked after her damage, nonetheless exclaimed ‘oh my arm’ as she got here to a cease and confronted the judges.

Talking about how she was feeling, Denise advised hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: ‘It’s actually sore, however due to the adrenaline it’s alright. I’m extra involved I haven’t shaved my armpits for 4 days!’

Getting fun out of everybody, the star managed to smile earlier than the studio was full of ‘boos’ from the opposite professionals and celebs who had been watching when Denise and Matt got low scores and a paltry complete of 19.5. 

Christopher Dean, who was appearing as head choose, advised the star: ‘I do know your higher half is working simply have to work on the skating now’

Whereas John Barrowman advised Denise he might ‘see the nerves, ache and tentativeness’ and added you will need to ‘bend the knees, I am unable to wait to see what you are like with out an damage’

Ashley additionally advised Denise that he had ‘a lot respect, the ice is not any joke’, earlier than including that it was ‘fascinating to see the distinction’ of her standing on the stage in the beginning the place she seemed ‘so at house’.  

Hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield opened the present, with the glamorous duo joking that it was ‘good to dress up’ and be out of ‘elasticated waists’ after months of staying at house amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

The This Morning host even displayed golden ticket specifically positioned inside a plastic pockets to make it ‘sanitised for Phillip’ to make sure all the foundations had been adopted. 

Jason Donovan kicked off the night with a suave routine alongside professional companion Alexandra, who has been on the present for seven sequence and even received the present two years in the past. 

The performer appeared assured as he accomplished his routine – even doing the Swan and Rotating Stag strikes – and scoring 25 out of 40 to make a not so shabby first rating of the season.

Talking after the routine to Micheal Buble’s model of Moondance, Jason mentioned: ‘It is powerful popping out first, nevertheless it’s such a terrific present and look what we’re doing on this very onerous time.. we’re giving individuals hope.’

Whereas Alex additionally appeared happy with their efforts, telling the panel: ‘To be dancing with Jason Donovan, it is a childhood dream come true!’

Chris, who was appearing as head choose on Sunday, praised Jason for his spectacular first skate telling him he has ‘plenty of type, however a bit of extra substance’ can be good for subsequent time.

Ashley Banjo additionally agreed, telling Jason his ‘showmanship’ was eye-catching and will make him a critical contender for the entire present whereas Jayne Torvill added: ‘Micheal Buble on ice, what can I say!’  

Elsewhere within the present, Joe-Warren Plant had an fascinating begin to his time within the competitors after falling on the ice.

Though decking it, the Emmerdale actor managed to get again up with a smile on his face and proceed the routine alongside professional companion Vanessa Bauer.

Nonetheless this did hit him within the scores, with Ashley declaring he takes ‘a whole level off’ if there’s a fall within the routine.

Chris added; ‘You gave a efficiency, despite the fact that there was a fall, there’s intricacy within the footwork and also you seemed comfy on the ice’.

Girl Lashurrr additionally ensured to showcase her abilities as she wowed the judges with a excessive power efficiency and even rapped in the beginning.

She accomplished a cartwheel, shoulder sit and launch break up raise throughout the fast-paced routine, managing to do all of it after injuring her knee in rehearsals.

To not be forgotten, Girl Lashurr’s companion Brendon even carried out a small rap on the finish to finish their time on the rink after getting scores.

Rufus Hound carried out a gaming-inspired routine after his debut efficiency was moved forwards following professional Yebin Mok and Graham Bell’s accident in rehearsals on Monday.

The comic managed to nab a 23.5 factors out of 40, with Ashley Banjo declaring that the routine might have been ‘his favorite’ of the night time after being impressed by the theme.

Jayne was additionally ‘so impressed’ with the skating and Rufus’ efficiency nonetheless she needed to mark him decrease – with a 5.5 – as she was trying on the strikes.

Chris joked that the star was an ‘unlikely’ dancer however surprisingly was nice on the ice.

The professional skaters opened the present was a unbelievable and vibrant routine with every duo donning a unique colored costume to create a cool rainbow throughout the ice. 

Nonetheless choose John Barrowman tried his greatest to match their glowing entrance in his personal multi-coloured sequin blazer, shaking his stuff as he stepped onto the ice for the primary time this yr.

In the meantime, host Holly Willoughby seemed radiant as ever as she donned her first outfit for this yr’s sequence.

The TV presenter, 39, was again in motion for the brand new season of the ITV present and donned a pink sheer sleeveless gown for her first night time of internet hosting.

The mother-of-three minimize a glamorous determine within the determine hugging garment which featured a sequinned element and a feathered neckline.

The This Morning star shared a surprising snap of herself to Instagram simply earlier than she took to the stage alongside co-host Phillip and advised of her delight on the present returning to screens amid the continuing coronavirus lockdown.

She wrote: ‘Nicely its again… @dancingonice on @itv at 6pm… it’s unbelievable that the sensible crew, crew and celebs have made this occurred… it’s not been straightforward and I really feel so proud. Gosh it feels good to place a sequin on!’

Stars additionally trying to impress with their new-found skating talents embrace Rebekah Vardy, Myleene Klass, Billie Faiers, Sonny Jay and Jason Donovan.

The present has managed to return regardless of the UK being in its third nationwide lockdown, nonetheless just a few modifications had been made to make sure the crew and forged remained protected.

Perspex dividers had been positioned between the judges and no reside viewers had been capable of cheer the skaters on as they confirmed off their abilities at  Bovingdon Airfield in Hertfordshire.   

Opponents have additionally needed to create ‘bubbles’ with their professional companions and guarantee social distancing from different {couples} collaborating within the present. 

It comes after Denise dislocated her shoulder throughout rehearsals for the large launch night time, with the painful second captured on digital camera.  

And the actress, 46, took fairly the tumble within the painful-looking second, as she’s seen falling on her facet on the onerous rink. Skating alongside professional companion Matt Evers, Denise is seen shedding her footing and falling ahead.

Matt goes to seize her, however she slips from his grasp and tumbles onto the ice. Whereas in one other shot, just a few moments later, she is seen being tended to by a medic, rink-side. 

Denise thanked her followers for his or her assist after she was rushed to hospital on Thursday following the shock fall.

She took to Instagram on Sunday morning to share candid pictures from a medical centre after partially dislocate her shoulder, and sources say she is going to nonetheless make her debut on the present later within the day. 

Media persona Denise additionally expressed her gratitude in the direction of ITV and her skilled companion Matt for ‘caring for me once I really feel like crying’. 

The TV star wrote: ‘Thanks for all of your beautiful messages this morning. Instructed you I am clumsy on the ice!. 

‘Huge due to everybody @itv. (Medics & manufacturing) and our wonderful @nhswebsite for taking care of me as a result of I understand how overstretched you might be for the time being. 

‘Additionally thanks to @themattevers for being a real good friend and caring for me and making me snigger once I really feel like crying ❤️ . @dancingonice @itv #dancingonice.’ (sic) 

In keeping with The Solar, Denise will carry out regardless of her damage, with an insider claiming: ‘Denise had an enormous scare, however she’s decided to not let a dislocated shoulder cease her from acting on the launch present. 

‘She’s had big assist from her skating companion Matt Evers. He will be readily available to verify tonight goes to plan, regardless of the troublesome circumstances.’

In a single photograph, the mother-of-one seems to be inhaling air by means of a tool, whereas one other image noticed her flashing a thumbs down signal as she held an ice pack as much as her brow. 

American pair skater Matt, 44, additionally posted his properly needs for his pal on social media, branding her ‘probably the most improved star’ he is labored with within the competitors’s historical past.  

The sportsman, who has served as a dancer on the sequence since its inception in 2006, mentioned: ‘You’ve got come a great distance child! 

‘Tonight @vanouten_denise is the night time! Out of my 13 @dancingonice celebs over time you get probably the most improved star. Proof that by means of onerous work and dedication you may make a change and even study to skate.’ (sic) 

TOWIE narrator Denise initially revealed the information to The Solar, stating: ‘I’ve taken just a few tumbles since we began coaching however with this one I knew instantly it wasn’t good.’

Following the evaluation on the studio rink at Bovingdon Airfield, Hertfordshire, she was taken to A&E the place she had an emergency X-Ray accomplished.

The process revealed she had partially dislocated her left shoulder and broken her tendons, whereas she was additionally badly bruised.

In keeping with the publication, Denise was suggested to relaxation with a purpose to recuperate and assist enhance her possibilities of making her debut. 

Denise claimed she could not transfer her shoulder a lot following the damage and felt it was ‘contact and go’ whether or not she might skate earlier than Sunday, although she mentioned she is having ongoing physio.  

She added that she and Matt have modified their routine in order that she does not put an excessive amount of pressure on her shoulder, if she is going to be capable to skate. 

Slightly than rush her restoration, Denise defined that she and Matt are taking issues ‘hour by hour’ and can decide earlier than the present airs. 

Following the information, Denise shared a put up from Girl Leshurr who wished her a speedy restoration as she shared an image of them posing in a socially distanced snap. 

Regardless of being a West Finish star, with skilled dance coaching and prior expertise competing in a reside TV present following her look on Strictly Come Dancing, Denise admitted on Thursday that she’s nonetheless ‘petrified’ of doing Dancing On Ice. 

She defined: ‘You wouldn’t imagine it – I’d fall over from standing speaking however you do get used to it. I’m much less bruised now, which is sweet. I’m much less prone to fall than I used to be three months in the past.

‘I’ve all the time been frightened of being on the ice and having an damage and falling. I’ve fallen over in most of my classes. I used to be so nervous once I was first on the ice that my complete physique would tense after which I’d maintain falling over.

‘I’m making an attempt to remain relaxed and never take into consideration accidents a lot as a result of you possibly can by no means predict what you are going to occur once you’re on ice.

‘I hope I can get by means of the competitors and never be taken over by damage. It’s scary.’ 

Dancing On Ice professional Yebin Mok was additionally injured forward of the present’s launch after celeb Graham Bell ‘lacerated her leg’ throughout coaching on Monday.

She was taken to hospital for therapy and is now out of motion for a ‘couple of weeks’ whereas resting and getting physio for her damage. Taking to Instagram after the accident, Yebin mentioned she was ‘completely gutted’. 

Stars trying to impress with their new-found skating talents embrace Rebekah Vardy, Myleene Klass, Billie Faiers, Sonny Jay and Jason Donovan. 

ITV reassured followers on earlier this month that the present might be again as deliberate regardless of the UK being plunged into a 3rd lockdown, nonetheless just a few new precautions might be in place together with perspex dividers between the judges and no viewers.

The information got here amid claims the celebs and their skilled skating companions had been involved about coronavirus hitting the present and it being cancelled. 

The judging panel might be sat far aside, protecting consistent with social distancing measures, and perspex panels might be positioned between them.

For the primary time in its historical past the studio at Bovingdon Airfield in Hertfordshire could have no viewers, a transfer mirroring that of Strictly Come Dancing.

The skating celebrities will even watch one another carry out from socially-distanced tables to maintain everybody protected from COVID-19.