JOHNNY Weir has become a real hit with Dancing on Ice fans who have demanded that he become a permanent fixture.
Two-time olympian Johnny has stepped in to cover for Ashley Banjo, who has taken time off from the show.
He has become popular with fans for his honest and no-nonsense feedback for the stars.
Diversity star Ashley, 35, ditched the show to focus on his pre-existing commitments to his dance troupe.
The group’s epic UK tour – which is their biggest yet – will mean Ashley is away up until the semi final.
Johnny Weir, 39, was drafted in to keep his seat warm alongside Torvil and Dean and Oti Mabuse.
But he’s gone down a treat with fans of the show, with viewers calling for him to stay on the show for the rest of the series.
They have claimed that he’s “fair judge” and with his skating background, he knows his stuff.
“Please Make Johnny a permanent judge,” one wrote.
“I want Johnny to be a permanent judge!” said another.
“If ITV have any sense they’ll keep Johnny Weir on that panel – an actual figure skater providing actual critiques and in eighteen years I don’t think Torvill and Dean have ever got out of their chairs to give an actual demonstration chimed a third.
“Gotta keep Johnny weir as a judge permanently he’s funny interesting and knows his stuff unlike the banjo bloke who’s a crushing bore!”
Johnny first announced the news that he would be joining the panel to his Instagram followers.
He wrote: “Good morning everyone, I’ve just hopped on the ice for my final practice before I head off to London tomorrow to take part in Dancing On Ice which is one of the biggest skating TV shows in the entire world.
“In all my 27 years of skating I’ve never performed on the ice in the UK so looking forward to that and seeing all the couples perform and sitting next to Jane and Christopher!”
