The race is on to find a replacement for Dancing on Ice judge John Barrowman, who was axed by ITV bosses.
The 54-year-old TV personality has served as a judge on the hit celebrity skating show since 2019, but on Monday, it was announced he would no longer be on the judging panel alongside Ashley Banjo, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, and was stepping down.
A spokesperson for ITV said in a statement: “We thank John Barrowman for two brilliant years on the Dancing On Ice panel.
“[We] are pleased to be working with him again as host of the forthcoming All Star Musicals specials."
His departure means there’s now a coveted spot up for grabs on the Dancing on Ice judging panel, and speculation is rife as to who will replace him.
The frontrunners include the likes of Celebrity Juice host Leigh Francis, beloved TV presenter Alison Hammond, and former Radio 1 stunner Maya Jama.
Here are the odds-on favourites in the running for the Dancing on Ice judging role...
Keith Lemon aka Leigh Francis - 9/2
Leigh Francis already hosts ITV2's Celebrity Juice as his alter-ego Keith Lemon, and the former Bo Selecta funnyman recently starred in the bizarre E4 mockumentary The olden Girls: Mandy & Myrtle, where he played Amanda Holden's nan.
James Jordan - 4/1
Former DOI winner James Jordan is the favourite for the job.
The professional dancer appeared on the hit BBC One show Strictly Come Dancing from 2006 to 2013, alongside wife Ola Jordan.
It was announced in 2014 that James, who regularly clashed with the judges, was departing the show, but despite quitting the hugely successful Saturday night show, his career went from strength to strength.
James finished third when he took part in Celebrity Big Brother back in 2014, and appeared again on the all-star version of the reality show in 2017, but was voted out after two weeks.
"James Jordan ticks all the boxes to replace John Barrowman on the Dancing on Ice Panel and it looks like we could see him back on our TV screens this winter,” a Ladbrokes insider revealed.
Ray Quinn - 5/1
Another former Dancing on Ice winner, Ray scooped the crown back in 2009, and won the all-stars version of the ice-skating competition in 2014.
The stage and TV star, who shot to fame as Anthony Murray in Channel 4 soap Brookside, also finished in second place on The X Factor in 2006, behind singing superstar Leona Lewis.
Alison Hammond 5/1
The much-loved TV presenter would be a great fit on the judging panel, and despite not appearing on the skating show, Alison does have experience of competing under pressure.
She competed in the third series of Big Brother back in 2002, and went on to take part in I'm a Celeb in 2010, as well as Celebrity MasterChef and Strictly Come Dancing, where she finished in 10th place.
Others in the running:
Maya Jama 11/2
Emma Bunton 6/1
Hannah Waddingham 7/1
Hayley Tammadon 8/1
Beth Tweddle 10/1
Sam Attwater - 12/1
Michael Ball - 12/1
Dermot O’Leary - 14/1
Jason Gardiner - 25/1
Simon Cowell - 50/1
Todd Carty - 100/1
