Former TOWIE star Ferne McCann struggled to hold back tears during her emotional debut performance on Dancing on Ice as her daughter Sunday showed her support.

Dancing on Ice: Ferne McCann admits she is close to tears

Former TOWIE star Ferne McCann was overwhelmed with emotion after her eldest daughter Sunday offered her support during the launch of Dancing on Ice.

On Sunday night (January 12), the beloved ITV figure skating competition returned with a bang as hosts Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby returned to the helm.

The dynamic duo welcomed 11 celebrities onto the ice who will be battling it out to be crowned this year’s winner. The 34-year-old mum of two and her professional partner Brendyn Hatfield who skated to the hit single Somewhere Only We Know by Lily Allen.

Following their performance they were awarded and impressive 26.5 out of a possible 40 points by the star-studdded judges and Ferne appeared overcome.

“I feel really emotional,” she admitted as she waved her hands in front of her eyes to prevent tears. “I’ve got tiny tears. I’m just so happy. I really enjoyed it. Thank you,” she gushed.

Ferne McCann was visibly fighting back tears after her debut routine (Image: ITV)

When host Stephen Mulhern pointed out her young daughter in the audience she welled up even further.

“I know. I’m trying not to look at her because I think that was making me well up even more,” she confessed before the judges – Jane Torvill, Christoper Dean, Oti Mabusi and Ashley Banjo – gave their comments on her performance.

Immediately afterwards she and Brendyn took to her Instagram stories where he asked her to describe the performance in one word. Without hesitation she said: “Magical.”

Ferne had admitted to nerves before the opening show taking to Instagram days before to confess: “I’m so excited (and a little nervous!) to step onto the ice and show you all what I’ve been working so hard on. It’s been a journey of laughs, challenges, and so much growth already.

This experience has truly pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I’m so grateful for the incredible team and my amazing skating partner @brendynhatfield for supporting me every step of the way. Ice skating is no joke!”

Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby returned to host Dancing on Ice 2025 (Image: ITV)

Ferne’s performance is all the more impressive as in the show build up she revealed she had a nasty accident on the ice in the past.

“I actually did have an ice skating party… when I was about seven and my only experience was that an ice skate got stuck in my leg, so some boy was like kicking the ice.

“But it didn’t put me off, because here I am, but apart from that, (I) could get round (the ice), but not much experience to this level,” she confessed.

Ferne’s scores left her in third place ont he leaderboard following all the judges scores.