Dancing On Ice viewers beg bosses to keep guest judge ahead of Ashley Banjo’s return
The Diversity star's replacement is a very experienced figure skater
DANCING On Ice viewers have begged bosses to keep guest judge Johnny Weir ahead of Ashley Banjo’s return.
Over the past three episodes the American figure skater, 39, has given his verdict on the performances alongside Torvill and Dean and Oti Mabuse on the ITV show.
Diversity star Ashley, 35, will be back on our screens next week.
However fans of the ITV show have loved having Johnny as part of the panel and would like to make him a permanent fixture.
He wowed fans with his flamboyant costumes and an incredible skating performance which fans described as “beautiful”.
Many have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts.
One wrote: “I like Ashley Banjo, but Johnny needs to be permanent.”
Another said: “Can we pleeeease keep Johnny Weir The show’s a million times better with him.”
“Please have Johnny back next year.. he’s the perfect bridge with performance+ ice knowledge and has been super refreshing,” a third asked.
A fourth added: “Johnny should replace Ashley.”
Ashley joined Dancing On Ice in 2018 for its 10th series.
This year he had to miss three episodes because of commitments with his dance squad Diversity.
The group, who won Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, are currently on tour.
However, Ashley is back for the semi-finals next Sunday to judge the remaining celebrities, Adele Roberts, Amber Davies, Greg Rutherford, Miles Nazaire, and Ryan Thomas.
Johnny is a very experienced figure skater having taken part in two Winter Olympics.
The star won bronze at the 2008 World Figure Skating Championships, as well as a number of other impressive medals.
He is also a three-time US national champion, and retired from competition in 2013.
Dancing On Ice judges: past and present
The popular ITV show has had a range of faces on the judging panel since it hit our screens in 2006. Let's take a look at who...
- Karen Barber – series 1 to 9
- Robin Cousins – series 1 – 9
- Jason Gardiner – series 1 to 6, then 8 – 12
- Nicky Slater – series 1 – 5
- Karen Kresge – series 1
- Natalia Bestemianova – series 2
- Ruthie Henshall – series 2 – 4
- Emma Bunton – series 5 – 6
- Louie Spence – series 7
- Katarina Witt- series 7
- Ashley Roberts – series 8 – 9
- Ashley Banjo – series 10 to present
- Christopher Dean – series 10 to present
- Jayne Torvill – series 10 to present
- John Barrowman – series 11 – 12
- Oti Mabuse – series 13 to present
Johnny took to Instagram to open up about his role ahead of appearing on the ITV show.
He wrote: “Good morning everyone, I’ve just hopped on the ice for my final practice before I head off to London tomorrow to take part in Dancing On Ice which is one of the biggest skating TV shows in the entire world.
“In all my 27 years of skating I’ve never performed on the ice in the UK so looking forward to that and seeing all the couples perform and sitting next to Jane and Christopher!”
After his last show, Jonny posted his thanks on Instagram saying: “Thank you to the entire United Kingdom for having me!
“It has been an honor to be a part of @dancingonice!”
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