DANCING on Ice has roped in 24/7 psychologists for contestants who are struggling after being axed from the show.
Several stars have tapped into the service already after being left feeling ‘down and saddened’ by suddenly getting voted out, The Sun Online can exclusively reveal.
The contestants cannot be named for medical reasons, but the show’s bosses have laid on a skilled team of male and female psychologists that are available by direct line to them 24/7.
A source exclusively told The Sun Online: “Some of the celebs have taken it quite hard this series when they have left the show. They were not expecting it. “When people leave the show it can be a shock to them because they invest so much time in the show and become part of the family.
“Then when they are axed it’s really hard for them as the pros continue on with the show and all of a sudden they are not part of it. They have been lucky to have all the access to 24/7 psychologists, some of them are new for this series.”
A spokesman for ITV refused to comment.
The stars of this year’s show will be reunited this week when they return to the ice to prepare for the finals on Sunday, except for Caprice Bourret who will not return after her fall-out with ex partner Hamish Gaman.
This year’s contestants have remained friends and have been called the closest group yet, with a lively Whatsapp group where they support each other, a source told the Sun Online.
They said: “They are lucky because ITV prides itself on the robust system that has remained for a long time.Anyone on the show has access to the aftercare team, from the runners to the skate pros too.”
Meanwhile Dancing on Ice fans were left devastated when Ben Hanlin and Carlotta Edwards were eliminated from the show – just one week before the live final.
The 33-year-old magician landed in the skate-off against Paralympian Libby Clegg, with pro Carlotta slipping in the nail-biting final routine.
One wrote: “Ben was by far the second best skater in the contest & it is extremely unfair that he’s gone home – undermarked in the show. A JOKE.”
A second moaned: “You were robbed tonight, Ben. Gutted and annoyed for you. Undermarked all night when you are such a brilliant technical skater.”
In addition to Libby and Mark, Joe Swash and his partner Alex Murphy, and Perri Kiely and Vanessa Bauer landed a spot in next week’s final.
One of the couples will be crowned this year’s Dancing On Ice champion on Sunday, with Christopher and Jayne also set to take to the ice for a very special performance in the finale.
Earlier this evening, Christopher confessed that he didn’t expect TV personality Joe to be a finalist after the star moved viewers to tears with an emotional performance in memory of his late dad.
