Fans of Dancing On Ice couldn’t help but voice their concern after former professional boxer Ricky Hatton knocked Stephen Mulhern to the ground.
The 2024 series of the ITV competition began on Sunday evening, with Holly Willoughby making her first appearance on television since quitting This Morning.
She was joined by her new co-host, Stephen, who took over as host of the show when Phillip Schofield stepped down.
S Club 7’s Hannah Spearritt and former Love Island star Amber Davies, as well as boxing icon Ricky and his professional partner Robin Johnstone, made their debuts on the ice.
More almost an hour into the show, Ricky, 45, held out a boxing ring microphone for Stephen, 46, as the announcer explained how viewers could vote for their preferred combinations.
When Holly, 42, finished speaking to the camera, she responded to Stephen fooling about with the microphone by shouting, ‘Just smack him, please Ricky.’
Ricky didn’t need to be told twice, as he landed a vicious left hook on Stephen’s arm, knocking him to the ground.
Holly appeared stunned, even though the punch was likely part of a premeditated performance… Some onlookers suspected that the fighter punched harder than intended.
‘That looked like a real punch!’ Dancing On Ice fan Kaylie wrote on X, while Ashleigh added: ‘100% that punch was meant to happen just not that hard. I’m creasing .’
Ali also guessed the same, saying: ‘I think the punch was supposed to be staged but he caught him harder than planned .’
That punch seemed a bit hard #DancingOnIce
— Jordan & Bailey (@TVqueertiques) January 14, 2024
WOW! That was some punch! #DancingOnIce
— Rǝkha (@rekh01) January 14, 2024
What just happened there good punch Ricky #DancingOnIce
— Julie Reed (@julesreed) January 14, 2024
It might still only be January, but Ollie also wrote: ‘Early contender for one of the best TV moments of the year.’
Holly made her long-awaited return to television last night, after leaving This Morning.
Before the show began, she posted a picture on Instagram of her script, writing in her caption: ‘And so it begins… .’
During the event, she avoided discussing her departure from the ITV daytime show, instead urging Dancing On Ice viewers to offer Stephen a ‘huge welcome’ as her co-host.
‘To the greatest show on ice, and let’s hear it for the amazing cast of 2024. Let me just say a huge welcome to Stephen Mulhern,’ she said.
Dancing On Ice returns on Sunday at 8.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Source My Celebrity Life.