Dancing On Ice confirms Jason Gardiner’s replacement as John Barrowman
John Barrowman vowed to bring something "fresh, fun and fab-u-lous" to Dancing On Ice as he confirmed he is set to be a judge on the show.
The actor is taking the seat left vacant by Jason Gardiner, who recently announced that he was leaving the ITV programme.
Barrowman, who competed on the ice-skating show in 2006, said: "I am so excited to be returning to the Dancing On Ice family.
![Dancing on Ice star James Jordan has had a busy time since leaving Strictly Come Dancing in 2013. The professional dancer has gone on to make a number of appearances in other popular TV shows, most recently in Dancing on Ice. The celebrity has been partnered with professional skater Alexandra Schauman. James is proving his skating abilities are just as good as his dance skills, and while there has been debate whether he has an unfair advantage as a result of his profession, his legion of fans are rooting for him to win the ITV show. When he isn’t working, the dancer enjoys nothing more than spending time with his wife and former Strictly star, Ola Jordan, and the pair recently welcomed HELLO! into their home for an exclusive interview.James Jordan is a contestant on the 2019 series of Dancing on Ice James Jordan on Dancing on IceJames is favourite to win Dancing on Ice this year, and has had the support of his former Strictly stars and wife Ola, who have cheered on from the audience during his performances. Just after it was announced that James would be going on the show, he opened up about the assumption that he would be good at skating because of his dancing background. "People are going to probably say I've got an unfair advantage but when I got on the ice, I actually shocked myself how bad I was," he revealed on BBC Radio 5 Live. While the former Strictly pro is a popular contestant, the star admitted that he was having trouble skating due to his arthritis, which was spurred on by a fall on the ice. Writing in his Best magazine column, he said: "I fell practising a jump the other day and landed on my hip. Given I have arthritis there, it wasn't ideal. It hurt - a lot." However James still took part and made it through to the next week.MORE: Ola and James Jordan open up about their two year struggle to start a familyJames with his wife Ola Jordan James Jordan on Celebrity Big BrotherJames has appeared twice in the Celebrity Big Brother house, first in 2014, where he came out in third place. The star then went back in 2017 for the all-star series. The professional dancer spoke out about his time on CBB recently after hearing that the show had come to an end. He told Digital Spy: "[I'm] gutted, actually. Because everybody knows it started as a social experiment, I just think the whole psychology side of it really interests me, watching how people react under the pressure. I always enjoyed watching in particular the celebrity one, people that you think you know, and then you watch them on TV and then you see them in a different situation and how they cope with it. I'm gutted, but I'm hoping another channel takes it over. I was fortunate enough to do it twice, so for me I really like the show." James Jordan's other TV appearancesThe 40-year-old has been on a number of programmes throughout his career, including Celebrity Coach Trip, which he appeared on alongside Ola, and Through the Keyhole. The couple also took part in a celebrity version of Total Wipeout in 2009 while they were still on Strictly.READ: James and Ola Jordan announce devastating news James Jordan's personal lifeIn February, James and Ola gave a joint exclusive interview to HELLO! about their hopes to have a baby in the future. The couple – who have been married for more than 15 years – have been trying to conceive for two years but with no success. "I would love to be a mum with all my heart and I just thought it would happen naturally," said Ola, 36. "James is also desperate to have babies and I just wish it could have happened by now. That’s the one gift I would love to give him. I guess I just thought, like most women, that I could choose when the time was right for me; that I could have my career and then have a baby when it felt right. But for us it just hasn’t happened like that." The couple then revealed their plans to start IVF. "The irony is that for 17 years during our career we tried not to have children because dancing is not a career that easily fits in with family life," James said. "When we finally did try, it was a sting to realise we couldn’t conceive straight away. After consultations we’ve realised we are one of the lucky ones and that, with help, hopefully one day we can realise our baby dreams."Like this story? Sign up to our newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ISh1nH1vAxjwJ6r1mbb7.g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTEwNTc-/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/QfzrGwgkCVDGQXEbqu_.Ow--~B/aD03MDA7dz00Njc7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://s.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/752/817/2/S7528172/slug/l/dancing-on-ice-and-39-s-james-jordan-life-after-strictly-com-1.jpg)
![The sunshine came out over the weekend, and Holly Willoughby made the most of it by treating her children to a fun day outdoors. The mum-of-three shared a photo of herself playing with oldest son Harry, under the clear blue sky. In the picture, Holly played aeroplanes with the nine-year-old, as she held him up with her feet and hands. The photo, which she posted on Sunday afternoon, showed a glimpse of little Harry's smile as he laughed around with his mum. Holly is usually very protective of her children's privacy, and never shows their faces in social media posts, so to catch a peek at Chester's adorable smile is pretty rare.READ: Royal family release online parenting guide - detailsHolly was dressed in her trusty Grenson boots for the outing, which she wore throughout her time presenting I'm a Celebrity. She paired them with a pair of ankle-grazer denim jeans - perfect for the impending springtime!READ: Duchess Meghan's tough school experience helps her next campaignFans were delighted with the sweet post, which she captioned with a simple love heart emoji.One fan wrote: "Flying high, love this Holly!" while another added: "My girls love me doing this [laughing emoji]." A third said: "I was just playing aeroplanes with my wee sister a minute ago." And one follower joked: "Put Phillip [Schofield] down Holly."WATCH: Holly Willpughby's high street styleLoading the player...Holly had been ill earlier in the week, and had to take off from her presenting duties on This Morning. Rochelle Humes had to stand in for her on Wednesday and Thursday. But Holly will hopefully be back to her usual self after getting some fresh air over the weekend, as she is due to host Sunday evening's Dancing on Ice with Phillip Schofield.Like this story? Sign up to our newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Q_Muk8.juANZN9RK4rFztw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU3Ng--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/kcKMBSdkPzuhfZ4jjtg8vg--~B/aD03MjA7dz0xMjAwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://s.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/752/818/1/S7528181/slug/l/holly-willoughby-shares-rare-snap-of-son-harry-smiling-1.jpg)
"Unlike most I have been through the rigorous task of skating live as a contestant in the first series.
"This is a thrilling adventure for me and I hope to bring a fresh, fun and fab-u-lous angle to the judging panel."
The rumors are flying. But this video will put them all to rest. I am so excited to announce I will be on the 2020 judging panel on Dancing On Ice!! #fabulous (watch Video) @dancingonice@hollywilloughby@schofe @torvillanddeanofficial @ashleybanjogram@themattevers@itvpic.twitter.com/egpgcdtkzl
— John Barrowman MBE (@JohnBarrowman) September 1, 2019
Barrowman, 52, will be taking a seat alongside Jayne Torvill, Christoper Dean and Ashley Banjo for the 2020 series.
Katie Rawcliffe, head of entertainment commissioning at ITV, said: "John's quick wit, inimitable talent and all round fabulous personality make him the perfect addition to Dancing On Ice's all star panel and we're looking forward to seeing him bring his own brand of sparkle to the show."
Gardiner announced last month that he was not returning.
The sharp-tongued judge, who had been on the panel for all but one of the series, said in a video shared to Instagram: "After all these years I feel it's time for me to say goodbye to my judging role and instead I would like to return to things I have kind of put on the back burner for a while."
Gardiner, who fell out with contestant Gemma Collins during the 2019 show, continued: "To all of my DOI fans I really thank you for your support and encouragement over the years.
"I know we've gone through some controversies and I really am so grateful that you got my unique judging style and honestly.
"It's because of you I never cowered or shied away from serving up the truth."
Addressing Torvill and Dean and the hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, he said: "Holly, Phil, Jane and Chris we created something that we can be very proud of after the ice has finally thawed.
"We've had a lot of laughs over the years a lot of trials and tribulations and I have absolutely loved working with all of you."
Dancing On Ice originally ran from 2006 until 2014, and made a comeback in 2018.
Gardiner was not on the panel in 2012, but other than that was a judge on every series.
