Dancing on Ice judges: All the panellists as Oti Mabuse returns for second season
Meet your Dancing on Ice judges!
Star-studded skating extravaganza Dancing on Ice is back on our screens for its 15th season, and a new line-up of celebrities will be hoping to impress the show’s judging panel.
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional (and two-time winner) Oti Mabuse proved to be an inspired addition to the panel when she joined last year, replacing John Barrowman.
As well as bringing her serious dance know-how, she also injected her trademark enthusiasm into proceedings and quickly struck up a rapport with her fellow judges, Diversity’s Ashley Banjo and ice skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
The quartet made a great team, and they’ll all be taking their seats at the side of the rink for the new season, ready to dish out advice and provide their take on each contestant’s routine.
Before the opening episode, here’s everything you need to know about the judging panel for Dancing on Ice 2023.
Who are the Dancing on Ice judges?
Jayne Torvill
Age: 65
Twitter: @torvillanddean
Instagram: @jaynetorvill_official
One-half of one of the most popular ice skating partnerships of all time – more on the other half in a minute – Jayne Torvill is a voice the contestants would do well to listen to when she hands out advice.
Jayne has been a part of the Dancing on Ice family since it began in 2006, first acting as a mentor to contestants, and she joined the judging panel in 2018. Jayne started skating at the age of 8 and went on to win many competitions, and she and her partner made history with perfect scores at the 1984 Olympic Games.
Christopher Dean
Age: 64
Twitter: @torvillanddean
Formerly a police officer, Christopher Dean quit that to join forces with Jayne Torvill as an ice skating duo - and we are sure that is a decision he does not regret. Torvill and Dean became the faces of ice skating in the UK and they racked up numerous wins across a long and illustrious career - including an Olympic gold medal at Sarajevo in 1984 and multiple golds at the British, European and World championships.
Keeping it in the show family, Christopher is married to Dancing on Ice head coach Karen Barber - no, he and Jayne are only friends and not a married couple as many people assume.
Ashley Banjo
Age: 34
Twitter: @ashleybanjo
Instagram: @ashleybanjogram
Ashley Banjo is back in his Dancing on Ice seat once again having first joined the show back in 2018. Ashley rose to fame as part of Diversity, the memorable dance group that competed on Britain's Got Talent in 2009 - they won the season, beating runner-up Susan Boyle.
He also appeared as a judge on Sky’s Got to Dance and took the place of Simon Cowell in 2020's BGT season when the host was ruled out of appearing due to a serious back injury.
Oti Mabuse
Age: 32
Twitter: @otimabuse
Instagram:@otimabuse
Oti is still best known for her successful stint as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, winning the competition over two consecutive years with celebrity dance partners Kelvin Fletcher and Bill Bailey. She announced in early 2022 that she'd be leaving the show after seven years to pursue other opportunities.
She joined Dancing on Ice last year, and has also appeared as a panellist on ITV's The Masked Dancer. She also served as a judge on BBC dance contest The Greatest Dancer.
Dancing on Ice starts on ITV1 on Sunday 15th January 2023 at 6:30pm. Want something else to watch? Check out our full TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our Entertainment hub for the latest news.
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