Dancing on Ice 2025 final LIVE: Sam Aston wins over Michaela Strachan & Anton Ferdinand – but fans are fuming
VIEWERS have crowned Sam Aston this year's Dancing on Ice 2025 champion - but fans are calling it a 'fix' and that Michaela Strachan was 'robbed'.
Presenter Michaela narrowly missed out on the trophy to Sam after leaving Anton Ferdinand in third place.
Corrie's Sam Aston emerged the skating winner after impressing the judging panel's Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean and Diversity's Ashley Banjo as well as viewers at home.
But fuming fans have accused the ITV1 show of being 'sexist' and 'ageist' - noting a female celebrity has not won the show since 2013.
Follow our live blog below...
A heavy-hearted farewell from Holly
Host Holly Willoughby kept fans in suspense as she signed off 2025's Dancing on Ice finale.
The presenter looked set to reveal the ITV show's future at the end of series 17, moments after Sam Aston was crowned champion.
However, she merely dropped a clue that its return is still up in the air.
"That is it for this series," Holly told viewers at the end of Sunday night's final.
"We'll see you next time, bye."
Her comments caused divided opinions between fans.
One fan said: "Holly just said, 'We'll see you next time'. Optimistic."
Another added: "Holly said, 'See you next time' so I guess it will be back next year."
One fan predicted: "'We will see you next time'... Holly has just said at the end, could mean #DancingOnIce returns next year."
After this year's low ratings, speculation is rife this could be the last year of the skating extravaganza.
Is this the end for DOI?
It's now feared Dancing on Ice faces the axe - as pro skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean announced their retirement.
The Olympic champions will soon hang up their blades after 50 years of incredible performances when they take to the road for a UK arena tour titled Our Last Dance.
The show skated onto our screens in 2006, but ended after its ninth run in 2014. It returned four years later.
Fans were left absolutely furious as they slammed the final format as a 'farce'
Viewers were not happy after the Dancing On Ice judges gave all three couples a perfect score.
It seems all the contestants impressed the judging panel made of Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse.
In the first round, all three skaters danced with a large group of the other professionals in a showcase for the ages that was choreographed by Torvill and Dean.
They gave all three couples a perfect score of 40 for each of their respective ice dancing routines.
Many fans took to social media as they claimed that Corrie personality Sam did not deserve the full marks for his performance.
An emotional farewell to the ice icons
Torvill and Dean skated for the last time on Dancing On Ice.
The duo have been part of the judging panel for all 17 series which glided off in 2006.
Holly told viewers: “It will get emotional as our very own skating legends Torvill and Dean will take to the rink for their very last ever TV performance in history."
Stephen exclaimed: “Can you believe that?"
Holly admitted the spine-tingling news had hit a nerve. She said: "That set me off just now."
The British, European, World and Olympic champions have been wowing on ice for 50 years.
One fan posted on social media: “It's the end of an era for Torvill and Dean. I'm crying.”
Another penned: “Jayne and Chris skating to one of my favourite songs from the Lighthouse family.”
A third agreed: “How emotional was that last ever dance from Torvill and Dean?”
And that's a wrap for DOI 2025!
It's all over for another year! Soap star Sam Aston was named the Dancing On Ice champion.
The Coronation Street star, 31, battled it out against former West Ham United footballer Anton Ferdinand, 40, who was placed third, and Springwatch host Michaela Strachan who missed out on the accolade.
Sam's win means he beat the presenter from becoming the first female winner in over 12 years since Beth Tweddle’s victory in 2013.
2025 winner Sam took a cheeky swipe at Dancing on Ice judge Christopher Dean in tonight's emotional final show.
In a touching VT, Sam reflected on his journey and said: "I remember being so nervous and it was funny because of this whole thing of doing this journey as Sam not Chesney.
"I stepped on the ice and the first thing that came out of Chris' mouth was 'alright Chesney'."
Stephen had a spectacular turn of his own on the ice - accompanied by a harem of lookalikes - while being pushed around on a giant white boot.
Co-host Holly Willoughby looked sensational in a floor-length white gown - while she has QUIT her presenting role on another ITV show alongside her pal Stephen after just one series.
It was goodbye to icons Jayne and Chris who are skating off into the sunset on their new tour.
They’ll be hugely missed from the show - so will their exit mean the end of Dancing On Ice forever?
Viewers are mocking the previous 'diverse' DOI winners
Angry fans are raging that Michaela didn't win - and that the show hasn't celebrated a female champion in 12 years.
One user poked: "I'm so glad Dancing on Ice has had such a diverse and unique set of winners since the reboot."
A second frustrated fan wrote: "Michaela should have won that hands down, just speechless."
"Called this result weeks ago. Always a white male. Even more likely if they’re a regular on Corrie. Nothing to do with the skating. Michaela absolutely deserved to win and it would have been a fitting end for Mark, who has been an amazing pro and an all-round gent," typed another.
Fans call the soap star's win a 'fix'
Viewers have taken to social media to vent how Michaela was 'ROBBED' of the trophy.
One fan wrote: "Another year of Dancing On Ice being incredibly sexist. No female winner since 2013 and a winner who didn't do a single lift… hope that's the end of Dancing on Ice… shocking!"
A second agreed: "The show always votes for a man to win."
A third echoed: "What a fix."
A fourth penned: "So disappointed in the result. Seeing the winning duo grinning throughout their Bolero was just wrong. Everyone knows it is an intensely emotional story which Michaela and Mark captured perfectly & beautifully. So tired of yet another soap winner."
AND THE WINNERS ARE...
Sam and Molly!
We're in shock. Are you?
Congrats to the both of them! The soap star is a worthy winner.
But was the right person crowned champion?
The votes are IN!
It's time for the final montages and heartfelt chats with the two TV stars.
It's a close call. And it's too late to do anything now! So we hope you voted for your winner.
'Let's live life' as Michaela said.
Torvill and Dean - 50 years of the icons
Their final performance is a showstopper to Lifted by the Lighthouse Family.
We're not sure about the song choice - but, oh wow, they can still thaw the most frozen of hearts.
Everyone's on their feet/ice boots.
Michaela's making TV memories
We've got goosebumps galore.
There's been a LONG wait for a female winner. Is it time for this TV legend to grab the gong?
Graceful and elegant, her performance has stunned the audience and judges.
Or is it Sam's time to shine?
It's Bolero time
You can't help but get all the feels when this iconic song comes on - especially because it's Jayne and Chris' final performance later.
Sam has smashed it. Controlled and cool. He's lost for words.
Is he your favourite?
And the final two are...
It's Michaela and Sam! They're one step closer to the trophy.
But it's the end of the line for emotional Anton.
He's bowing out with grace, dignity - and a few more leg muscles he never knew he had.
Well done, Anton! We all believe in you.
Let Stephen Entertain us
He's flying round the ice on a GIANT skate - surrounded by Stephen lookalikes - to Robbie W's iconic song.
What just happened? Did we just imagine all that?
The votes are frozen!
We'll soon be finding out who's come in third place.
The trophy is in spitting distance. Who's it going to be?
Jayne and Chris are skating off into the sunset tonight
The end of a skating era. The iconic pair are off on tour and leaving the show.
But - they'll be back on the ice for one last dance later.
We're not crying! You are. (We are).
Heavenly Holly
The blonde bombshell looks angelic in a bejewelled white gown.
It's a winning combination of curls and curves for our Holly in tonight's final.
The Ice queen cometh.
Don't rain on Michaela's parade
We're all aboard the Michaela express.
In honour of this weekend's International Women's Day - could Michaela be flying the flag for females tonight?
This feels like a winning performance as she skates to the iconic Funny Girl song.
And the presenter has bagged a full set of 10s!
The class of 2025 are in the building
The gang are back together. But Ferne McCann's in the wars.
She's injured from a brutal, danger-dodging... children's party. Doh!
We hope the cake was worth it.
Mighty Michaela
If she wins, the wildlife presenter will be the first female to be crowned champion since 2013.
She told fans on social media: “It’s the final! So excited. Doing a big showbiz number Don’t Rain On My Parade with 7 pro skaters. Such fun. I even have a train called The Flying Strachan!
“Then 2/3 finalists get voted by public to do the Bolero. Then another vote to decide the winner.
“So it totally relies on the public vote. So please support me and @markhanretty.”
Cheering on 'Chesney'
The soap star has blossomed since the first show and left the audience tickled pink.
It's another full house from the judges for 'Sam the skater man'.
So smooth, says Oti.
Hugs On Ice
Emotions are high. Did Jayne have a tear in her eye? There's hugging all round.
Anton's proved how you can polish a diamond in the rough - and turn it into a pro-worthy skater.
Everyone's proud of him. But the judges' scores are just a guide - so will you be voting for the former footballer?
Let's go crazy!
Anton has opened the show with a bang.
And it's 10s all round. A full house! 40/40.
Could it be his night?
IT'S TIME
Are we all sitting comfortably? I know I am!
Good luck to all three pairings tonight!
Who will take the crown?
Half an hour to go
We are just hours away from finding out who will be crowned the winner of this year's Dancing on Ice.
So grab your popcorn and hunker down for what is sure to be an unforgettable night!