Dancing on Ice confirms 2020 series launch date

Dancing on Ice has finally confirmed the premiere date for its 2020 series – and it's arriving at just the right time to provide the perfect cure for the post-Christmas/New Year blues.

Yep, when the last of the Christmas chocolates has gone and you're just about recovered from your New Year's Eve hangover, ITV will be on hand to cheer you up with a new series of Dancing on Ice when it launches on Sunday, January 5.

It follows the show's upcoming Christmas special, which will see this year's line-up of ice-skating celebrities take to the rink for the first time and find out which professional they'll be paired up with.

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This year's series will feature the likes of Love Island's Maura Higgins, Diversity dancer Perri Kiely, former King of the Jungle Joe Swash and supermodel and actress Caprice Bourret, among many others.

We'll also be seeing our first same-sex pairing on the show as Ian Watkins – H from Steps – will be dancing professional skater Matt Evers.

Meanwhile, also stepping into a new role on the series is another former I'm a Celeb star John Barrowman, who'll be taking over from Jason Gardiner and joining the ice panel as a judge alongside Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean and Ashley Banjo.

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Speaking about what kind of judge he'll be, Barrowman told Digital Spy earlier this month that he plans on being honest, fair and definitely won't be pulling any punches in his criticism.

"I can't really tell you what kind of judge I will be yet on Dancing on Ice, because I haven't really done it yet," he said.

"I think I'll be a fair judge, I think I'll be an honest judge, I think I will be critical, and I'm really looking forward to being entertained. If they don't entertain me, I'm sure going to tell them!"

Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield, Dancing on Ice

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Before we get to see any of that though, there'll first be the Christmas special. As well as seeing the new crop of celebs skate for the first time, viewers will also be treated to performances from fan-favourite contestants including Hollyoaks' Ray Quinn and Gemma Collins.

Unfortunately, former X Factor star and 2018 Dancing on Ice winner Jake Quickenden has revealed that he's been forced to drop out of the Christmas special entirely after breaking a bone in his neck during rehearsals.

"Luckily this is improving but I don't have enough time to heal unfortunately, I have to put into perspective that I can't risk falling and damaging my neck even more," he shared last month.

Dancing on Ice at Christmas airs on Sunday, December 22, while Dancing on Ice returns on Sunday, January 5.