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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Sara-Aisha Kent

Dancing on Ice star Sean Rice's final photo as his death remains a mystery

The professional ice skating community are mourning the loss of Sean Rice after he died last week.

Sean, who starred on Dancing on Ice in 2011 and 2012, was just 49 when he passed away on January 14.

In his final picture, Sean flashes a smile alongside his family - just weeks before his death.

In the snapshot, shared on his wife's Facebook page, Sean is beaming as he poses alongside the love of his life, Jodeyne Higgins, and their daughter Signey, eight.

The trio hug in the photo as they stand in front of a row of Christmas trees illuminated in bright lights during the festive period.

Jodeyne - who also used to be a professional figure skater - uploaded the photo on December 25 as a way to share Christmas wishes with her social media friends.

She added a frame to the capture, as well as a motif reading: "Peace joy love, Jodeyne, Signey, Sean."

Sean Rice passed away on January 14 (Matt Frost/REX/Shutterstock)

On Sunday, news broke that Sean - whose cause of death has not been revealed - had died after Frankie Poultney, who was a close friend of Sean, shared the sad news on Twitter.

Frankie wrote: "Pro skaters are heartbroken today, we lost a true larger than life great - an epic skater, a husband, father, and my friend of 20 years.

"Sean Rice, 20/07/72 - 14/01/22 gone too soon, but we will Love You For A Thousand Years. All of our thoughts are with Signey and Jodeyne."

The Dancing on Ice star can be seen smiling in the final snap he posed for before his death (Facebook)

A spokesperson for Dancing on Ice said: "We are all deeply saddened to hear this news. Sean was a wonderful skater and friend to many on the Dancing on Ice team. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time."

In the two years that Sean was a pro skater on the ITV show, Sean danced with former newsreader Angela Rippon in 2011 and then a year later with Alpine ski racer, Chemmy Alcott.

Chemmy paid tribute to Sean with a sweet message on Twitter: "Have just heard the tragic news that Sean Rice, my partner from DOI, has passed away.

"The world will miss your amazing energy and your healing hands. All my love to J and S."

Sean skated with Angela Rippon in 2011 (PA)
Sean was paired with Chemmy Alcott on the 2012 series of Dancing on Ice (PA)

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Following Sean's death, a GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for Jodeyne and Signey.

The bio on the page reads: "In Memory of Sean Rice.

"The world has lost a great man - a coach, son, friend, husband and poppa bear. It’s with immense sadness to say that Sean Rice has passed away.

"Sean was a passionate, larger than life man who would stop and give to anyone who needed him. It’s with that same spirit, we are reaching out to everyone to pour prayers and love over Jodeyne and Signey during this very difficult time.

"So many people have reached out asking how they can help and so we have set up this go fund account to support Jodeyne and Signey at this time. Let’s take care of them the same way Sean always took care of others."

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