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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Kyle O'Sullivan

Hamish Gaman's Dancing on Ice hell - horror injury, 'bullying' denial and shock axing

Hamish Gaman endured a lot of misery during his four series on Dancing on Ice - and has now been brutally axed.

The professional skater first hit our screens in 2018 when the series was revived but didn't last long as he was third to be eliminated with Olympian Perri Shakes-Drayton.

The following year was a massive success as Hamish made it all the way to the final with X Factor singer Saara Aalto.

However, he pulled out of the competition early in his final two years on the show in very controversial fashion - with 'bullying' claims, tensions and a horror injury.

Now Hamish has been left feeling "devastated and confused" after his shock axing, with the pro skater confessing he is struggling to understand why he has been given the chop.

With Hamish's Dancing on Ice journey at an abrupt end, here is a look at the hellish ordeal he has been plagued with over his four series.

Caprice 'bullying' scandal

Caprice claimed she was "scared to speak" during training with Hamish, and they parted ways after one week (ITV)

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Back in 2020, Hamish was at the centre of a 'bullying' scandal.

She was originally paired with Hamish, but during a live broadcast it was announced they would not skate together any more after clashing in training.

Caprice reportedly complained to show bosses about Hamish's behaviour and threatened to quit if she was made to skate with him again.

Breaking his silence, Hamish thanked his family, fans and ITV for their support, adding: "I’m comforted knowing the truth always comes out in the end and I hope we can focus on the skating again now."

According to backstage sources on the show, their relationship turned 'toxic' as Caprice was 'pushed beyond her capabilities by her 'taskmaster' skating partner.

However, ITV strongly refuted the claims and said they have found no evidence of 'bullying'.

The pair parted on bad terms (REX)

A spokesperson stated: "We take allegations of bullying very seriously but found no evidence on Dancing On Ice and we strongly refute any suggestion to the contrary.

"We're very proud of the team, both on and off screen. They produce a fantastic show and we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works on the programme is fully supported."

While Hamish took a backseat and only returned for group numbers, Caprice briefly continued with a new partner before quitting for good because it 'affected her mental wellbeing'.

Sources close to Caprice insisted she was disappointed in the way she had been treated by ITV after the incident with Hamish which saw them split and hit out at a 'lack of duty of care'.

In response, ITV said: "We take our duty of care very seriously. We have always been fully committed to ensuring that everyone involved on Dancing On Ice is fully supported."

Horror injury

Hamish had to withdraw from the competition in 2021 (Hamish Gaman /Instagram)
Hamish has said that he is 'heartbroken' to be out of Dancing On Ice (BACKGRID)

Last year's Dancing on Ice was plagued by tragedy, misfortune and accidents amid the Covid pandemic.

It got so bad that the greatest show on ice had to be taken off air for a week due to an injury crisis - with many celebs booted out of the competition because of the strict rules stating they could only miss two weeks on the ice.

The weirdest exit of them all, Hamish Gaman was forced to quit the show because of a bizarre finger injury.

Faye Brookes' professional skating partner had to withdraw from the competition after snapping a tendon in his hand while taking a sock off.

This came as a shock to viewers as Hamish had posted just hours before the official ITV statement that he had been given the all clear by a private doctor.

"Hi everyone I’m heartbroken that I’ll no longer be skating with @faye_brookes on @dancingonice," announced Hamish.

Faye and Hamish were seen as potential winners (ITV)

"I’m so grateful that I don’t need any surgery on my finger, but if I stay in the show I could have an accident and make my injury much worse (it is series 13).

"Coaching Faye for 4+ months has been a privilege and I’m so proud of the incredible skater that she’s become. I remember her being scared of skating backwards and wondering if she’d ever be able to do a 3-turn or backward crossover. Faye, you’ve come so far and achieved so much."

The former Coronation Street star carried on and partnered up with Dancing on Ice legend Matt Evers, who was originally with Denise Van Outen before her horror injury.

Faye was glad to still be skating but admitted she was gutted that she would not be able to skate with Hamish again.

Praising her former partner Hamish, Faye wrote: "It’s not the end of my journey it’s just a change of direction...

"I had the honour of being taught how to skate by the one and only @hamishgaman and with all the skills & knowledge that he so kindly gave to me I now get to begin a whole new chapter with @themattevers. Who’s Ready?"

Shock axing

Hamish won't be getting a celeb partner this year - or even appearing on the show at all (Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

A brand new series of Dancing on Ice is just around the corner, but Hamish will not be playing any part in it.

He has been left out of next year's line-up as show bosses have made changes to freshen up their roster of professional skaters.

The "surprise" axing has left Hamish feeling "confused" as he struggles to understand why he has been left out.

He is also "devastated" he won't be skating with dance partner Vanessa Bauer on the show again, but she is returning to the ice again in January.

Confirming the news in a candid social media post, Hamish wrote: "The producers told me that they weren't bringing me back because they wanted to freshen up the line-up.

"I was completely surprised by their decision and I've been left confused and struggling to make sense of everything that's happened.

"Vanessa and I are still skating partners and I'm devastated that we won't be skating together on the show anymore.

"Thank you for all of your love and support during my time on the show. I'm going to miss skating for you."

Hamish has been left devastated by the decision (ITV)

Hamish has been dropped along with fellow pros Yebin Mok and Klabera Komini, with Team GB figure skater Morgan Swales, three-time Hong Kong champion Tippy Packard and former Team USA skater Colin Grafton coming in.

They will join Matt Evers, Alexandra Schauman and husband Lukasz Rozycki, Andy Buchanan and his wife Robin Johnstone, Mark Hanretty, Brendyn Hatfield, Karina Manta, Joe Johnson, Angela Egan and of course Vanessa.

Vanessa showed her support for her pal by insisting he's been like a brother to her over the years and vowed to continue skating with him outside of the show.

She wrote: "One thing – @hamishgaman has been a brother to me throughout all the years and I'm gonna miss him so much... But [don't worry] we will keep skating together."

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