Does "Dancing on Ice" Have a Sexism Problem?

Image Source: ITV

As Coronation Street's Ryan Thomas lifted the "Dancing On Ice" trophy last night, I couldn't help but feel slightly underwhelmed. In fact, as soon as Radio presenter Adele Roberts was axed, narrowly missing out on the final two, I started to disengage from the show entirely. "Great, another all male final skate to 'Bolero'," I muttered to myself. But it feels like a lack of female representation in the final is a pattern for Dancing On Ice - and fans have called it out X (formerly Twitter.)

One viewer wrote: "The fact that they've added an an extra finalist and we've still only got one women there. Since the relaunch we've never had two women in the same final and only two women out of six have made it to the top two." Another wrote, "I think 'Dancing On Ice' needs to mix the show or the routines up a bit. I feel like the routines for the men always are more complex and show off their greatest strengths but [it's] not the same for the women."

A woman hasn't won #DancingOnIce in 11 years and only 5/18 since have made the final. This year for the first time, ITV announced 4 finalists instead of 3… and the last 2 females just had to skate off, so would've both been gone had they not changed the rules. The show is flawed pic.twitter.com/2MvRrhN8zS

— sᴜᴘᴇʀ ᴛᴠ (@superTV247) March 3, 2024

Here's a fact for you: It's been a shocking 11 years since a woman lifted the trophy on "Dancing On Ice." In 2013, Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle took the crown and we haven't seen another female winner since. The erasure of women in the final feels like pattern — does "Dancing on Ice" have a sexism problem?

But if it does have a sexism problem, where does it lie? The show is voted for by the public — the judges' comments only go so far and the audience are the real deciding factor. One viewer wrote: "I love Dancing On Ice but I hate the negativity women get doing the show. The public think 'Oh they're getting lifted around - they obviously can't skate well' - but they happen to forget that doing complicated lifts in the air still isn't easy."

Another agreed writing: "The 'Dancing On Ice' viewers definitely have something against women. Barely any make it to the final - always men. Adele was the best skater out of three and still finished 3rd." "All three men through the final and two women who topped the leaderboard in the bottom 2? Sums up Dancing On Ice Viewers," wrote another.

Image Source: ITV

Recently, "Love Island" star Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu spoke out about the sexist backlash she received from some of the "Dancing On Ice" audience." Last year, after wearing a 'skimpy' sheer costume on the ice during a routine to Britney Spears' "Toxic", Cülcüloglu sparked 112 Ofcom complaints - and she was on the receiving end of a wave of hatred and abuse. During a recent episode of "Celebrity Big Brother," the reality star opened up about the "pressures women face" for having to look a certain way and she recalled the controversial moment on the competition show.

She said: "There's a pressure for women especially. When I did 'Dancing On Ice', perfect example right, I got criticised for an outfit I was wearing on the first week. Because it looked like it was see-through on some parts, but it was a unitard. But then when I dressed as a nun from the 'Sound Of Music' I got through. And I thought, 'Okay I get it now'."

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Last weekend performers from "Magic Mike Live" came to do a special guest performance on the ice. If you know the film "Magic Mike," the live version is a similarly racy rendition of the film — and the men came out shirtless to perform the sultry routine on the ice. It's interesting that not a single Ofcom complaint was put through for the group of half-naked men, yet Cülcüloglu had to face so much hatred for much less. It just boils down to the the misogyny and sexism that is prevalent in society and sometimes it takes people's reactions to a TV show to spotlight the unfair parallels.

Interesting no complaints about Magic Mike. But when Ekin Su danced semi dressed #Dancingonice pic.twitter.com/VGuCARqtw5

— Uzoamaka🙌🏿💡💃🏾🌞💕🙏🏿 (@TashAmaka) February 25, 2024

Does it come down to a wider issue of sexism within the sport? Many people have highlighted that the public think being lifted like "Love Island's" Amber Davies is 'easy.' Whereas men like "Made In Chelsea's" Miles Nazaire are obviously skating around the ice with more 'confidence'. I think it's pretty impressive and takes a lot of confidence to be swung around on the ice or to hurtle through the air at top speed - but what do I know?

Either way it's clear that women are not being represented in "Dancing On Ice" finals. We don't always want to see the women's journeys on the show being cut short. It would be great to see a bit of a shake up with the format, because I'm sure we'd all love to see a woman be the next to lift the trophy and break the dreaded 11-year streak.

Aaliyah Harry(she/her) is the associate editor at POPSUGAR UK. She writes extensively across lifestyle, culture and beauty. Aaliyah also has a deep passion for telling stories and giving voice to the voiceless. Previously, she has contributed to Refinery29, Grazia UK and The Voice Newspaper.