Dancing On Ice producers are powering through with plans for the 2021 series, reportedly with a mega budget lining the show’s coffers.
Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it seems ITV aren’t worried about production going ahead come January next year, and they have their sights set on a slew of big stars to take to the rink.
A source told The Sun: ‘It’s full steam ahead for next year’s show and casting is already well underway. The professional skaters will be meeting potential celebrity partners on the ice next month to see how they pair up.
Big bucks! Dancing On Ice producers are powering through with plans for the 2021 series, reportedly with a mega budget lining the show’s coffers
As planned: Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it seems ITV aren’t worried about production going ahead come January next year, and they have their sights set on a slew of big stars to take to the rink
‘It takes some time to get the celebs up to speed so they’ll spend a lot of time on the ice to make sure they’re definitely keen to go ahead. It’s only after this that they’ll be confirmed. All training will be done safely and with the teams abiding by social distancing rules.
‘ITV have taken a hit like all the broadcasters so they’re pumping cash into the show in a bid to make it a real ratings winner again. The budget for talent has been inflated so they can splash out on a couple of really big names.’
The news directly contradicts The Sun’s previous reports that producers are working on plans in case the show is cancelled after all.
A source told The Sun: ‘It’s full steam ahead for next year’s show and casting is already well underway. The professional skaters will be meeting potential celebrity partners on the ice next month to see how they pair up’
They added: ‘It takes some time to get the celebs up to speed so they’ll spend a lot of time on the ice to make sure they’re definitely keen to go ahead. It’s only after this that they’ll be confirmed. All training will be done safely and with the teams abiding by social distancing rules’
The publication reported that a special programme to ‘fill the gap’ is being planned in case the global health crisis continues on into next year.
There is cause for concern following the news that Love Island will not go ahead this summer as well as rumours circulating Strictly Come Dancing’s status.
Hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are on board with Dancing On Ice’s special edition, according to the report.
It is said to feature ‘lockdown episodes’ filmed by some favourite celebs over the years.
They went on: ‘ITV have taken a hit like all the broadcasters so they’re pumping cash into the show in a bid to make it a real ratings winner again. The budget for talent has been inflated so they can splash out on a couple of really big names’
Contradiction: The news directly contradicts The Sun’s previous reports that producers are working on plans in case the show is cancelled after all
A source told the publication: ‘Obviously no-one knows when lockdown measures and social distancing will be fully eased – but DOI has become a fixture in the winter TV schedules.
‘It’s be a hammer blow for ITV to lose it. As such, they’ve filmed some lockdown episodes – working title: Dancing On Ice Specials – to fill that gap, should the live programmes become untenable.’
The source also revealed judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will be part of the series looking back at their time on the show with never seen before footage.
A source told The Sun: ‘Obviously no-one knows when lockdown measures and social distancing will be fully eased – but DOI has become a fixture in the winter TV schedules’ (Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean pictured)
The source continued: ‘The hope is that these can be screened on ITV2 as a spin-off if the main series is able to go ahead – but execs don’t want to take any chances.’
It comes after ITV bosses announced Love Island would not be returning for a summer series this year.
Kevin Lygo, Director of Television at ITV, said on Monday: ‘We have tried every which way to make Love Island this summer but logistically it’s just not possible to produce it in a way that safeguards the wellbeing of everyone involved and that for us is the priority.
The continued: ‘It’s be a hammer blow for ITV to lose it. As such, they’ve filmed some lockdown episodes – working title: Dancing On Ice Specials – to fill that gap, should the live programmes become untenable’ they added (Dancing On Ice cast pictured in 2019)
Series: The source also revealed judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will be part of the series looking back at their time on the show with never seen before footage (hosts Holly and Phil pictured)
‘In normal circumstances we would be preparing very soon to travel out to the location in Mallorca to get the villa ready but clearly that’s now out of the question.
‘We are very sorry for fans of the show but making it safely is our prime concern and Love Island will be back stronger than ever in 2021. In the meantime Love Island fans can still enjoy all six series of Love Island on BritBox.’
As of yet no news has been confirmed on whether Strictly Come Dancing will return however there are concerns over how the show will work with social distancing measures and restrictions on audiences.
Cancelled: It comes after ITV bosses announced Love Island would not be returning for a summer series this year (host Laura Whitmore pictured)