Phillip Schofield caused panic to spread through the Dancing on Ice contestants on Sunday night, when he dropped an elimination bombshell on the remaining couples.
Sunday night saw the skating stars in the new series rise to the challenge in Prop Week, with the pairs skating with everything from a massive bed to a shopping trolley, with Coronation Street star Mollie Gallagher suffering a nasty fall when she dropped from the trolley onto the rink below during rehearsals.
After all of the couples in the Dancing on Ice quarter final had performed, with gymnast Nile Wilson top of the leaderboard after a series high score, Phillip broke some startling news to the contestants, telling them for the first time that there would be a double elimination in next week's semi, leaving just three couples to battle it out in the grand finale a week later.
READ MORE: Why is Vera not on? ITV viewers left saying the same thing as drama replaced
And, just as they were digesting that announcement, Phillip then added another shock to the system, by also informing the stars that, if they made it through to next weekend, they would need to come up with two new routines, including a solo skate.
News of the double elimination got a mioxed reaction from viewers online. One quipped: "What's the point ending the series a week earlier by a double elimination? Are they on a budget? Or saving money on energy bills?" A second tweeted: "A double elimination for the Semi Final next week. The pressure is on!!. That means we'll have 3 Finalists"
Others felt that Phillip's so-called 'bombshell' was anything but. Suggesting it was something of an anti-climax, a third viewer responded: "They always have double elimination in the semi-final when the entire cast has managed to stay without withdrawing. There are less celebs this year, hence the series ending early."
READ NEXT:
*Win a personalised Love Island merchandise bundle as new series final nears
*Ant and Dec issue Wembley 'battle cry' to Newcastle as Takeaway ends
*Loris Karius' girlfriend Diletta Leotta wowed by Trafalgar Square scenes before 'tough' Wembley job
