Holly Willoughby gave Stephen Mulhern a ‘huge welcome’ after becoming a permanent host on Dancing on Ice.
However, the former This Morning presenter – who has been hosting the ITV skating show since 2006 – was left ‘pleasantly surprised’ after the new host was ‘punched’ to the ground by boxing legend Ricky Hatton.
Now, Willoughby and Mulhern’s working relationship dates back 20 years when the pair hosted ITV Saturday morning children’s show Ministry Of Mayhem.
Wow, I feel old.
Anyway, ahead of the return of this year’s skating competition, Mulhern wrote on X (Twitter): “Today is the day! I can’t wait to be reuniting with @HollyWills at 6:30pm to kick off the brand new series of @DancingOnIce! Don’t miss it, live on @ITV!”
And Sunday (14 January) marked the first episode Dancing on Ice, as ex-host Phillip Schofield left ITV last year after admitting to an affair with a younger male This Morning employee.
Willoughby, who wore a silver sparkly dress, said: “To the greatest show on ice, and let’s hear it for the amazing cast of 2024. Let me just say a huge welcome to Stephen Mulhern.”
Dancing on Ice also saw This Morning star Josie Gibson, who was in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! last year, welcome Willoughby back when she arrived on the ice in a sled.
Meanwhile, former world champion Hatton was put in the skate off after a boxing-inspired performance did not thrill the judges or TV audience.
Dressed in boxing attire, Hatton wore knee pads as he did mini-punches and press-ups on the ice to Rocky theme tune ‘Gonna Fly Now’ by Bill Conti, with his skating partner Robin Johnstone.
As a result, the 45-year-old received 12.5 points from the judges and he could face elimination next week following a public vote.
However, the moment of the night came when Hatton ‘punched’ Mulhern after he wound him up.
During a skit, the boxer was asked to hold the microphone, but Mulhern kept moving it away.
Willoughby said: “Just hit him Ricky please.”
And that’s exactly what he did.
“Hahahaha I have to say well done Ricky Hatton. Laughing so hard over that punch #DOI #DancingOnIce,” one viewer tweeted.
“Script probably says ‘Ricky Hatton gives Stephen Mulhern a gentle push’,” another added.
“I bet Stephen Mulhern now has a dead arm after Ricky Hatton just clobbered him on #DancingOnIce,” someone else said.