Dancing On Ice fans claim they’ve already picked their winner as star is branded ‘absolutely brilliant’ for week one skate by show judges

Dancing On Ice viewers have already branded Ryan Thomas their winner after he impressed them with his first performance of the series on Sunday. 

Former Coronation Street actor Ryan, 39, and his professional skating partner Amani Fancy, 26, topped the leaderboard with 26.5 points from the judges.

Ryan did a pirouette move as he delivered an energetic performance to Kings of Leon’s Sex On Fire.

Judge Oti Mabuse said: ‘I did not expect that, (it) was absolutely brilliant.’

And it seems viewers at home were just as impressed, with many taking to social media to predict he would be crowned this year’s champion.

One person wrote on Twitter: ‘Yes Ryan! My winner already,’ while someone else shared: ‘Winner!!!! That was brilliant Ryan.’

Someone else posted: ‘Ryan and Amani were absolutely brilliant and this was an amazing first routine on the ice for this partnership. It’s only week one but think I have found my #dancingonice winners… and loved seeing the rest of the Thomas family in the audience to support Ryan.’

Another fan wrote: ‘Ryan is gonna be the winner I think,’ while someone else posted: ‘Ryan favourite to win #DancingOnIce after that.’

‘Ryan deserves to win already and we’ve only seen 6/12… he can only get better from here,’ wrote someone else.

While someone else asked: ‘Is it too early for me to call it now that I want Ryan to win?’

‘Oh Wow Ryan, I wasn’t expecting that !!!! Well done Fella,’ praised someone else.

While referencing 2009 winner Ray Quinn, another viewer posted: ‘Ryan Thomas… wow wow wow week one.. anyone seeing Ray Quinn.. amazing.’

One other show fan simply wrote: ‘Ryan is amazing!’

It comes after Ryan gave fans a glimpse at his preparations for the opening episode of Dancing On Ice on Sunday as he stripped down to his underwear.

The former Celebrity Big Brother housemate showed off his ripped physique as he had a spray tan done ahead of the show.

Posting a picture on his Instagram Stories, he wrote: ‘Best thing about @dancingonice.’

Elsewhere, Dancing On Ice viewers branded Ricky Hatton ‘the new Todd Carty’ as the retired boxer took to the rink during the series opener on Sunday.

Dressed in a boxing outfit, Ricky wore knee pads as he referenced moves from his sport on the ice and did press-ups to Rocky movie theme tune Gonna Fly Now by Bill Conti with his skating partner Robin Johnstone.

Former world champion boxer Ricky, 45, received a total score of 12.5 points out of a possible 40 from the judges.

Judge Ashley Banjo said his performance was ‘iconic’ and said he could be proud of the audience’s reaction.

However, Ricky’s routine left fans of the show at home in hysterics as they compared him to former EastEnders star Todd Carty, who competed on the show in 2009 and became known for his extensive mishaps – including the time he hurtled off the rink and straight out of the studio as he fought to stop himself falling to the ground.

Taking to Twitter, one person wrote: ‘It’s taken a fair few years… But Todd Carty has a challenger for the worst ever on Dancing On Ice. Ahahaha Ricky Hatton man.’

‘Ricky is the new Todd Carty,’ wrote someone else, while another viewer insisted: ‘Ricky is definitely this years Todd Carty.’

Someone else joked: ‘Ricky Hatton makes Todd Carty look like a professional.’

While another viewer asked: ‘Is anyone getting Todd Carty vibes from this?’

Someone else posted: ‘Well Ricky Hatton didn’t fall over… That’s about the only good thing I can say about his performance unfortunately.’

‘Ricky Hatton… Bless him. All he can do is the knee slide & press ups. 12.5 out of 40,’ wrote another viewer.

While someone else remarked: ‘Ricky Hatton on #DancingOnIce good grief. That was painful.’

Another person wrote: ‘Ricky Hatton & Robin That was as dreadful as I imagined. Painful to watch, please throw in the towel. So little skating.’

And another viewer joked: ‘Going to vote for Ricky Hatton just to mess it up.’

Todd, who viewers compared Ricky to, lost his balance and found himself flying down the tunnel during his performance back in 2009.

Skating alongside his partner Susie Lipanova, suddenly the former EastEnders actor lost his balance and flew down the tunnel and off stage, while Susie completed the routine alone.

Judge Jason Gardiner said at the time: ‘Todd you’re like a derailed locomotion.’

Jason quipped: ‘I fear you’re going to leave this competition in a body bag, mate.’ 

Ricky and his professional partner Robin are facing the first skate-off in next week’s Dancing On Ice.

He received 12.5 points from judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse, leaving them placed at bottom of the leaderboard. 

Hannah Spearritt took to the ice with her professional partner Andy Buchanan, performing to Break Free by Ariane Grande.

The former S Club 7 star was given a total of 19.5 out of a possible 40 points by the judges.

Judge Jaye Torvill said: ‘Well done for doing such difficult lifts.’

She added: ‘We need to see more of the basic skating. It is improving but you could do more.’

Hannah became emotional as she talked about her ‘treasured’ time as a singer in S Club 7 but said she’d had an extremely tough year following the death of her former bandmate Paul Cattermole.

Ahead of her performance, Hannah said: ‘Me and Paul grew up together and he was part of the band.

‘When Paul died it was hard. It’s been a challenging year. Things will never be the same again.’

Love Island winner and West End star Amber Davies received praise for a ‘beautiful’ performance as the show returned on Sunday.

Canadian skater Simon Senecal lifted Amber up in the air into a box split as they performed to Hold On To Now by Kylie Minogue on Sunday’s launch show on ITV1.

The pair received a score of 25 points from the judges.

Judge Jayne Torvill said: ‘I loved all the beautiful positions, I think that is the best spiral I’ve seen on the ice in a long time.’

Meanwhile, Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi was lifted into a helicopter move and was praised by judge Oti for a ‘beautiful sultry performance’ to You Don’t Own Me by Say Grace with French ice dancer Sylvain Longchambon.

The audience booed as Roxy and Sylvain were awarded a total of 20 points by the judges.

Olympian Greg Rutherford was seen jumping across the rink as he skated to Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now along with professional Vanessa James.

Judge Christopher Dean said his high jump was ‘amazing’ and praised his lift of James as he was scored a total of 24.5 points.

The return of Dancing On Ice also saw the comeback of Holly Willoughby to TV screens following her departure from This Morning in October after 14 years on the sofa.

The presenter, 42, has been hosting the ITV skating show since 2006 and is now co-hosting with Stephen Mulhern.

Holly worked decades ago with Mulhern on ITV Saturday morning children’s show Ministry Of Mayhem.

Stephen, 46, hosted Dancing On Ice briefly in 2022 after former host Phillip Schofield tested positive for Covid-19.

On Sunday, the series kicked off with an opening performance from the professional skaters and the introduction of the new celebrity contestants.

Holly, who wore a silver sparkly dress, said: ‘To the greatest show on ice, and let’s hear it for the amazing cast of 2024. Let me just say a huge welcome to Stephen Mulhern.’

Dancing On Ice continued on Sunday 21 January at 6.30pm o ITV1 and ITVX.