Jordan Banjo has been dropped from ‘Dancing On Ice’ because there are no plans to show the backstage area any more.
The Diversity dancer hosted backstage segments on the celebrity skating contest when the show returned to ITV this year and while he was a hit with viewers, shake-ups to the new series of the programme means he won’t be involved any more as the behind-the-scenes areas won’t be seen on screen.
A source told The Sun Online:
“Jordan was brilliant, but there have been changes to his schedule that mean he’s unavailable to film next year, so he’ll be axed from the format.”
And there are other changes in store for the programme, with “at least three or four” professional skaters departing and being replaced with new stars.
The insider added:
“There will be a lot of new faces on the ice, too. Ale Izquierdo, who skated with Max Evans in this year’s show, won’t return, neither will Melody Le Moal, who was partnered with Lemar.
“Show bosses are bringing in new professionals to shake things up.”
That’s not all as Olympic champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will delight fans by skating on the ice once again.
The source said:
“Everyone who watches the show wants to see them skate their famous Bolero and demand was huge for them to do it again.”
The duo will also return to the judging panel, alongside Jordan’s brother, Ashley Banjo and tough-talking Jason Gardiner, while Karen Barber is returning as head coach.
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield will also return to present the show.
The full celebrity line-up for the new series has already been announced and includes former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ professional James Jordan, ‘TOWIE’ star Gemma Collins, ex-‘Neighbours’ actor Mark Little, singer Brian McFadden, ‘Love Island’s Wes Nelson, ‘X Factor’ finalist Saara Alto, ‘Loose Women’ panellist Saira Khan, ‘Grease!’ legend Didi Conn, actor-and-rapper Richard Blackwood, cricketer Ryan Sidebottom, ‘Coronation Street’s Jane Danson and Pussycat Dolls singer Melody Thornton.