Viewers not happy about Dancing on Ice rule change

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.

• Who left Dancing on Ice? Full list of eliminated celebrities and professional skaters
• Everything you need to know about Dancing on Ice 2018

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.”

So we can vote before we've even seen them do anything? Officially making it a popularity contest. This programme is a joke. #DancingOnIce

— Matthew Gormley (@MatthewPGormley) February 18, 2018

What?! #DancingOnIce vote lines open BEFORE they've skated? How can we possibly vote on something without any knowledge of how it'll end up?

*cough* Brexit *cough*

— Rob (@BrumRobBrum) February 18, 2018

Why are lines open at start ? That's am unfair advantage to the likes of Jake and kem, people won't even need to watch it n can just vote #dancingonice

— Ashley. (@GersGirl20) February 18, 2018

@dancingonice So you’re opening the lines to vote already. Without seeing the skating? Basically asking to vote for your favourite person not the best skater! #Nice ?? #DancingOnIce

— ?Lisa? (@LisaKsWorld) February 18, 2018

Well done #DancingOnIce. Way to lose some more credibility. Open vote before they have even done any performances. Proves my point that it’s a popularity contest not an ice dancing contest. ???

— Telly Lad (@TellyLad) February 18, 2018

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.

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