A DANCING On Ice star has dropped out of the 2024 series days before the show’s launch.
A show legend has stepped in as an emergency replacement for the injured star.
The change was quietly made months after the line-up was first announced back in October and the celebrities were paired up with their professional partners.
But the swap was revealed this week as the celeb and skaters teamed up for their first set of promo photos ahead of Sunday’s debut.
The snaps revealed professional skater Tippy Packard, who joined in 2022, has been forced to pull out of the main line-up and been replaced by Vicky Ogden, who will now skate with Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards in the live shows.
A TV insider told The Sun: “Everyone is gutted for Tippy. She suffered an injury in training but we’re all hopeful that she’ll be back on the show soon.”
Vicky announced the news that she will be skating with Olympic ski sensation in a post on Instagram.
She shared a photo of them paired up on the ice, and penned: “Exciting Announcement!
“I’m absolutely thrilled to share that I’ll be skating with the incredible Eddie on this season of @dancingonice.
“Eddie The Eagle is a true legend who has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. This year we’re determined to show just how iconic he is.
“Together, let’s recreate the magic and cheer Eddie on like we did all those years ago.
“Are you ready? 5,6,78 Let’s do this, Eddie!”
Fans of the show shared their concerns for American-born Tippy, with one writing: “Good luck! I thought she got partnered with Eddie the eagle hope she’s ok xx?”
Another said: “Is Tippy ok?”
Tippy is a three-time Hong Kong National Champion and Worlds Competitor, and last year she skated with comedian Darren Harriott in DOI.
Meanwhile, Eddie, 59, is a last minute signing after Gogglebox favourite Stephen Lustig-Webb crashed out with a broken ankle.
But Eddie – real name Michael Edwards – is bound to be a little steadier on his feet.
A TV source said: “Eddie is a brilliant signing for Dancing on Ice, he’s known to all and is remembered so fondly as Britain’s ski jump pioneer.
“It’s fair to say he’s probably more at home on the ice than others but he’s now nudging sixty, so who knows , he could be more feeble than Eagle.”
Eddie’s incredible story brought him a whole new generation of fans when Taron Egerton played him in a 2016 biographical film.
The upcoming series will see former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton, Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney, singer Hannah Spearritt, West End star Amber Davies and Olympian Greg Rutherford compete against each other.
TV personality Miles Nazaire, comedian and writer Lou Sanders, actor Ricky Norwood, radio presenter Adele Roberts, actor Ryan Thomas and Emmerdale‘s Roxy Shahidi will also compete.
