Tributes have been paid to professional skater Sean Rice who has died aged 49, it has been reported.
Canadian pair skater Sean, who appeared on Dancing On Ice in 2011 and 2012, passed away on January 14 according to heartbroken friends.
Fellow former Dancing On Ice star Frankie Seaman, a close friend of Sean, shared the sad news on social media, reports the Mirror.
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Frankie wrote: "Pro skaters are heartbroken today, we lost a true larger than life great of our sport - an epic skater, a loving and devoted husband, father, and my silly, tiny friend of 20yrs - Sean Rice, 20/07/72 - 14/01/22 gone too soon but we will Love You For A Thousand Years."
She added: "All our thoughts are with his 8 year old daughter Signey & his beautiful widow and skating partner for life, Jodeyne."
Frankie shared a link to a fundraising page set up to support his family.
"For anyone that would like to help Jodeyne and Signey in these, their darkest of times please find the link to the justgivingpage below," she wrote.
A spokesperson for Dancing On Ice said: "We are all deeply saddened to hear this news. Sean was a wonderful skater and friend to many on the Dancing On Ice team.
"Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time."
Sean skated on the ITV skating contest with former newsreader Angela Rippon in 2011 and with Alpine ski racer Chemmy Alcott the year after.
Chemmy also paid tribute to Sean with a sweet message on Twitter: "Have just heard the tragic news that Sean Rice, my partner from DOI, has passed away.
"The world will miss your amazing energy and your healing hands.
"All my love to J and S."
