Sam Aston and his skating partner Molly Lanaghan have emerged victorious as the winners of this year's Dancing On Ice competition, held on Sunday, March 9, 2025. The final saw Aston, best known for his role as Chesney Brown on Coronation Street, overcome strong contenders, including Springwatch presenter Michaela Strachan and former footballer Anton Ferdinand, to claim the trophy.
During the final, which aired at 6:30 PM on ITV1, the three celebrities showcased their final routines, and the excitement was palpable. Anton Ferdinand, representing the world of sports, began the night with his performance to 'Let's Go Crazy' by Prince and The Revolution, impressing the audience and judges alike with his passion.
Ferdinand, 40, was visibly emotional as he spoke about his experience with his partner, Annette Dytrt. "I've thoroughly enjoyed this experience with you, Annette. Thank you very much," he remarked after their routine earned them a perfect score of 40 from the judges. This score highlighted their skill and chemistry on the ice.
Next up was Sam Aston, 31, who delivered not just one but several standout performances, beginning with his entertaining routine inspired by The Pink Panther Theme. This quirky approach won him the judges' hearts, and he reflected on his time competing, saying, "It's just been such a crazy and mad one." His efforts led them to complete their performance with the renowned Bolero, which they executed flawlessly.
The night concluded with Strachan, 58, and her partner Mark Hanretty, who skated to Barbra Streisand's 'Don't Rain On My Parade.' The emotional performance evoked powerful reactions from the audience and judges, with the latter praising the choreography crafted by head judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
"That really touched me. I thought the entire thing was absolutely beautiful," said judge Oti Mabuse, commending the talent displayed throughout the night.
When the results were revealed, Aston and Lanaghan emerged as winners after the public vote, marking Aston's place as the third Coronation Street cast member to take home the trophy, following Gaynor Faye, who won the first series back in 2006, and Ryan Thomas last year.
"I've literally got no words!" Aston exclaimed as he processed his victory. He added, "It's such been such a ride and to do this with Molly is something I will cherish forever." Lanaghan, who has dreamed of appearing on the show since she was young, shared his sentiment and expressed her gratitude for the experience.
Despite being the runner-up, Strachan, ever gracious, communicated her joy at reaching the finals and stated, "It's been fantastic! I feel like I’m a winner to have gotten this far with Mark." On the other hand, Ferdinand, though finishing third, praised his partner and reflected fondly on their time together.
The show was hosted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern and featured regular judges Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Jayne Torvill, and Christopher Dean, whose final performances as judges received heartfelt admiration from fans.
Fans expressed their excitement on social media, noting how entertaining it was to witness such emotional performances. Despite the competition's challenges, every participant showcased growth and resilience throughout the series. It was demonstrated clearly when Aston mentioned, "I don’t know where the time went. Sometimes it feels like it zipped by, other times it felt like forever ago during training and rehearsals!"
Looking back at his overall experience, Ferdinand said, "It has been up and down, but I have enjoyed every moment, and I would like to thank Annette for making my experience memorable. I hope to carry this whole skating attitude forward beyond just the competition!"
The final episode was not only the climactic ending to this season's show but also highlighted the overwhelming talent this year, making it evident why Dancing On Ice remains a fan favorite. The excitement will surely set high expectations for the upcoming seasons. With last year’s winners Ryan Thomas and Amani Fancy witnessing this year’s excitement as viewers, the legacy of Dancing On Ice continues to inspire countless fans and aspiring skaters alike.
Following the dramatic performances, many were eager to see what the future holds for each of the contestants, especially considering the impact of the show's legacy over the years. With Aston now joining the ranks of previous champions, it will be interesting to see how he uses this experience moving forward within his career.