Katarina Witt

ITV has announced the new judging panel for the hit entertainment show Dancing On Ice 2012.

TV personality Louie Spence and twice Olympic figure skating champion Katarina Witt will be joining resident head judge Robin Cousins on the ice panel when the show returns in the New Year.

Head coach Karen Barber will be back to offer her expertise and support to the show’s celebrity skaters.

Acclaimed chorographer Louie Spence will draw on his wealth of experience in dance and choreography to offer his critique on the celebrity’s’ performances. Currently the artistic director at Pineapple studios, Louie has worked with some of the world’s biggest stars including, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams and Mariah Carey, before becoming a household name with the observational series based at internationally renowned Pineapple Dance Studios.

An original member of the award winning cast of Miss Saigon, he earned the coveted title of Primo Ballerino and danced with stars including Whitney Houston and Tina Turner. In 2008 Louie was one of the trio of judges on the successful NBC prime-time show Celebrity Circus and was voted as one of the top ten reality show judges in America.

Katarina Witt dominated figure skating for over a decade winning a legion of medals and making her one of the most successful figure skaters of all time. She won Olympic golds in both the 1984 Sarajevo (the same year as Torvill and Dean’s legendary Bolero gold medal win) and 1988 Calgary Olympics. She retains the record of most consecutive European titles, sharing it with fellow skater Sonja Henie.

After retiring from competitive skating, the former model has continued to entertain audiences appearing in Holiday on Ice, and also made the leap into acting winning an Emmy for her title role in 1990 film Carmen on Ice. She has since been inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame.

Louie Spence said: “I’m looking forward to being part of such a challenging and spectacular show and can’t wait to give my encouragement and critique on the contestants’ dance and performance on the ice.”

Katarina Witt said: “I can’t wait to join the Dancing On Ice judging panel. As well as offering support and constructive advice to this years’ celebrity skaters I’m also looking forward to working alongside my close friends Torvill and Dean.

Layla Smith, Controller of Entertainment, ITV said: “We are thrilled to welcome Louie and Katarina to the new Dancing On Ice panel. The pair have a wealth of experience which they will be bringing to the new series. Their unique flare and passion for their professions will doubtless make for some interesting debates.

“We’d like to thank Emma Bunton and Jason Gardiner for their valued contribution during previous series and wish them both all the best with their future projects.”

Check out thew rumoured Dancing On Ice 2012 lineup here.

View the original post Katarina Witt, Louie Spence, Robin Cousins judging on Dancing On Ice 2012 – Emma Bunton and Jason Gardiner sacked! on Unreality TV

Dancing On Ice kicks off in less than two months, but two members of it’s judging panel have not yet been offered a contract for their return.

The Sun claims that neither Emma Bunton or Jason Gardiner have been asked to come back to the show and that ITV bosses are considering replacing one of the experts with Pineapple Dance Studios star Louie Spence.

If true, the move will cause a lot of awkwardness between the celebrities, as Louie is close pals with both the former Spice Girl and the dance expert.

Former British champion skater Robin Cousins is said to have already agreed a deal, which will see him appearing on the 2012 series, however though both Emma and Jason have held talks with producers, none has yet been guaranteed their spot on the panel.

“This year’s judging line-up is being taken to the wire.

“Producers want to refresh things and Jason and Emma look the most vulnerable.

“The show has been running for several years and like all ITV shows they are overhauled occasionally to keep viewers interested.”

Emma Bunton seems most likely top be axed, as she has no real ice skating or dance experience and has only appeared on the show for two series’. In 2010 she replaced Karen Barber, who went on to become head coach of the celebrity contestants.

Bosses may want rid of Jason though, as he is an OFCOM investigation magnet all on his own. Last year more than 3,500 people complained to the channel about vicious comments he made to Karen on air. In 2009 the regulatory body were also called in to investigate the show, after the star Gardiner branded Roxanne Pallet a “Cabbage Patch doll” and compared Ellery Hanley to “Mr. Potato Head”.

Dancing On Ice returns in January and will reportedly feature stars such as Coronation Street actor Andy Whyment, Eastenders actress Laila Morse, Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden, Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter and Sugababes singer Heidi Range.

Check out the full lineup so far here.

This year’s show will also have a different host, after it was revealed that Holly Willoughby will not be ch-presenting with Phillip Schofield as usual. instead the Silver Fox will be joined by disgraced Daybreak star Christine Bleakley.

It is claimed that Holly will go on to work on BBC’s The Voice.

Are you looking forward to Dancing On Ice’s return? Will you watch without Jason or Emma or even Holly? Leave your comments below.

View the original post Dancing On Ice 2012: Jason Gardiner or Emma Bunton to be replaced by Louie Spence? on Unreality TV

Emma Bunton has revealed that Laura Hamilton’s solo routine last Sunday, was her favourite performance of this year’s Dancing On Ice series.

Laura won high praise from the judges, after she skated to These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ on the semi-final of the ITV show.

Afterwards Jason Gardiner raved:

“I am blown away. That was a solo skate I didn’t think we would see from anyone. You deserve to go through to the final.”

Speaking on This Morning, Bunton revealed that Laura’s cowgirl themed routine was her season highlight. She told Phillip Schofield:

Laura’s solo dance on Sunday was so incredible because you saw her as a performer, on her own, no partner. It was a scary moment for her and she pulled it all out. Also Sam, I loved Sam and the Riverdance. I couldn’t quite believe it but for me that was a real turning point.

Jason Gardiner agreed with Emma and said that although Sam’s Irish dancing on ice shouldn’t have worked, it turned out to be performance gold. He said:

To be honest, I really didn’t think this would work – when they said Riverdance on ice I could think of nothing worse. And then he came out and it was absolutely incredible.

Robin Cousins chose a different moment as his series favourite and remembered how well both Jeff Brazier and Sam Attwater performed in their recent skate off. He added:

One of my favourite bits was watching Sam and Jeff in the skate off together. I didn’t like the fact that either of them were there but what the skate off has done is that they raise their game and go up against it. They had both made silly mistakes that they both were able to fix and that skate off was the best of the series.

View the original post Dancing On Ice: Laura Hamilton’s solo routine was Emma Bunton’s series highlight on Unreality TV

Dancing On Ice judges Robin Cousins, Emma Bunton and Jason Gardiner have spilled the beans on who they think will win the show this Sunday night.

Johnson Beharry was eliminated from the ITV series last weekend, after finding himself in the skate off against TV personality Chloe Madeley. Chloe, Sam Attwater and Laura Hamilton will now go on the compete in Sunday’s final, and speaking about who they think will take the title both Robin and Emma revealed they are backing the former children’s TV presenter.

When asked who his favourite remaining contestant is, Robin told Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on This Morning:

Laura, I’ve said it. I’ve put it out there!

Emma Bunton agreed, saying:

My mum’s a huge fan of Laura, I think she’s standing out at the moment for everybody.

But, always trying to be a bit different, Jason Gardiner spoke of the huge amount of public support being directed at Chloe. He said:

Interestingly enough, a lot of people have said to me that they love Chloe because she represents someone that they can relate to and she’s worked so incredibly hard and she has been the one that has shocked them the most.

Phillip also revealed that acclaimed violinist David Garrett has arranged a new rock version of the Bolero for the three remaining celebrities.

Although she is backing Laura to win, former Spice Girl Bunton did admit that she really hopes to see Sam Attwater performing the iconic routine on Sunday. She said:

I hope Sam does the bolero though, I’d love to see him do a bolero.

Who do you think will win the series? Who will you be voting for? Leave your comments below.

View the original post Dancing On Ice: Robin Cousins and Emma Bunton think Laura Hamilton will win! on Unreality TV

Emma Bunton has claimed that being pregnant again has helped her “bond” with her fellow Spice Girls singers.

The Dancing On Ice judge – who is currently expecting her second child with fiance and long term partner Jade Jones – doesn’t get to catch up with Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Mel B or Mel C as often as she would like, but says they grow closer when one of them is going through a life-changing experience.

She explained: “Because we’re all so busy we don’t get to see as much of each other as we’d like but when something like this happens the bond we have shines through. It’s like a sisterly relationship and that will always be there.”

The blonde singer, who already has three-year-old son Beau with Jade, also revealed the former bandmates use family occasions as an excuse to get together and socialise.

She said: “In fact Scarlet [Mel C's daughter] and Cruz [Victoria and David Beckham's son] have birthdays in a few days so it’s great excuse to get together.”

Emma is particularly close to Victoria and David – who are currently expecting their fourth child – and she recently enjoyed celebrating her engagement with the couple.

She said: “Because Victoria and I are pregnant we talked about that for a bit then I said, ‘I do have some other exciting news’ and I held up my ring. They jumped out of their seats and hugged and kissed us.”

View the original post Dancing On Ice: Emma Bunton says the Spice Girls are like sisters! on Unreality TV

Emma Bunton has admitted that she has “fallen in love again” since she and her partner Jade Jones got engaged.

The Dancing On Ice judge – who is pregnant with their second baby – was delighted when the ex-Damage singer proposed on her 35th birthday last month, and admitted that she had no idea he was planning to do so.

Emma – who has been with Jade for 13 years – said: “I know this is going to sound cheesy but getting engaged has been like falling in love all over again. I wasn’t expecting that but it is such a wonderful feeling. ”

The 32-year-old former pop star decided it was time to ask the 35-year-old blonde beauty to marry him when their three-year-old son Beau started asking him if they were husband and wife.

He explained: “Beau asked me a little while back, ‘Are you and mummy married?’ And that got me thinking. I come from a family where my parents weren’t married and I wanted to give Beau a proper family set-up.”

Emma and Jade are taking a relaxed approach to planning to their wedding with the groom-to-be admitting they find the thought of a big occasion “daunting”.

He said: “We’re quite understated. We don’t like a big fuss. I guess we were daunted by the thought of planning it all. To be honest we still are.”

Emma added to HELLO! magazine: “We haven’t even gone there yet. We want to spend time celebrating this chapter of our lives and the next thing will be welcoming our gorgeous new baby. I’m not one of those women who has dreamed about how her wedding day will be.”

View the original post Dancing On Ice: Emma Bunton LOVES being engaged! on Unreality TV

Dancing On Ice judge Emma Bunton reportedly missed the entire skate off on Sunday night, because she was chatting on her phone.

Audience members who watched Jennifer Metcalfe and Vanilla Ice compete on the ITV show say that the former Spice Girl hardly cast a glance at the pair’s performances.

The pregnant mum of one voted to keep Vanilla, saying that he gave the better performance on the night but one fan vented online:

“She wasn’t even watching!”

The news will be a blow to Jennifer Metcalfe, who has since admitted that she was devastated to be eliminated from the show. She said during an interview on This Morning:

I was really gutted, I just wanted another couple of weeks at least under my belt. I felt like I had it in me and I wanted to do that little bit more and I won’t get the chance now.

View the original post Dancing On Ice: Emma Bunton didn’t watch Vanilla Ice and Jennifer Metcalfe skate off on Unreality TV

It has been revealed by Emma Bunton on her Heart 106.2 London Saturday drive time show, that she is expecting a baby boy with her Finace Jade Jones.

The 35-year-old Dancing on Ice judge – who gave birth to son Beau Lee Jones in August 2007 – said there would be “big news” before her programme and announced her news later in the day. She later reached out to Amanda Holden, after it was revealed that the Britain’s Got Talent star had unfortunately lost her baby at 7 months pregnant.

Emma took to Twitter to write:

“Absolutely Devastated for @Amanda_Holden and Chris. Thinking of them and sending out prayers at this very sad time.”

This article was written by Unreality TV guest blogger Nick Barnes. Catch him on Twitter here twitter.com/thisisnickkk

If you have writing experience and fancy becoming an Unreality TV roving reporter or guest blogger then apply here.

View the original post Dancing On Ice 2011: Emma Bunton is expecting a baby boy! on Unreality TV

Emma Bunton has announced her engagement.

The former Spice Girls singer – who is pregnant with her second child – announced she is to wed her partner of 11 years, Jade Jones, after he proposed over the weekend.

Speaking tonight (23.01.11) on UK TV show ‘Dancing On Ice’ – which she is a judge on – a radiant Emma said: “Yes I’m engaged. We’ve got a second baby on the way and we’re getting married so it’s all very exciting!”

She then proudly showed off her engagement ring to the camera.

Emma – who has a three-year-old son, Beau, with Jade – had previously said she didn’t want to marry Jade as she was happy with how their relationship was.

She said: “I’m not keen for him to propose. The thing with me and Jade is it’s been so brilliant and we are happy as we are. Of course, we have talked about marriage, but we like it the way it is. We have a child together, which is the most wonderful thing anyway.

“It’s such a special thing for us to have a son. We’re soulmates.”

View the original post Dancing On Ice 2011: Emma Bunton and Jade Jones get engaged! on Unreality TV

Dancing On ice judge Emma Bunton has revealed that she will be wearing some of Dannii Minogue’s gowns when the show returns this weekend.

The former Spice Girl is pregnant with her second child and is due to give birth this April. She plans to take a leaf out of X Factor judge’s Dannii Minogue’s book and stay glamorous throughout her pregnancy and speaking about what dresses she will wear each Sunday night, Emma told The Sun:

“I will still try and have lots of glitz and glamour while having a baby bump. When Dannii Minogue was pregnant and she wore her own dresses they looked wonderful – so I will try to nab a couple.”

Dancing On Ice starts tomorrow on ITV1 at 6.30pm.

View the original post Dancing On Ice 2011: Emma Bunton will sport Dannii Minogue’s designs on Unreality TV