Where is Dancing on Ice 2021 filmed? Location of the show's ice rink studio - and Covid measures in place

As this year's series of Dancing On Ice rolls on, it's being produced under some pretty stringent coronavirus restrictions.

So just how is the production able to go ahead safely? As you’ll see, there are plenty of measures in place to ensure the wellbeing of both cast and crew.

But despite all of the production’s safety precautions, the latest series hasn’t been entirely free of Covid setbacks.

A number of crew members were reported to have tested positive for coronavirus, which put the launch of the new series under threat, and last week comedian Rufus Hound was absent after being forced to self-isolate after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for Covid-19.

Here is everything you need to know.

How is it filmed?

Perhaps the biggest change is that for the first time, there hasn’t been a live studio audience during filming.

Back in October 2020, ahead of the series’ commencement, contestant Graham Bell revealed that bubbles were formed, consisting of a celebrity, a pro skater and a coach.

During training, each bubble had its own ice rink to keep them all separated from one another; the celebrity skaters and their professional partners are required to watch their teammates’ routines in a dedicated area away from everyone else.

Are the crew practising social distancing?

The judging panel has remained unchanged with Jayne Torvell, Christopher Dean, John Barrowman, and Ashley Banjo all returning for the latest series, but the four have been separated by Perspex screens throughout.

Ahead of the series, Torvill said it would be “strange” that she will not be able to hug Christopher Dean, with the former Olympic ice dancing champions having to social distance during filming for the ITV show.

However, they have pre-recorded some routines which are being aired during the series.

Torvill said: “It will be strange because after we’d done our pre-records just before Christmas, we then went to our separate houses to spend Christmas and so on, so I haven’t actually met up with Chris again.”

Dean said filming would be a “surreal” experience: “We have to have our two metre separation or at least a screen separating us and we have to talk through masks when we are off camera.”

The programme’s co-host Holly Willoughby said it had been a huge effort to prepare to broadcast the show this year.

“It’s a massive production and in normal years it’s quite a feat getting this show to air,” she said. “So you can imagine this year more than ever, it’s come with challenges and one that the team have seen off at every point and they have done it and it is quite remarkable, actually."

Where is it filmed?

Since its 2018 revival series, Dancing on Ice has been filmed at its purpose-built studio/ice rink at RAF Bovingdon in Hertfordshire, about 2.5 miles south-west of Hemel Hempstead.

The airfield has been used for TV shows and films before, including 2014 Brad Pitt war film Fury, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and Fast and Furious 6.

An ITV spokesman said at the time that the studio would be a “temporary build” holding two rinks – “one for training and one for the live weekend show” - but the set remains three years later.

Prior to its move to Bovingdon, Dancing on Ice was based in the George Lucas Stage at Elstree Studios – which is also the home of Strictly Come Dancing – from 2006 to 2010.

In 2011, the show was broadcast from Shepperton Studios, but it returned to Elstree with a new, more modern set.