Dancing on Ice stars banned from being touched as they struggle learning dangerous lifts

DANCING on Ice stars have been banned from being touched - despite struggling to learn dangerous lifts.

Coronavirus social-distancing rules have put a stop to celebrities being given a helping hand by professionals in training.

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It means the 2021 contestants are arguably facing the most challenging series in the show's history.

In past years, Olympic legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have given hands on help to celebrities on the ice.

But strict rules following Government guidelines on the show makes it impossible this series.

Now stars will have only their professional skating partner to rely on to tackle risky moves like headbangers.

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Capital FM presenter Sonny Jay told The Sun: "This year's so different to any other year when it comes to lifts.

"No one can help us and touch us, so we have to try it all out ourselves.

"It’s trial and error with the lifts."

Last week the radio DJ dropped his partner Angela Egan as they bravely attempted a headbanger-style lift while ramping up rehearsals.

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Luckily both avoided any injury and shared a laugh as resilient Angela got ready to give it another go.

"Practice makes perfect with this kind of thing so got to get up keep trying," added Sonny.

"I don’t know how Angela still trusts me to lift her after the amount of times we’ve gone down though!"

Meanwhile celebrity skater Rebekah Vardy revealed her dance partner Andy Buchanan was rushed to hospital following a horrifying training accident.

Becky, 38, said Andy was rushed to hospital after she sliced open his face with her skate.

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She said: "I seem to be the only one who’s ended up hurting my pro, putting him in hospital.

"I do apologise. No, It was awful; I think I’ve just come to terms with scarring his face."

Despite the current national lockdown, fans were thrilled last week when it was confirmed presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby will be back to front the skating competition on Sunday.

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An ITV spokesperson said: "We have stringent protocols in place to ensure the health and safety of all our contributors and staff which are routinely monitored and updated to reflect the current guidelines."

• Dancing On Ice start on Sunday, January 17 at 6pm on ITV.