Dancing on Ice star Matt Evers quits after 17 years amid massive show shake-up
DANCING On Ice pro Matt Evers has quit the ITV skating series after 17 years.
The American skater, 47, will not return to the ice in January and told The Sun that he “knew this day would come” after 15 series on the hit show.
Matt, who joined the show in 2004, made history when he became the first skater to be in a same-sex pairing with Steps singer Ian "H" Watkins in 2020.
His famous pairings also included TOWIE star Gemma Collins and EastEnders legend Patsy Palmer.
In a statement, he said: “I have some news to share. I knew this day would come at some point but I won’t be returning to Dancing on Ice this series.
“After 15 series of the show it was sadly time to hang up the skates for now. I have loved every minute of it (honestly!)
“I’ve had some incredible partners over the years and we have created some fantastic TV moments!
“I mean who can forget that fall from Gemma, or the wardrobe malfunction from Pamela!”
He added: “And I was honoured to make history with H as the first ever UK same sex televised partnership.
“To all my leading ladies (and H) it was a pleasure! Bonnie Langford, Lara Bingle/Worthington (Australian Dancing on Ice), Lisa Scott Lee, Suzanne Shaw, Zoe Salmon, Heather Mills, Denise Welch, Jorgie Porter, Pamela Anderson, Candice Brown, Gemma Collins, Ian ‘H’ Watkins, Denise Van Outen, Faye Brooks, Sally Dynevor and Patsy Palmer.
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“I’ll miss each and everyone on the show, in front and behind the camera – and all of you the fans too!
“But of course I’ll be watching and commenting – which I can now be totally 100 per cent honest about so watch out – haha!
“I’m writing this from the West Coast of the US in sunny Los Angeles - but I’ll definitely be back in the UK very soon so watch this space!
“This isn’t a goodbye but a ‘see you very soon.’”
A spokeswoman for Dancing On Ice said: “Matt has been a huge part of the show from the very first series creating some of the show's iconic moments.
“From performing the first ever headbanger on the very first show with partner Bonnie Langford, storming to victory with partner Suzanne Shaw in season three and performing in our first ever same sex couple with Ian 'H' Watkins on season 12.
“Matt will always be a part of the Dancing On Ice family and we wish him all the very best for the future.”