The "greatest show on ice" is back and viewers were eagerly awaiting their first look at the 2022 stars on the ice.
Dancing On Ice returned to screens on Sunday night as six of the 12 celebrities took to the ice for their first performance.
Coronation Street's Sally Dynevor, Happy Mondays' Bez, former Strictly Come Dancing pro Brendan Cole, ITV Lorraine's showbiz reporter Ria Hebden, Pussycat Doll Kimberley Wyatt, and Olympian Kye Whyte all made their debut's with the ice skating partners last night.
They performed in front of a live audience for the first time in two years and Dancing On Ice's line-up of expert judges - Olympic ice dancing champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, Diversity's Ashley Banjo, and Strictly professional dancer Oti Mabuse, who is the newest addition to the panel.
READ MORE: Manchester's highest-rated restaurant hits back after moaning customer charged £60 for no-show
Brendan was the first celebrity to take to the ice, scoring 30.5 with the "best first dance" the series has seen with skating partner Vanessa Bauer.
He was joined at the top of the leaderboard by Kimberley who scored 30 in her first routine on Dancing On Ice, performing to Pink’s What About Us with partner Mark Hanretty.
While Bez, who is partnered with reigning skating champion Angela Egan, put on a show as he descended into the rink on a pair of giant maracas before performing with dancing watermelons.
He scored 12.5 for his performance, putting him at the bottom of the leaderboard.
But it was Ria, 39, who has found herself in the dreaded skate-off.
She performed to Harry Styles’ Treat People With Kindness with skater Lukasz Rozycki, scoring 24.5.
Oti told the TV presenter that she had an "infectious energy" while Jayne added: "I love that you smiled the whole way through, you gave a great performance."
Ria said she was "gutted" by the news she will have to perform in the skate-off on Sunday with her opponent set to be decided when the next six couples perform.
But the announced has left many Dancing On Ice fans reeling about the stars' 'popularity'.
"Bit harsh on Ria as she was definitely better than some but most of the votes come down to popularity! #DancingOnIce," @Daniella_Hatton tweeted.
@dollynoocat said: "I know Bez was funny but come on he was hopeless. It's not a popularity contest it's a skating show. He should be in the skate off #DancingOnIce."
"Yet again it is down to each celebrity and their popularity @dancingonice - Think the wrong couple are in the skate off. #DancingOnIce," @Oddgnome105 wrote.
@joyceJo49834475 shared: "#dancingonice No idea how @riahebden & @IceLukasz ended in skate off next week, totally wrong."
And others have made an observation.
@Joe271101 said: "3rd year in a row that Lukasz is in the Week 1 skate off - I hope he & Ria make it through next week. #DancingOnIce."
"Damn brits are sick for doing this to Lukasz AGAIN. Let the poor man get past the first elimination for goodness sake. Also Ria placing 3rd and still being in the skate off can y’all just admit you’re racist and go #DancingOnIce #DOI," @ThomDWTS tweeted.
@dowdensmushtuk wrote: "Please don’t let Lukasz go out week one yet again, bless his little heart #dancingonice."
"Lukasz going out first AGAIN!!? #DancingOnIce," @HausofDylan95 added.
Last year, Lukasz was partnered with Myleene Klass and they were the first couple to be eliminated, making the skater the first professional on the show to be eliminated first twice in a row after partnering Trisha Goddard in 2020.
For all the latest news and gossip, click here to sign up to our newsletter
