Dancing on Ice returned to our screens for its fifteenth series this week - but seasoned viewers may be watching some of the routines through their fingers.
After all, the ITV series has not been without its gruesome moments over the years, with the daring stunts involved always carrying a considerable degree of risk. This year's series may have only just begun, but contestant Michelle Heaton has already revealed that she was left on crutches after a tumble on the rink left her with painful whiplash, while Siva Kaneswaran sustained a nasty head injury and concussion while training on the ice earlier this month.
Michelle and Siva are far from the first stars to be left battered and bruised by their Dancing on Ice experience, with celebs and even pros over the years suffering everything from slashed scalps to dislocated shoulders, The Mirror reports. Here are some of the most shocking injuries from the series since it began in 2006.
READ MORE: Dancing on Ice's Michelle Heaton ready to take big risk with 'danger' move
Joe Swash kicked in ear with skate
Former EastEnders star Joe Swash had to undergo an emergency operation after being kicked in the ear with an ice skate during the 2020 series, which he went on to win. The actor was forced to wear a huge bandage over his head after the trauma caused him to develop a 'cauliflower ear'.
The I'm A Celeb star admitted that he was still in pain during the final after having an incision made behind his ear to drain the blood following the injury. "When I started this process, the last thing I thought I was going to hurt was my ear," he confessed.
Gemma Collins ends up in wheelchair after fall
TOWIE star Gemma was left needing to use a wheelchair for a week after taking a serious tumble on the ice during a live show in 2019. The GC bravely fought back tears as she listened to the judges' comments before being rushed backstage to see a physio.
Gemma was subsequently deemed unfit for rehearsals the following week as her injuries from the fall left her unable to walk, with her legs bruised and battered from the incident. Fortunately, though, she was ultimately able to return to the ice again with partner Matt Evers.
Jennifer Ellison slices scalp open
Viewers were left cringing after Jennifer sustained a gruesome injury on one of the live shows back in 2012, slicing her scalp open with her skate. The star was applauded for finishing her routine, before paramedics rushed in to tend to the wound as so much blood began to stream from Jennifer's head that her hair turned red.
Head coach at the time Karen Barber said the incident demonstrated 'how dangerous ice-skating is', explaining: "The blades are so sharp. The adrenaline tonight went a little bit further and it was an accident."
Vanilla Ice left unconscious after hitting head
Rapper Vanilla Ice was knocked unconscious for three minutes after slipping on the ice and hitting his head during training for the 2011 series. The scary incident left the star with a cracked eye socket and concussion, and he was taken to hospital with blood streaming down his face.
Admitting that he felt as though he had been "hit by Mike Tyson", Vanilla Ice managed to return to the ice to compete in the remainder of the series despite his frightening experience and nasty injuries.
Brian McFadden's shoulder pops out in rehearsals
Westlife star Brian McFadden was left in agony during the 2019 series after damaging his shoulder before the live shows even begun. While practising with pro partner Alex Murphy, Brian's shoulder popped out during a lift - leaving him worried that he would be unable to compete in the show.
"It's so annoying cause all the work I've put in to get here and I felt so good after the dress rehearsal, I was like, 'yes, I'm ready to go' and then now to possibly not even being able to do the show because of an injury. So annoying. So frustrating," he said at the time. Fortunately, a physio signed him off and he was able to go on all the way to the semi-finals.
Beth Tweddle crashes onto ice during daredevil lift
Olympic gymnast Beth took home the trophy when she competed on Dancing On Ice in 2013, but despite her skating prowess she suffered a nasty fall during her time in rehearsals. Beth was attempting a very difficult move known as the Whirlybird with pro partner Daniel Whiston when the pair lost their grip on one another.
The star ended up crashing onto the ice, with professionals Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean immediately rushing over to check on her. Remarkably, Beth only said that she felt a little dizzy after the horror fall and got straight back onto the ice.
Matt Evers needs stitches after face slash
Even the professional skaters aren't safe from gruesome injuries - pro Matt Evers had his face sliced open during a neck spin with celeb partner Jorgie Porter. The freak accident saw Jorgie's skate slash Matt's forehead as she wrapped her legs around his neck for a daredevil move during the dress rehearsal.
Matt ended up in hospital to be stitched up after being left with a long cut down his face. But the pro was not deterred by the incident, and was soon back on the ice for the live performance.
Yebin Mok stabbed in leg with skate
Another pro Yebin Mok suffered one of the most serious injuries ever seen on the show during rehearsals for last year's series, which forced her to pull out of the 2022 show before it had even begun. The accident saw Yebin stabbed in the leg by celeb partner Graham Bell's ice skate.
Host Phillip Schofield said at the time that the resulting wound was so deep that you could "see the tendons". Graham ended up having to skate with a new partner in her absence - luckily, Yebin was stitched up and there was no nerve or tendon damage from the gruesome injury.
Pam O'Connor dropped by David Seaman during terrifying headbanger move
The notorious headbanger move - in which a skater swings their partner around by the feet just inches away from the ice - has been the cause of many a head injury on the show, including back in 2006 where Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman made a mistake during the manoeuvre. During rehearsals., David attempted to swing pro partner Pam O'Connor around when he lost his grip and she crashed face-first onto the ice.
Pam split open her chin and ended up in hospital to get it stitched up, before returning to continue rehearsals. It wouldn't be the last time the pro skater would sustain a gruesome injury that year, though, as another fall left her with a dislocated shoulder.
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