DANCING On Ice fans have called for a huge shake-up on the judging panel.
The hit ITV show, which came to an end on Sunday, saw Ryan Thomas win this year’s trophy.
The show hasn’t had a female winner in ten years when Olympic champion gymnast Beth Tweedle won in 2013 alongside her partner Daniel Whiston.
Beth’s success marked the end of an even balance of male and female celebrities lifting the trophy.
Ryan’s win sparked a conversation on Reddit with fans noticing the lack of female winners.
One pointed out that it’s easier for the male skater to look “more impressive” than the female because they are the ones doing the lifting and leading.
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean were the ones in the firing line for this shift in luck for female celebrities.
“This year really needs to start a conversation with the female contestants,” one fan ranted on a Reddit post.
“It’s concerning a woman hasn’t won since 2013 and a thing I think we can resolve this is if Jayne & Chris become coaches again instead of judges,” they continued.
They said that they noticed a lack of input in the choreographing, leaving “all the work” to the professional skaters.
The fan said: “I feel the contestants, especially the female contestants have been effected (sic) with not getting to work with Jayne & Chris more. I really think the show needs to make them coaches again and put Karen Barber & Johnny Weir as judges in their place.”
The viewer said that they thought Adele Roberts should have won as she was the “strongest and most consistent skater of this season”.
Viewers agreed with the original author in their droves, with one saying that Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean “don’t bring much to the panel”.
“The men can seem more impressive on ice because they are the base of most moves. By that I mean that even when they are not letting go of their partners, it’s clear that they’re doing a lot of the work since they are doing the lifting, tossing, holding of their female pros.
“Whereas the female celebrities are the ones being lifted, tossed and held, so it looks less impressive on their part.”
A third echoed: “Adele should’ve won she was the strongest and most consistent skater this season,” adding that the female celebrities struggled with the solo skating challenge.
Saying that they felt “underwhelmed by this series”, another added: “I agree that a focus should be put on the difficulty for the female contestants and explanations provided for the audience.”
Ryan won Dancing On Ice after eight long weeks of falls, tears and moving moments.
The actor – who is best known for playing Jason Grimshaw on the ITV soap – has proved he has got what it takes on the ice.
Ryan was paired with newcomer Amani Fancy on her debut on the UK series, and he thanked her for getting him to the series finale.
The TV star said: “I’m speechless!”
He continued: “I just can’t, it’s Amani, I’m happy for her because she’s put so much hard work in with me.
Later posting on Instagram, Ryan thanked his fans for keeping him in the competition.
He wrote: “Thank you to everyone that votes, sends messages.
“I read & think how lucky I am to be liked by people I’ve never even met before, there’s a lot to be said for just people being kind, it really makes a difference.”
