Viewers not happy about Dancing on Ice rule change
The phone lines were opened early which fans believe turned the show into a popularity contest
Hosts Phillip Scofield and Holly Willoughby announced a controversial rule change at the beginning of Sunday evening's Dancing on Ice.
The duo confirmed that two couples would be leaving the competition instead of one, and that, as a result, the phone lines would be open from the beginning of the broadcast – before any performances had actually taken place – to give viewers more time to save their favourites.
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Many viewers took to social media to critique the decision, complaining that it had turned the series into a "popularity contest", as it meant skaters would not be judged on the merits of their dancing, but on who had been favoured over the course of the series.
"Well done #DancingOnIce. Way to lose some more credibility," user @TellyLad wrote on Twitter. "Open vote before they have even done any performances. Proves my point that it’s a popularity contest not an ice dancing contest."
As a result, Anthony Cotton and Donna Air were given the boot, leaving Max Evans, Kem Cetinay, Brooke Vincent, Alex Beresford and Jake Quickenden to battle it out next week.
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Last night's episode also featured an appearance from pop star Camilla Cabello, who rolled out a stunning performance of her song "never be the same" on the ice with the professionals skating around her. Check it out below.
Dancing on Ice airs on ITV on Sundays
