Dancing on Ice Fans Slam Charlie Brooks’ Routine as “Too Safe” Moments Before Her Elimination
Dancing on Ice viewers were quick to voice frustration during Sunday night’s episode, and their main complaint? Charlie Brooks just didn’t take enough risks.
The EastEnders actress and her professional partner, Olympic skater Eric Radford, glided to Luther Vandross’s 1981 hit “Never Too Much” as part of the show’s themed 80s Week. Their smooth routine earned praise from the judges—Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Jayne Torvill, and Christopher Dean—who gave them an impressive 24.5 points.
But despite the strong score, fans watching from home weren’t convinced. Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the same criticism: the routine was too safe, lacking enough solo skating and dynamic choreography.
“Another safe routine but I thought Charlie’s was smoother than Michaela’s,” one fan posted.
“Charlie playing it way too safe, too clingy and not enough solo at all,” added another.
“Ok I do like Charlie. But does she ever not let go of her partner? Seems like she’s holding on for dear life,” a third user tweeted.
Some even accused the show of becoming “predictable” and “boring” this season, with one fan writing:
“#DancingOnIce used to be so much fun to watch, with really entertaining competitors. It’s very safe, dull & predictable these days.”
Charlie, 42, ended up in the bottom two alongside former footballer Anton Ferdinand in the skate-off—and was ultimately sent home, becoming the fifth celebrity to exit the competition. However, her elimination sparked even more backlash, with many calling out what they saw as judges overmarking Anton despite his mistakes.
“Dan had more mistakes than both Charlie and Michaela, and it was Vanessa that did all the tricks,” one frustrated viewer wrote. “He just stayed on two feet… but sure, let’s give him 9.5s.”
Another chimed in:
“Sorry but Michaela and Charlie’s routines were so much better than Dan’s.”
Charlie Brooks’ TV Career
While fans were divided over her skating, Charlie Brooks remains a beloved British TV star. Best known as Janine Butcher on EastEnders, she first joined the soap in 1999 and has returned for multiple stints, most recently from 2021 to 2022.
She’s also appeared in Casualty, Heartbeat, Celebrity Juice, and even won I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2012.
With her exit, Charlie joins Chris Taylor, Sir Steve Redgrave, Ferne McCann, and Chelsee Healey on the list of eliminated contestants. The remaining celebs—Dan Edgar, Mollie Pearce, Sam Aston, Michaela Strachan, and Aston—are still in the race for the Dancing on Ice crown.