Dancing on Ice host Holly Willoughby left in shock after star ‘knocks out’ co-host Stephen Mulhern

Dancing on Ice host Holly Willoughby was left in utter shock after Ricky Hatton 'punched' her co-host, Stephen Mulhern.

Stephen appeared on the long-awaited new series of the ITV skating competition to reunite with Holly, who returned to screens for the first time since quitting This Morning back in October, on the the beloved show 20 years after they presented Ministry Of Mayhem together.

Holly, who has been hosting Dancing on Ice since 2006, welcomed Stephen, who is Phillip Schofield’s replacement following his departure from ITV which came after he admitted to having an affair with a This Morning colleague while still married to his wife, on the show yesterday (14 January).

Six of the 12 participating celebrities rocked up to the rink to give it their best with Holly, who wore a lovely silver sparkly dress, saying: "To the greatest show on ice, and let’s hear it for the amazing cast of 2024. Let me just say a huge welcome to Stephen Mulhern."

In what seemed to be a staged skit, Stephen asked Ricky, a British former professional boxer, to hold a microphone for him in the style of one a boxing announcer would use.

However, after he had finished his bit to the camera, Hatton dropped the microphone down.

ITV

Stephen then responded by moving the microphone back three times while Holly said: "Just hit him Ricky please."

And that is exactly what Ricky did, landing what looked like a pretty big blow to his arm.

The Deal or No Deal presenter then fell to the ground leaving Holly totally gobsmacked and gasping in shock.

Following the episode's airing, a message on Hatton's X, formerly Twitter, page read: "Ricky even landing knockout blows on @dancingonice! Hope you’re okay @StephenMulhern."

Taking it in jest, Stephen later responded: "I’m already starting to bruise!"

ITV

Viewers have since taken to social media to share their reactions to the punch, with one X user writing: "It's all kicking off on Dancing on Ice."

"Not Ricky Hatton actually punching Stephen Mulhern," penned a second.

Another quipped: "Ricky Hatton just punched and knocked Stephen Mulhern over on live TV!"

"OMG! It looked like Ricky Hatton really walloped Stephen Mulhern then!" echoed a fourth, while a final user chimed in: "I bet Stephen Mulhern now has a dead arm after Ricky Hatton just clobbered him on Dancing on Ice."