2019 Contestants Ian ‘H’ Watkins (left) and pro Matt Evers
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t was a remarkable moment in British TV, when two men skated on to the ice to perform together in a prime-time show. Hearts melted across the nation, from the Dancing on Ice studio to millions watching at home. The same-sex pairing of Ian Watkins – “H” – from Steps with pro skater Matt Evers was a new development for the flagship ITV show – and, as a member of the production team told an RTS Midlands online masterclass, judge John Barrowman wasn’t the only one in tears. Executive producer Clodagh O’Donoghue recalled: “It was such an iconic moment and there wasn’t a dry eye anywhere in the studio. I’ve never heard an audience reception like it, on
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The makers of the ITV family favourite Dancing on Ice have broken taboos. Now they’re preparing to socially distance any show. I was so proud and delighted by the viewers’ reaction – we thought it might be more negative. “I remember when I rang Matt and said, ‘H has approached us about doing this, what do you think? It’s a brave thing to do.’ He started crying on me, saying, ‘I can’t believe the network is
going to do this.’ It shouldn’t be a thing so I didn’t quite realise what a big deal it was.” The RTS event host, Richie Anderson, part of the BBC’s Radio 2 Breakfast Show team and a reporter on its TV magazine The One Show, said: “As a gay man, I felt it was empowering and there was an element of acceptance. It was a beautiful moment.” Dancing on Ice superfan Anderson was the perfect upbeat host for the entertaining masterclass, as he admitted to having “anorak knowledge” of his favourite TV show. He even confessed to wanting judges and Olympic champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean to be his TV mum and dad. He’s not alone in his love for Dancing
ITV
Heart melting viewing
