28 February 2024 , 11:49
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Dancing on Ice has been slammed by viewers over Stephen Mulhern's cheeky routine.
The ITV skating competition has been hit with 86 Ofcom complaints from viewers who weren't impressed with a racy Magic Mike routine that took place on Sunday's show. The performance featured a host of topless chiselled dancers from Magic Mike Live in London.
"The complaints related to a ‘Magic Mike’ themed performance being broadcast before the watershed," a representative for Ofcom confirmed. During the racy performance, host Holly Willoughby was left blushing when co-host Stephen joined in with the Magic Mike Live performers.
She didn't quite know where to look as Stephen pulled open his smart attire to reveal his torso to viewers. Holly and the live audience burst out laughing as Stephen tore open his shirt and showed off his six-pack – which many viewers suspected was a body suit with well-built abs on show.
Stephen's performance with Magic Mike Live received complaints (Kieron McCarron/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Angry viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday to complain about the cheeky routine. One wrote: "Magic Mike is now wholesome family viewing? What the f**k happened there? #DancingOnIce?"
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"Don't remember seeing loads of women with their tops off on a family Sunday night program #DancingOnIce," another remarked while a third echoed: "I thought this was a family show #DancingOnIce."
Someone else said: "I'm going to sound like a right prude but is a 'Magic Mike' performance the right type of mid-show entertainment for #DancingOnIce? Mary Whitehouse is spinning in her grave." And a fifth added: "I mean the cast of #MagicMike brightened up my Sunday Evening. Not sure the kids were impressed with half naked men gyrating during #DancingOnIce."
Holly relived the hilarious routine earlier in the week as she shared a clip from the performance on social media. She wrote: "I actually have no words. Who knew @stephenmulhern ... still laughing #dancingonice @magicmikeliveldn."
The most recent Dancing on Ice show also saw Eddie the Eagle become the latest star to be eliminated from the skating competition. The English ski jumper and Olympian, 60, and his professional skating partner Vicky Ogden found themselves fighting for survival in the skate-off against Love Island star Amber Davies and her pro partner Simon Proulx-Senecal.
Judge and former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse voted to save Eddie while guest judge Johnny Weir and Jayne Torvill voted for Amber. As the vote was split, it came down to head judge Christopher Dean, who opted to keep Amber, sending Eddie home.
Five couples will now perform in next week's semi-final including Amber and her pro partner Simon, radio DJ Adele Roberts and pro Mark Hanretty, along with Olympian Greg Rutherford and his skating partner Vanessa James.
Reality TV star Miles Nazaire and his partner Vanessa Bauer, and soap star Ryan Thomas and his partner Amani Fancy will also battle it out for a place in the final.
Dancing on Ice continues on Sunday evening at 6.30pm on ITV and ITVX.