Dancing On Ice 'makes HUGE change to format in bid to avoid upsetting competing celebrities'

Dancing On Ice has changed the structure of the show in a huge shake up designed 'to avoid upsetting the celebs'. 

ITV bosses are said to have changed the dance-off as the stars will no longer have to skate a new performance if they find themselves in the bottom  two, according to The Sun. 

Usually,  the celebrities not only had to learn a routine for their weekly performance but would also have to put together a dance for it they found themselves voted into the bottom two.  

Now it is believed that the stars will simply have to just relearn what they performed for the main competition as it is said the duty of care is 'paramount' to ITV bosses.

A source told the publication: 'On Dancing on Ice, in the past all the couples had to prepare a special skate-off dance which would be ready in case they were voted into the bottom two.

'But that meant on top of learning their main routine, any group dances - and sometimes more - the pairs were in most cases having to learn a dance that went to waste.

'Bosses have rethought the plan moving forwards and couples in the bottom two will now be asked to simply repeat the same dance that they performed on the main show.'

MailOnline contacted ITV representatives for a comment.  

The news comes after it was revealed that the show introduced a 24-hour hotline for stars to raise any concerns, following the Strictly Come Dancing bullying scandal.

The ITV show is set to return to screens in 2025, and sources have now revealed new measures that been introduced in a bid to prevent any bullying or abuse.

According to The Sun, ITV bosses have sent the celebrity lineup a six-page letter telling them they can speak out 'without fear of abuse'.

In a similar vein to the chaperones introduced for this year's Strictly, this year's celebrities will also been assigned a producer to ensure their 'wellbeing.'

A source said: 'ITV puts the welfare of show contestants at the heart of what they do. No one needs another Strictly — and Dancing on Ice bosses want their stars to feel like they can speak out if something isn't right.

'They will have access to a 24-hour hotline manned by professionals to raise concerns about any bullying or to get help with their mental health.

'They have also been given a letter outlining what they should expect from the show and how they should conduct themselves.'

The letter, which was obtained by the publication, reportedly warns stars that taking part in the show could leave them 'physically and mentally drained.'

It also warns stars about conduct with their professional skating partners, adding: 'Winning should never come at the expense of integrity and respect.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Dancing On Ice for comment. 

These measures come after Dancing On Ice's BBC rival Strictly's milestone 20th year has been marred by scandal - after actress Amanda Abbington unexpectedly quit the show last October before claiming her partner Giovanni Pernice was abusive towards her. He was later cleared of ten of her 16 allegations.

The show was then hit with a fresh wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima was sacked in July for 'kicking' his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.

Earlier this year, former Dancing On Ice contestant Michael Barrymore accused ITV producers of 'abuse'.

The former TV star, 72, lashed out in a blistering post on social media today - prompting a response from ITV, which rubbished his 'unsubstantiated' claims as the broadcaster insisted the welfare of stars on the show was its 'top priority'.

Posting on X, Barrymore wrote: 'I find it bewildering that BBC's #strictly is the only production under fire this week when ITV's Dancing On Ice treated their celebrities and dancers exactly the same - if not worse. Even I witnessed abuse from producers at @ITV and I had a very short stint with them…'

But ITV hit back and insisted its stars were looked after while taking part in the programme.

Reacting to Barrymore's comments, an ITV spokesman told MailOnline: 'We do not recognise these unsubstantiated claims. 

'Michael was unable to participate in the live shows for Dancing on Ice owing to an injury sustained in training. 

'This training takes place in public ice skating rinks, where skating marshalls or rink guards are present, or at the show's filming studio in Bovingdon, under the supervision of the production crew. 

'Additionally, independent skating coaches are often present overseeing training sessions. We have always been very transparent about our welfare processes and are fully committed towards supporting cast and crew on our production. This is always the top priority.'

Speaking to This Morning after leaving the show, Barrymore claimed he 'loved every single second' of his time on Dancing on Ice. 

Wearing a cast on his wrist, he told former presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby - who also hosted the hit ice skating show: 'It was an amazing experience.'

Set to take part on this year's Dancing On Ice are TOWIE star Ferne McCann, The Traitors' Mollie Pearce, Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave, Coronation Street star Sam Aston, EastEnders' Charlie Brooks and comedian Josh Jones.

Joining them are former footballer Anton Ferdinand, Hollyoaks' Chelsee Healey, TOWIE star Dan Edgar, Love Island's Chris Taylor, presenter Michaela Strachan and Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey.