Dancing on Ice to be screened for last time in 2014

TV series Dancing On Ice will air for the last time in 2014

Dancing On Ice is to be axed after one further series.

The ITV series, which regularly pulls in more than seven million viewers, will be screened for the last time in early 2014.

Former Olympic ice skating champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean announced it would be their final series on Tuesday morning.

TV bosses are understood to have thought the show had reached the end of its natural life.

Wonderful experience

Speaking on ITV's Daybreak the Olympic ice skater Christopher Dean said they felt it was the right time to go as this year marks 30 years since their groundbreaking Bolero performance.

Christopher Dean said: "It's come full circle for us.

"We've had the most wonderful experience doing Dancing On Ice and we just wanted to finish at the top of our game and for the show to be on top of its game so we just felt it was the right time."

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean tweeted: "You followers are the best there is thank you for your support. We want this to be a celebration this year.

"I hope we see you all soon."

ITV's Director of Television Peter Fincham said: "Torvill and Dean are the most successful ice dancing partnership of our generation and brought huge integrity, skill and professionalism to the show and with their departure, it feels like the series has reached its natural end."

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean added: "Skating will very definitely continue for us both. There will also be a final Dancing on Ice live UK arena tour, starting in March next year. We are already planning it and there will be some great surprises for audiences across the country."

The series first aired on ITV in 2006.

This year's celebrity skaters included former Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas, former X Factor winner Shayne Ward and Coronation Street actress Samia Ghadie.

Gymnast and London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Beth Tweddle was the winner.

Co-host of Dancing on Ice, Phillip Schofield, tweeted: "Enjoy it while you can. Dancing on Ice 2014 will be the final series. And I can take up skiing again! ;)"

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