Dancing On Ice fans have shared their disappointment after the ITV show failed to include a tribute to professional skater Sean Rice on Sunday night, following his death last week.
DOI professional Frankie Poultney took to Twitter on Saturday to share the sad news of Sean's passing on Friday January 14, but the first show of the 2022 series on Sunday did not include a tribute to Rice, who competed in the 2011 and 2012 series.
On Monday afternoon the DOI Twitter account shared a statement which read: 'We are all deeply saddened to hear the news of Sean Rice's passing. Sean was a wonderful skater and friend to many on the Dancing On Ice team. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.'
Loss: Dancing On Ice fans have shared their disappointment after the ITV show failed to include a tribute to professional skater Sean Rice on the show, following his death last week (pictured in 2012)
Comments under the post were divided, with many fans questioning why the statement had been posted 48 hours after news of Rice's death was announced, and seemingly in place of a TV tribute.
'Really disappointed this was not addressed last night and it has took you until 15.58 the next day to acknowledge it really poor,' replied one fan.
'So why couldn't something be said at the beginning of the live show or even a tribute at the end with a photo. his family and friends are in my thoughts at this very difficult time,' agreed another.
One DOI fan wrote: 'Shocking guys on how this not mentioned last night sorry Sunday night. Only This morning I heard about it as news was already out. A small tribute shared to Sean would have been beautiful he was a legend of a pro skater & bought a lot to the past shows. RiP Sean.'
Launch show: DOI pro Frankie Poultney took to Twitter on Saturday to share the sad news of Sean's passing on January 14, but the first show of the 2022 series on Sunday did not include a tribute to Rice (Pictured, DOI hosts Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on Sunday's show)
Online tribute: On Monday afternoon the DOI Twitter account shared a statement which read: 'We are all deeply saddened to hear the news of Sean Rice's passing'
Tragic: Sean's wife Jodeyne shared a family photo on Christmas Day, her last Facebook update before Sean's death on January 14
'Should have paid your respects to him and his family on Sunday while the program was on, today seems a bit of an after thought,' wrote another.
Other fans though pointed out that Sean's family may have asked for privacy in the immediate days following his death.
'Maybe the family don’t want a tribute to him yet whilst they process what’s happened? Stop judging ITV so quickly - if you’re not family you don’t know their wishes,' wrote one fan in response.
Criticism: Comments under the post were divided, with many fans questioning why the statement had been posted 48 hours after news of Rice's death was announced
'I am sure there will be a tribute to him next week has anyone thought that perhaps his family needed time to come to terms with their loss everyone is so quick to judge what is wrong with people.....'
'Deepest condolences to Seans family and friends. All these negative comments isn't helping His family m ay have asked to be left alone etc. Have some thought and compassion.'
The former DOI professional, who appeared on the show in 2011 and 2012, passed away on January 14, leaving behind widow Jodeyne Higgins and their eight-year old daughter Signey. His cause of death is not known.
Jodeyne shared a family photo on Christmas Day, her last Facebook update before Sean's death. 'Wishing all our family and friends near and far a happy holiday season full of love and joy. Hugs from the 3 of us,' she wrote.
Privacy: Other fans though pointed out that Sean's family may have asked for privacy in the immediate days following his death
A spokesperson for Dancing On Ice released a statement on Sunday following news of Rice's passing which read: 'We are all deeply saddened to hear this news. Sean was a wonderful skater and friend to many on the Dancing On Ice team. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad
