DOI’s Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are ‘sad’ after the show is put on hold for a week

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean confirmed they are ‘sad’ that Dancing On Ice has been put on hold this week to allow cast and crew to ‘recharge and rest up’ after four stars dropped out and Jason Donovan, 52, injured his back. 

The Olympic figure skaters appeared on Good Morning Britain on Friday to discuss the string of early departures and injuries on the show, prompting viewers to call the 2021 edition ‘cursed.’ 

They also provided an update on Jason’s recovery, confirming ‘he’s getting back to fitness’ as he is ‘passionate to get back’ on the ice.   

Honest: Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean confirmed they are ‘sad’ that Dancing On Ice is on hold this week to allow cast to ‘rest up’ after four stars dropped out and Jason Donovan injured his back

Jayne, 63, said: ‘We were all sad because everyone has worked so hard trying to put the show on in the first place and every week there was something happening.

‘On the positive side all of our celebrities will have an extra week to work on their routines so I’m looking forward to seeing some great routines when they come back.’ 

Jason was forced to pull out of last Sunday’s Dancing On Ice show, he is currently undergoing electric physio treatment to accelerate his recovery.

Chris, 62, updated GMB on Jason’s healing: ‘He’s resting up and he’s getting back to fitness and all being well, we’ll see him next week. 

Shock: The figure skaters appeared on Good Morning Britain on Friday to discuss the string of early departures and injuries on the show, prompting viewers to call the 2021 edition 'cursed'

Shock: The figure skaters appeared on Good Morning Britain on Friday to discuss the string of early departures and injuries on the show, prompting viewers to call the 2021 edition ‘cursed’

‘He’s loving the show, he’s loving what he’s doing and he’s passionate to get back. So we’re looking forward to seeing them soon.’

Torvill and Dean’s appearance comes after four contestants announced their departure from the skating show. 

Emmerdale’s Joe-Warren Plant and his partner Vanessa Bauer were forced to withdraw after they both tested positive for COVID-19.

Denise Van Outen exited the show after injuring her shoulder in three places and dislocating it.

Reflective: Jayne, 63, said: 'We were all sad because everyone has worked so hard trying to put the show on in the first place and every week something was happening'

Reflective: Jayne, 63, said: ‘We were all sad because everyone has worked so hard trying to put the show on in the first place and every week something was happening’

Billie Faiers was forced to quit the competition after hitting her head and suffering from a concussion, while Rufus Hound announced his shock exit after testing positive for coronavirus. 

A source recently revealed that Dancing On Ice is now hanging on by a thread as production will struggle to fill the two-hour ITV episode slot and could be ‘forced off air’. 

When asked if there are more injuries that have hindered Dancing On Ice production this year in comparison to previous seasons, Chris claimed it wasn’t the case. 

He said: ‘I don’t think it’s any more than normal, it’s just maybe been reported on a little bit more. 

‘Saying that, we have a great team looking after everyone and getting them back to fitness.’

Ouch! Jason, 52, was forced to pull out of last Sunday's Dancing On Ice, after injuring his back during training (pictured last week)

Ouch! Jason, 52, was forced to pull out of last Sunday’s Dancing On Ice, after injuring his back during training (pictured last week)

Upset: Emmerdale's Joe-Warren Plant (pictured) and his partner Vanessa Bauer were forced to withdraw after they tested positive for COVID-19 in addition to Rufus Hound who quit after testing positive

Upset: Emmerdale’s Joe-Warren Plant (pictured) and his partner Vanessa Bauer were forced to withdraw after they tested positive for COVID-19 in addition to Rufus Hound who quit after testing positive

Jayne added: ‘We have a saying, “if you’re not falling, you’re not trying.” 

‘But in that respect we don’t want people to push themselves too far that they get injured, so we say it with caution.

‘We always have injuries. We always say to our reserves, don’t think you won’t be on the show. Every year we use our reserves, and this year we used both.’

The former Olympic champions were questioned when will be their last dance before hanging up their ice skating shoes for good. 

Chris concluded: ‘What we’re doing is appreciate every chance we get to perform because we’re in our twilight and approaching that time when it will be the last time to perform. So, we’re just enjoying what we do when we can do it.’

Oh dear: Denise Van Outen (pictured with Matt Evers last month) was forced to drop out too, after she dislocated her shoulder and Billie Faiers was forced to quit after hitting her head

Oh dear: Denise Van Outen (pictured with Matt Evers last month) was forced to drop out too, after she dislocated her shoulder and Billie Faiers was forced to quit after hitting her head

Future: When asked when will be there last dance, Chris, 62, said: 'We're in our twilight and approaching that time when it will be the last time to perform'

Future: When asked when will be there last dance, Chris, 62, said: ‘We’re in our twilight and approaching that time when it will be the last time to perform’