Jason Gardiner, Emma Bunton leave 'Dancing on Ice'
Published Dec 2 2011, 20:07 GMT | By Paul Millar
Jason Gardiner and Emma Bunton have announced their departure from Dancing on Ice.Both Gardiner and Bunton confirmed on Twitter tonight that they will not return to the ITV1 skating show for the new series in January, confirming previous reports which also suggested that Louie Spence would feature in the show's next run.
Gardiner, who has sat on the show's panel since it began, tweeted: "I will NOT be returning to DOI next series. It has been an iconic 6 years & I've loved being a part of it."
© Rex Features / ITV
© Channel 5
Meanwhile, Bunton said: "Thank you so much for all your lovely messages!I made the hard decision to leave the DOI judging panel to focus on projects in 2012."
The former Spice Girl, who only judged the 2010 and 2011 series, added: "I had such a fun time and wish everyone on the show the best of luck!"
Spence appeared to confirm his role in the show by addressing Gardiner and Bunton on Twitter. He wrote: "thanks for your good luck messages xx"
However, head judge Robin Cousins revealed that he is staying for the 2012 series, telling fans: "I will be back in the hot seat in January."
© WENN
© PA Images / David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment
Christine Bleakley recently replaced Holly Willoughby as the host alongside Phillip Schofield.
The news represents Dancing on Ice's biggest revamp since the Sunday evening ratings winner began in 2006.
> Christine Bleakley admits to Dancing on Ice butterflies
Gardiner caused controversy last series when he clashed live on air with celebrity mentor Karen Barber.
Watch Jason Gardiner and Karen Barber exchange angry words on Dancing on Ice below:
1. Christine Bleakley is a poor replacement for Holly Willoughby, they would have done a better job leaving the Silver Fox to it himself.
2. Katrina Witt will be a vast improvement to having Emma Bunton on the panel. She should never have been given a place on it in the first place, parading around in platform trainers doesn't really give you the credentials to judge ice dance.
3. Jason Gardiner, whilst controversial, the baseline of his comments were always spot on. Louis Spence is good at what he does & all he knows but is completely the wrong personality for this show / panel.
4. Karen Barber should either be on the panel or kept in the background. Her displays and comments now that she isn't on the panel are pointless and guff. Working with them throughout the week, she is too close to the contestants to be objective or constructive. Her current role is waste of time.
Why don't the producers & co make a good change to this show? How about keeping the male & female contestants separate when competing. The roles in which each play can't be compared and never are compared fairly. It's easier for the women to be lifted than it is for the men to lift. This would be a welcomed change. That's just my two-pence anyway.
December 20th 2011 at 10:02am
could you take the time to look at Jasons CV, I think you will find he is a bit of a dancer too
December 6th 2011 at 10:51am
please bring karen barber back she knows what she is talking about.
December 5th 2011 at 12:39pm
Val Woodhouse I might as well not watch... they better get some hot celebs to take part!!! Maybe the McFly guy that hasn't done any reality tv yet... Tom I think!!! haha
December 3rd 2011 at 11:07am
Gary-William Burletson - can't find anything online about Emma's choreography background. Where did she train, what has she done? I thought she was just a competent dancer from general stage school and Strictly.
December 3rd 2011 at 10:12am