Big cracks are appearing in Dancing on Ice with less than 19 minutes of skating in Sunday’s two-hour show.
An injury crisis has put the ITV series in such a spin that 58-year-old host Phillip Schofield said he might have to take part – a joke he shared twice.
The 18 minutes and 53 seconds of action included a pre-recorded two-and-a-half minute clip of skaters dancing around singer Rita Ora as she performed her single, Bang Bang.
There was also 25 seconds of DoI’s 2014 All Stars champion Ray Quinn on the ice.
A large slice of the show, 27 minutes and 14 seconds, was adverts breaks.
DoI was already reeling from losing four contestants when Jason Donovan, 52, pulled out of Sunday’s performance with a bad back, following medical advice.
However the ex-Neighbour’s star should be well enough to perform next weekend.
Before Sunday’s show, ex-contestant and ITV newsreader Lucrezia Millarini posted on social media: “I’m starting to wonder how they’ll fill the two hours tonight.”
Phil shared a snap of himself and co-host Holly Willoughby and joked: “We’re still here! Haven’t been asked
to skate... yet!”
He made the same gag in the show, after Holly said Emmerdale star Joe-Warren Plant had to pull out after testing positive for Covid-19.
Holly replied: “Don’t even say it!” Comic Rufus Hound left for the same reason while actress Denise van Outen and ex-TOWIE star Billie Shepherd both quit with injuries.
Rapper Lady Leshurr, WAG Rebekah Vardy, actress Faye Brookes, Capital FM DJ Sonny Jay and Olympian Colin Jackson will compete on Sunday.
Rebekah and partner Andy Buchanan scored highly for their routine, which featured the dangerous headbanger move.
*Dancing on Ice airs Sundays at 6pm on ITV.
