Dancing on Ice fans upset as two pros announce they're leaving ITV show

Dancing On Ice is set to return in just a few months and ahead of the launch next year two pro skaters have announced that it will be their last series on the ITV skating contest

Two pros from Dancing On Ice (DOI) have just announced that they will not be returning after the next series.

Rehearsals for the upcoming series of the ITV show, which is set to launch in January next year, are now underway. The celebrity contestants have been announced and the line-up of professional ice skaters has also been unveiled.

There are set to be a host of returning pros, as well as some new faces, when the contestants take to the ice for the first time in the launch episode. This week, two pros however have revealed that it will be their last series on DOI though.

It's now been announced that it will be the final series for returning pros Mark Hanretty, 39, and Brendyn Hatfield, 38. They shared the news with fans of the long-running skating contest on their respective Instagram pages on Tuesday.

Alongside a photo of himself at ITV Studios, Mark - who has been on the show since 2011 - wrote: "I'm back! Hard to believe I'm embarking on my 12th series of [DOI]. I'm as excited as ever and so grateful for the chance to work on the greatest show on ice once again." He added in the caption of the post: "This will be my last year as a pro skater and I'm eager to soak up every second of it. Good luck to all the team and here's to a fantastic series."

The news prompted disappointment among some fans, with one responding: "I'm sad it's your last series." Another wrote in the comments section: "We'll miss you." Whilst a third wrote in their reply: "Don't do this to us Mark."

Whilst his co-star Brendyn - who joined the show in 2020 - shared the news of his departure in his own page. He wrote alongside a photo of himself: "Here we go! Excited to be back for my 6th and final season of [DOI]. Let's make this one the best one!"

His post was similarly met with some disappointment from fans. One person commented: "Glad to hear you're back but sad to hear it's your last." Another said: "Will miss seeing you on our screens." A third wrote: "Gutted it's your final series."

Mark made his first appearance on DOI in the sixth series, which was broadcast in 2011. He's since reached the final with athlete Libby Clegg, singer Kimberly Wyatt and radio host Adele Roberts - placing third on each occasion.

Brendyn made his debut on the twelfth series of the show, which aired in 2020. He placed fourth with rapper Lady Leshurr the following year and his other skating partners have included Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu. He was notably partnered with S Club member Rachel Stevens, whom he's now in a relationship with, on the show back in 2022.

The pairings for the new series of DOI have yet to be unveiled, with them expected to be announced by ITV closer to the launch. The line-up of contestants include reality TV star Ferne McCann, Coronation Street's Sam Aston, former footballer Anton Ferdinand and presenter Michaela Strachan.

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