DOI hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield scramble as one celeb is late to the rink

Dancing on Ice hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were left scrambling during Sunday’s live final. 

As they prepared to welcome back the already eliminated stars, one skater wasn’t quite ready forcing the duo to fill the gap.

Holly, 42, giggled as she and Philip, 60, joked that someone ‘hadn’t laced up their boots’.

The awkward incident began with Phillip telling the audience: ‘This year’s couples have all played a huge part so please welcome back our 2023 skating stars and their partners.’

Next the camera turned to an empty ice rink only to cut back to the confused hosts seconds later.

Awkward: Dancing on Ice hosts Holly Willoughby, 42, and Phillip Schofield, 60, were left scrambling during Sunday’s live final

Tricky situation: As they prepared to welcome back the already eliminated stars, one skater wasn't quite ready forcing the duo to fill the gap

Tricky situation: As they prepared to welcome back the already eliminated stars, one skater wasn’t quite ready forcing the duo to fill the gap

Ever the professional Phillip then said: ‘They’ll be here in just a second. Apparently somebody is not ready.’

While Holly, touching her earpiece for an update,  joked: ‘Has somebody got nerves? Can we shame someone for this, can we name them? Oh we’ve got them now.’

After a moments and the This Morning pair giggling like naughty schoolchildren the celebs finally appeared with Phillip declaring: ‘All things are worth waiting for.’

Earlier in the episode viewers rushed to Twitter as they slammed the show’s ‘unfair’ voting rules.

Tensions heated up in the skating competition as Joey Essex skated with partner Vanessa Bauer, while Nile Wilson danced with Olivia Smart and The Vivienne skated with Colin Grafton. 

But racing to Twitter viewers were quick to brand the show just a ‘popularity contest’ after lines opened before any of the finalists had even skated. 

One frustrated fan wrote: ‘How can people be asked to vote (at a cost) when nobody has skated yet?’.

While another added: ‘The skating is pointless if you can vote already. Its just a popularity contest’.  

LOL: Holly, 42, giggled as she and Philip, 60, joked that someone 'hadn't laced up their boots'

LOL: Holly, 42, giggled as she and Philip, 60, joked that someone ‘hadn’t laced up their boots’

Finally! After a moments and the This Morning pair giggling like naughty schoolchildren the celebs finally appeared with Phillip declaring: 'All things are worth waiting for' (Patsy Palmer and Matt Evers pictured)

Finally! After a moments and the This Morning pair giggling like naughty schoolchildren the celebs finally appeared with Phillip declaring: ‘All things are worth waiting for’ (Patsy Palmer and Matt Evers pictured) 

Back again: Ekin-Su Culculoglu also returned to the ice alongside professional parter Brendyn Hatfield

Back again: Ekin-Su Culculoglu also returned to the ice alongside professional parter Brendyn Hatfield 

A third said:’Why is the #DancingOnIce vote open before the contestants have even started? Are they not even pretending they want a fair competition rather than a popularity contest?’.

While another added: ‘DancingOnIce what is the point of anyone skating if we can vote before they skate? Just goes to show it’s a popularity contest not a skating contest’. 

The final saw Nile Wilson crowned the winner of Dancing On Ice 2023, beating out Joey Essex and The Vivienne in the grand final.

The Olympian broke down in tears as he joined his professional partner Olivia Smart lifting the glittering trophy, after wowing viewers with his jaw-dropping version of the iconic Bolero skate.

Winner! The final saw Nile Wilson crowned the winner of Dancing On Ice 2023, beating out Joey Essex and The Vivienne in the grand final

Winner! The final saw Nile Wilson crowned the winner of Dancing On Ice 2023, beating out Joey Essex and The Vivienne in the grand final

Well deserved: The Olympian broke down in tears as he joined his professional partner Olivia Smart lifting the glittering trophy, after wowing viewers with his jaw-dropping version of the iconic Bolero skate

Well deserved: The Olympian broke down in tears as he joined his professional partner Olivia Smart lifting the glittering trophy, after wowing viewers with his jaw-dropping version of the iconic Bolero skate

Getting emotional, Nile said: ‘I just want to say, 11 human beings proved we could do anything if you put your mind to something and work hard, you can achieve anything.’

Runner-up Joey added: ‘I missed a few steps but it was the best time of my life, well done to Nile and Olivia’ 

The Vivienne and Colin came in third place during the final – leaving Nile and Joey skating the iconic Bolero.

Nile was up first with an elegant performance and said at the end: ‘I can’t believe I got emotional’.

Joey then took to the ice and gave an emotional performance, with judge Chris saying: ‘You have come so far’ but pointed out a few missteps.

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