Matt Chapman has quit ‘Dancing on Ice’.
The horse racing commentator – who has taken over the reins from the late legendary broadcaster Tony Gubba – was hired to do the voice over for the rebooted skating show but, following a backlash on social media after the first show, he’s decided to walk out.
Speaking to The Sun Online, Matt said: "I’ve decided to hang up my skates, leave the rink and return to the turf and I wish the show the best of luck for the rest of the run."
Matt had spent months learning the moves and the 12 contestants – comprised of Brooke Vincent, Kem Cetinay and Donna Air – in time for the first show last weekend.
However, his abrupt voice overs and cheesy one liners didn’t impress viewers and many of them took to social media to beg ITV to sack him and find a replacement.
A source explained: "Matt decided he couldn’t make his diary quite work as he thought.
"He’s a big character and a talented sports commentator but he had some mixed reviews in the first show, and he told ITV that perhaps it wasn’t for him after all.
"It was always going to be a big gig following Tony who did eight series before he died in 2013. After Sunday’s show Matt told producers they would have to look elsewhere for a commentator for the rest of the series."
ITV are now on a desperate to hunt to find someone to fill in for him by this weekend.
And that’s not the only problem bosses have been hit with as singer Lemar – who was brought in as a replacement for cricketer Monty Panesar after he broke his ankle – is currently battling a bad knee and groin injury.
He said: "My left knee needed some attention. It is strapped up still. I will have to wear the straps underneath on the actual night. The groin is the main thing – it hurts. I don’t know how these dancers do it. It is quite painful. I hope I won’t be told that I can’t perform. We have put in quite a few hours so we definitely want to do it. I’m hoping it’s nothing a small overdose of painkillers won’t solve."
Matt Chapman quits Dancing on Ice
