Dancing On Ice: Stephen Mulhern fills in for Phillip Schofield who is isolating with Covid

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It was the end of the road for Rachel Stevens as she became the third celebrity eliminated from Dancing On Ice on Sunday. 

The S Club 7 star, 43, and her skating partner Brendyn Hatfield landed in the bottom two alongside Kye Whyte and Tippy Packard with all the judges choosing to save the racer.

Meanwhile, Stephen Mulhern was reunited with his former presenting partner Holly Willoughby on Sunday night’s episode of Dancing On Ice as he filled in for Phillip Schofield who is self-isolating with Covid. 

After her elimination, Rachel said: ‘I have really loved it, it’s been an amazing experience. I’ve loved dancing with Brendyn so much.’

Rachel’s daughters Amelie, 11, and Minnie, seven, were in the audience last week to watch their mum, with Rachel saying: ‘So special for them to have been a part of it and to have shared it with them. I’ve had the best time.’ 

Rachel added that she would miss Brendyn the most before the pair took one final lap around the ice. 

The star’s S Club 7 pal Jo O’Meara was in the audience to support her friend.   

Elsewhere, Stephen’s appointment as host saw him present alongside Holly for the first time since their days hosting children’s TV together, with the pair last presenting Ministry of Mayhem back in 2006.

Opening the show, Holly said: ‘Welcome to the greatest show on Ice. You may have heard that Phil is isolating so for the first time ever he won’t be here this week. The lovely Stephen Mulhern has stepped in to save the day.’

Stephen, who was greeted with rapturous applause, said: ‘Yes, I am here guy. Please don’t stop. Can you believe it’s actually 16 years since we worked together on kids TV?’

Holly said: ‘I know and look at us now, we’re grownups doing proper grown up telly,’ to which Stephen joked: ‘Back by no demand.’

Stephen was confirmed as a replacement for Phillip on Saturday with a statement for the ITV skate show reading: ‘This Sunday’s episode of Dancing on Ice will be hosted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern while Phillip Schofield continues to self-isolate.’ 

Holly took to Instagram and shared a snap of the pair together backstage after the show and thanked him for filling in at the last minute.

She wrote: ‘Standing ovation for @stephenmulhern after being parachuted in at the last minute tonight… loved sharing the screen with you again after 16 years… well done Darlin’. 

Stephen’s guest stint was well received by fans, with one writing on Twitter: ‘Loving Stephen Mulhern on program. More fun. You cn sense crowd’s excitement’. 

Another said: ‘Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern presenting together for the first time since my childhood, making me very reminiscent over Saturday mornings watching Ministry of Mayhem’. 

Another fan added: ‘I’m loving Stephen Mulhern’s fun and energy on tonight’s Dancing On Ice’. 

Holly looked incredible for the evening as she showcased her toned waist and shapely posterior in the high-necked black gown with statement shoulder pads. 

The This Morning host wore her tresses in an elegant updo and sported fluttery lashes and a scarlet lip.

The star added an extra touch of opulence with a pearl necklace as she posed for a stunning snap she shared to Instagram. 

It was Dance Week on Sunday with Rachel and Brendyn kicking off the show with a Waltz-inspired routine.

The pair received a score of 25/40 with Rachel saying: ‘I just wanted to work really hard and throw ourselves into it. We’ve had a great week.’

They were followed by Sally Dynevor and Matt Evers whose performance earned them a score of 24.5/40.

Admitting she was nervous before the show, Sally said: ‘I am thrilled with those scores. I was really nervous tonight so I’m just happy I got through it.’

Regan Gascoigne and his partner Karina Manta were next up with the couple earning an incredible score of 35.5/40.

Holly said the audience were seeing Regan’s ‘sexier side’ coming out after the sizzling performance.

Judge Oti Mabuse added: ‘Finally you’re giving me what I wanted. This was the first time I saw you being you. Welcome to Dancing On Ice.’

Next up was paralympic athlete Steph Reid and Andy Buchanan who received their highest score of the series yet with 29.5/40.

They received universal praise from the judges with Christopher Dean saying: ‘That was your best performance to date. You performed it tonight.’   

Olympic racer Kye was back on the ice this week with Tippy after he was forced to bow out last week due to suffering a nasty fall.

Although he stumbled a bit on the ice, he still received an impressive score of 30/40 with judge Jayne Torvill saying: ‘It’s great to have you back Kye. Don’t be worried about a little stumble like that because your spin was brilliant.’

Next up was Love Island’s Liberty Poole and Joe Johnson who performed a Vogue and received a score of 27.5/40.

Christopher gave the couple constructive criticism, saying: ‘You completed the spin but for me, I wanted more content, I wanted more skating. I preferred some of your other routines in previous weeks.’

Brendan Cole was the next star to take to the ice with his skating partner Vanessa Bauer and earned an impressive 35.5/40.

Although she loved the performance, Brendan’s fellow Strictly Come Dancing star Oti said: ‘I loved it. Brendan, I know you really well and you can do better, but that was amazing.’

Next up were Connor Ball and Alexandra Schauman who turned out a stellar performance and received a score of 34/40.

Connor suffered a fall just before the show and had to receive stitches in his face which came undone during the performance but he soldiered on through it.

Holding a tissue to his face as he received his critiques, the singer said: ‘I was a bit stressed about the spin and kept trying to perfect the spin and then slipped and smacked my face on the ice.’

Bez and Angela Egan took to the ice next and received their highest score of the series yet with 20/40.

Judge Ashley Banjo said: ‘The spins, the lunges, you’re doing them on your own and I’ve got massive respect for that, well done.’ 

Boy George was in the audience to cheer on Bez and told Holly: ‘I had to come and support Bez, he’s so loveable’. 

Finishing the show was Kimberley Wyatt and Mark Henretty who performed a tango and received the highest score of the series with 37.5/40.

Oti told the pair: ‘The routine was hot, hot, hot. I don’t even think I took a breath watching that.’ 

JLS stars Aston Merrygold and JB Gill turned out to support Kimberley with Aston saying of her performance: ‘Unreal, she’s getting better each week.’

Elsewhere during the episode, skaters Lukasz Rozycki and Alexandra Schauman paid a touching tribute to former show star Sean Rice who passed away in January aged 49.

Introducing the performance, Stephen said: ‘First, we’ve got a stunning performing choreographed by two of the professional skaters that they would like to dedicate to someone very special.’

Holly Willoughby added: ‘Former Dancing On Ice professional Sean Rice sadly passed away in January and he’ll be missed by all who knew who him. Our thoughts are with his family.

‘So here with a beautiful routine dedicated to Sean, here are two of his closest friends Lukasz and Alexandra.’

Meanwhile, Phillip tuned in to watch the show, confessing on Instagram he’s only just discovered the series is ‘very good’, he hilariously warned the In For A Penny star: ‘Not too much fun Mulhern… I know where you live.’ 

During the show, Stephen teased Phil by saying: ‘Do you know something? I’m loving it. I feel like I’m getting in there. I know that Phil is watching. Phil, I’m having fun.’

Phillip held up a tasty-looking beverage to the screen, while writing: ‘Well this is an experience I never expected!! I’m watching with a G&T.’

It was only earlier the same day that the TV personality showed off the devastating effects of a leaking ceiling, while predicting his house would have flooded if he had gone to work that evening.

Sharing videos of water dangerously dripping from a spotlight, he wrote: ‘Life is full of small consolations .. if I hadn’t tested positive and had gone to @dancingonice the whole house would be flooded.

‘Remind me not to turn on that light. Surprisingly I’ve very calm. As they say in the movie “Don’t look up”,’ he added of Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest Netflix blockbuster.

Phillip also posted a snap of a positive Covid lateral flow test, writing, ‘This really is the day that keeps on giving!! Sorry @thismorning @hollywilloughby.’ 

It comes as Phillip, 59, took to Instagram on Friday to reveal he was still testing positive for coronavirus, meaning he had to remain in isolation and miss out on presenting duties. 

The TV star also gave an update on social media on Saturday morning, revealing he had taken two rapid flow tests to be ‘absolutely sure’, before wishing his replacement Stephen all the best.

In a humorous video shared on Friday, Phillip sported a glum expression as he slowly lifted his test towards the camera to the tune of Engelbert Humperdinck’s hit Please Release Me.

Per government guidelines, if patients test negative five days after showing symptoms – which for Phillip was Monday – they can leave self-isolation. However, Phil’s most recent tests this weekend determined his fate.

Speaking about stepping into Phil’s shoes, Stephen said: ‘I’m very much looking forward to being back hosting alongside my good friend Holly this weekend. It’s big shoes to fill and I’m wishing Phillip a speedy recovery.

‘I’m a big fan of Dancing on Ice and for one night only I’m thrilled to be rink side watching the action unfold. It’s going to be unbelievable!’ 

Phillip tested positive for Covid on Monday night and took to Instagram to share his lateral flow result with his fans.

The TV personality had been forced to pull out of recent episodes of This Morning during his five days of isolation, before needing two negative LFTs to continue with his Dancing On Ice hosting duties on Sunday.

Just two days before Phillip shared the photo of his test result, he indulged in a jam-packed evening out to the theatre and a restaurant with his wife Stephanie Lowe and their children Molly and Ruby.

His This Morning co-host Holly, was also absent from the daytime show, having previously revealed she would be taking two weeks off.

The announcement meant Phillip was seen hosting with Rochelle Humes for a third consecutive week on Monday before he tested positive.

The Sun previously reported that Holly is taking time out to film scenes for on Wim ‘Iceman’ Hof’s Superstar Survival with Lee Mack in Southern Europe.

Phillip made light of his positive test on Monday night, writing ‘Well b******s!!’ followed by a faceplant emoji before adding, ‘Currently just a slightly sore throat.’

The NTA winner admitted his symptoms were mild at the time of taking the lateral flow test.