Emma Bunton quits as Dancing On Ice judge

Emma Bunton quits as Dancing On Ice judge
Emma Bunton quits as Dancing On Ice judge (Image credit: EMPICS)

Dancing On Ice judge Emma Bunton has quit the show after spending two series on the panel, in order to focus on other projects. The former Spice Girl - who replaced Ruthie Henshall as a judge in 2010 - said she wanted to concentrate on her radio show as well as her upcoming range of children's clothing. And she is also busy with other projects, including the Spice Girls musical Viva Forever! which is due to open in the West End in 2012. "I loved working on Dancing On Ice - it was so much fun and I loved the team," Emma said. "I made this decision as I have to prioritise all the exciting projects lined up for me next year, as well as my Heart radio show, and juggle these with being a busy mum. I wish everyone on the show the best of luck." Emma's departure is the latest shake-up to the celebrity skating show following the departure of co-host Holly Willoughby, who has quit to present BBC1's new talent show The Voice. Phillip Schofield will be joined by new co-presenter Christine Bleakley when the series returns in January. There has also been speculation that Jason Gardiner is set to quit his role on the judging panel.

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.