Matt Evers has announced he will not return for Dancing On Ice next year.
The professional skater’s career on the ITV show began during its first series in 2006 when he was partnered with EastEnders actress Bonnie Langford.
Evers was also part of the celebrity ice skating programme’s first same-sex pairing alongside Steps star Ian “H” Watkins.
On Saturday, he released a statement saying: “I have some news to share. I knew this day would come at some point but I won’t be returning to Dancing On Ice this series… After 15 series of the show it was sadly time to hang up the skates for now.
“I have loved every minute of it (honestly!), I’ve had some incredible partners over the years and we have created some fantastic TV moments.
“I mean who can forget that fall from Gemma (Collins), or the wardrobe malfunction from Pamela (Anderson). And I was honoured to make history with H as the first ever UK same sex televised partnership.”
This year, he had been partnered with former EastEnders star Patsy Palmer.
Evers also said: “I’ll miss each and everyone on the show, in front and behind the camera – and all of you the fans too. But of course I’ll be watching and commenting – which I can now be totally 100% honest about so watch out – haha.”
Evers won the third series with Hear’Say singer Suzanne Shaw and has also been partnered with former model Heather Mills, Loose Women star Denise Welch, Coronation Street star Faye Brookes and TV presenter Denise Van Outen.
He was also paired with model Lara Worthington on the Australian spin-off show, Torvill And Dean’s Dancing On Ice, in 2006.
A spokesperson for Dancing On Ice said Evers has been “a huge part of the show from the very first series creating some of the show’s iconic moments”.
They added: “Matt will always be a part of the Dancing On Ice family and we wish him all the very best for the future.”
Dancing On Ice will return to ITV and ITVX in 2024 for a nine-week run.
