Dancing on Ice’s format shake-up is a step in the right direction
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Dancing on Ice is in a bit of a rut at the moment. Viewing figures are falling, and the format that worked wonders in years gone by is beginning to feel a bit stale.
But when the show introduced a new face to the judging panel in Sunday night’s episode (February 11), it felt like an exciting change.
Regular judge Ashley Banjo is off on tour with his dance troupe Diversity, and while he is away, he has been replaced by a guest judge – former Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir. While he isn’t a very well-known face in the UK, especially outside of the skating world, he managed to make a great first impression on viewers.
This was Weir’s first appearance on the show but he settled in quickly, and it soon felt like he had been in the role for years.
As a TV personality he was funny and charismatic, and as a judge he was knowledgeable and insightful, giving specific and constructive criticism to the contestants. His marking was often harsher than the other judges, yet his feedback was always kind and positive.
Weir had clearly done his homework and had been watching the series until this point as he spoke confidently about the progress each of the celebrities had made so far.
He even remarked to frontrunner Amber Davies that it had been a while since a woman had won Dancing on Ice. It’s an excellent point – the last female winner was gymnast Beth Tweddle, way back in 2013.
If people weren’t already convinced by Weir, he also delivered an incredible skating routine himself in his first ever UK performance, which will have no doubt have earned him a legion of new fans.
The skater’s debut on the show was a huge success, with viewers already calling on him to become a permanent judge. He was a breath of fresh air, which is exactly what the show needed.
This isn’t necessarily a criticism of the existing judges. Banjo has always brought great energy and enthusiasm to the panel, and both he and former Strictly pro Oti Mabuse offer valuable insight on choreography and performance.
But since the show returned in 2018 after a four-year hiatus, only one seat on the panel has changed, with Banjo appearing on the last seven series alongside Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
The judges’ dynamic has become too predictable; it feels like we know what everyone is going to say before they say it and the panel often all agree with one another.
When you hear from the same voices for so long, it begins to feel like the show is going through the motions – which is why many are falling out of love with a show that was once such a hit.
Therefore it was a treat to have an expert like Weir who was excited to offer new opinions on both the celebrities’ technical skating and performance ability.
His stint as a judge was also a throwback to when the show used to have former ice skaters on the panel, such as Robin Cousins, Nicky Slater and Karen Barber (who is now the show’s head coach), and a reminder of the expertise that is perhaps missing from the current line-up.
Of course, Torvill and Dean clearly know what they’re talking about when it comes to skating, but as judges their comments often fall a bit flat.
Dancing on Ice feels like their show, and the duo were intrinsic to its early success. But in these early years they used to be mentors and choreographers to the celebrities, and they perhaps felt more at home in this role than on the judging panel.
Maybe it's time to introduce some fresh faces to the show, who bring with them new insights and new energy.
With Banjo absent until the semi final, Weir will be back on the panel on the next episode, and it remains to be seen if he will play a role in future series.
But the success of the judging shake-up, even if only temporary, has highlighted a much broader point: the show would benefit from a major revamp to breathe new life into what has become a tired format.
At the start of the episode, Weir said that "to be on a programme that has celebrated the sport that I’ve given my life to is such an honour". Dancing on Ice could do with spending more time doing just this, using their platform to celebrate the world of skating.
Weir’s own performance went down a treat online, with viewers in awe of the skill on display. The show could capitalise on this success and invite more international skaters to perform, immersing the audience further in the sport that their favourite celebrities are trying out.
Last week marked a step in the right direction for Dancing on Ice, but more permanent changes need to be made – and fast.
Dancing on Ice airs on Sundays on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
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