Richard Osman has revealed what he believes is the real reason ITV decided to once again 'rest' Dancing On Ice instead off axing the beleaguered show once and for all.

The presenter and TV producer, 54, took to X to share his insight after the skating competition was taken off air following months of rumours and plummeting ratings. 

ITV announced the news earlier this week, much like in 2014 when the competition was 'rested' after eight years on TV, only to return in 2019.

On a story about the show, Richard, who was previously creative director of the television production company Endemol UK, commented: 'If you "cancel" it then within 12 months it can be sold to another channel, if you "rest" it then it can't!'.

Meaning rival broadcasters would be unable to reboot the long running show and leaving ITV the option to bring it back in the future.

MailOnline have contacted ITV for comment.  

In a statement shared with MailOnline, an ITV spokesperson said: 'Following another successful series earlier this year, Dancing On Ice will be rested in 2026 with no current plans for another series.

'We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the cast and crew who have worked on the show since 2006, and over the previous 17 series, for all of their hard work both on and off the ice.' 

Dancing On Ice pulled in its lowest ever viewing figures in show history during its 2025 finale, after Coronation Street star Sam Aston was crowned winner of the competition.

Despite the nail-biting final, the show saw just 2.7million viewers tune in - a huge decline at its peak of more than 12million.

Meanwhile host Stephen Mulhern has renewed his contract with the broadcaster, with his schedule already packed with a string of ITV shows. 

Stephen's close ties with the channel are in stark contrast to his Dancing On Ice co-star Holly Willoughby's future, as it's revealed that she is without an ITV primetime show for the first time in 21 years.

An insider has revealed of Stephen's ITV career: 'His 2025 schedule is already packed, with Celebrity Catchphrase and Deal or No Deal continuing to be solid favourites.'

The Sun report that he is also launching a brand-new travel show, Accidental Tourist, later this year, whilst he is also hoping for a second series of the You Bet! revival.

Holly has quit You Bet! after just one series, with the hunt on to find Stephen a replacement co-host. 

ITV sources told the Mail Holly was 'busy with other commitments' after she branched out to host Celebrity Bear Hunt in her first big role away from ITV. 

A source told the Mail: 'You Bet was so popular with the viewers wished it came back for two shows that ITV bosses decided to give it a full run.

'Holly and Stephen are a great double act and they were both brilliant so they were asked back.

'But Holly politely declined, she has other commitments and couldn't make it work.'

An ITV spokesman added: 'Unfortunately Holly couldn't commit to the dates to host the new series of You Bet!, but will hopefully appear as a guest panellist on one of the shows in the new series.' 

Holly was ITV's Golden Girl for many years and carved out her place as the fan favourite face of its top shows including This Morning and Dancing On Ice.

However, the presenter appears to be taking her TV career in a new direction as she is now without an ITV show following Dancing On Ice's axing.

It is the first time that Holly has not had an ITV show on her schedule for the first time in more than two decades after becoming the broadcaster's TV darlin