The Greatest Show On Ice has returned for another series on ITV1, this time with Stephen Mulhern taking over from Phillip Schofield - but viewers had a complaint about a long-time pro skater during the first episode of the 2025 series.

returned on Sunday night with presenting alongside Stephen Mulhern as another glittering cast of celebrity skaters was unveiled, hoping to make it all the way to the final.

This time around, actor Sam Aston, reality TV star Ferne McCann and former Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave were revealed as among the lineup for the 2025 series, while several pro skaters also returned to be paired with the celebs.

But some viewers hit out at one pro-skater in particular, accusing show bosses of giving her a 'ringer' to make it to the final every year.

Vanessa Bauer has made it to the final 6 times, and this year has been paired with Love Island star Chris Taylor, something ITV viewers felt was a touch suspect.

@islandofangels said: "What a surprise Vanessa gets the good looking guy who has with potential to be in the final..not a fix though is it 6 times in the final"

@pauljohnle17855 said: "The executive producers always ensure she gets the ringers which is unfair on the rest #"

@donnaheatley79 said: "Just for a change Vanessa has the young fit fella to prance around with... her manager seemed to argue some great clauses in her contract as she gets them nearly every year #DancingOnIce"

@ahmedbelinda said: "Surprise surprise.... Vanessa gets a hottie to skate with. Every year, she never gets paired with the dud skater."

The outcry even led to some fans calling for tactical voting to try to block Vanessa from making the final this time, especially as Chris and Vanessa were fairly low down the leaderboard after their first dance on Sunday night.

@emporermendoza said: "OIf course some bloke called Chris Taylor, got partnered with Vanessa. so we already know one finalist. can people please just not vote for them, it would be much funnier, to see them go out first "

@hausofdylan95 said: "Could this be the first year (minus covid year) that Vanessa doesn't make the final? Bloody hope so she's way too self entitled #DancingOnIce"

@thomasstevens00 said: "Vanessa's partner kind of flopping we love to see it! This may be the year she not be in the final. (all jokes aside no shade to her I'm sure she's a great coach and nice person just hate the favoritism of her always getting guaranteed tickets to the finals) #DancingOnIce"

@hj_pecanpie said: "voting chelsee so vanessa doesn't make a final!"

This year's contestants also include former EastEnders actress Charlie Brooks, reality star Dan Edgar, The Traitors contestant Mollie Pearce, comedian Josh Jones, soap star Chelsee Healey, presenter Michaela Strachan and former footballer Anton Ferdinand.

Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey was due to compete but said she was "absolutely gutted" in December as she withdrew after fracturing her ankle.

Stephen Mulhern stepped in as Willoughby's co-presenter on the reality competition after Phillip Schofield resigned from the broadcaster in 2023.

The celebrities are competing to impress the judges, retired Olympic ice skaters Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill, former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse, and Ashley Banjo, founder of dance troupe Diversity.

Soap star Ryan Thomas and his skating partner Amani Fancy won last year's competition.