Dancing on Ice fans slam ‘tasteless’ news sketch amid hunt for Nicola Bulley

Furious Dancing on Ice fans are demanding an apology after the ITV celebrity ice skating show was apparently halted by a “distasteful” breaking news story amid the ongoing search for missing mother Nicola Bulley.

The sketch was aired during Corrie star Mollie Gallagher and Sylvain Longchambon’s Ghostbusters routine – just hours after Lancashire Police announced they had found a body in the River Wyre after a 23-day search for the 45-year-old.

Millions watched as a fake breaking news report was unveiled by ITV news anchor Lucrezia Millarini, who was a previous contestant on the show in 2020.

The 47-year-old presenter, who cut to ITV news headlines mid-show, said: “We interrupt this program with the news of a sudden surge in supernatural sightings. The cause of the outbreak is currently unknown, but we are assured that experts have arrived to deal with the issue.

But many fans initially believed the announcement was genuine after receiving the latest news that a body had been found near where Ms Bulley disappeared. While others feared the skit referred to an urgent development in the war in Ukraine.

Millions watched as the fake breaking news story was unveiled by ITV news anchor Lucrezia Millarini during Sunday’s episode of Dancing on Ice

A body was discovered earlier Sunday in the River Wyre near where Ms Bulley disappeared while walking her dog on January 27

One viewer lashed out and said: “That was a little silly #dancingonice. I have a newsflash right now. Thought it was about Nicola Bulley,” while another fan said: “Apologies from @ITV and @dancingonice for the #BreakingNews segment on what’s happening regarding #NicolaBulley. Really tasteless and insensitive broadcasting.”

“Bit insensitive to Dancing On Ice to do a ‘breaking news’ sketch when big events are happening,” wrote a third, while another called it “absolutely unmusical.”

Another tweeted, “why did my heart just stop #dancingonice,” and another reiterated, “not me getting scared this was real breaking news show ffs.”

And another commented: “The news may have been meant to be humorous at first but given the situation in Ukraine and the horrific announcement by Nicola Bulley it’s in very bad taste #dancingonice.”

A body was discovered earlier Sunday in the River Wyre near where Ms Bulley disappeared while walking her dog on January 27.

In a statement, Lancashire Police said: “This morning, Sunday 19 February, you may have become aware of police activity around the river near St Michaels.

“We would like to keep you informed of this activity. We were called at 11:36am today with reports of a body in the River Wyre near Rawcliffe Road.’

The statement continued: “An underwater search team and special officers subsequently got involved at the scene, entered the water and unfortunately recovered a body. Formal identification has not yet been carried out, so we cannot say at this time if this is Nicola Bulley.

Some viewers initially thought the clip was real and feared it was linked to a development in the search for missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley, who disappeared more than three weeks ago

The sketch about the ITV skating competition came hours after Lancashire Police announced they had found the body of a woman in the River Wyre, about a mile from where Ms Bulley was last seen. Police teams are pictured searching the riverbank for a lead from a dog walker on Sunday

Fans online reacted furiously after the mock breaking news segment on Sunday’s version of Dancing on Ice

“Procedures to identify the body are ongoing. We are currently treating the death as unexplained. Nicola’s family have been informed of the developments and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times. We ask that your privacy be respected.’

Meanwhile, the heartbroken family of the mother-of-two now faces an agonizing wait for the formal identification of the body.

Ms Bulley’s partner Paul Ansell, 44, and the couple’s two daughters, aged six and nine, are hoping the mortgage adviser is still alive.

But before noon yesterday, two walkers discovered the body of a blonde woman tangled in the reeds of the River Wyre in Lancashire.

Police have not confirmed if it is Nikki – but the area has been cordoned off, a white tent has been set up and senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith, was there.

The ‘insensitive’ sketch aired during Corrie star Mollie Gallagher and Sylvain Longchambon’s Ghostbusters routine (pictured)

Nicola Bulley’s partner Paul Ansell (pictured together), 44, clung to hope she was still alive, although officials said their main working hypothesis was that Ms Bulley was in flux. He is heartbroken

Others feared the fake news bulletin related to a genuine update on the war in Ukraine, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary this week. Pictured are Ukrainian soldiers patrolling in Siversk on February 17

The family are said to be in “great pain” and “incredibly broken hearts” and their agony will continue as formal identification could take several days.

Mr Ansell told Sky News: “No words at the moment just agony. We are all together, we have to be strong.

On Sunday, police cordoned off the riverside scene where Ms Bulley’s phone was found after walking the family dog ​​on January 27.

Some critics have questioned how police and special teams were able to find the body no less than a mile from the village of St Michael’s on Wyre, despite weeks of intensive searching. Flowers were left on the bench where his phone was found today.

Former Scotland Yard superintendent Nusrit Mehtab said: “If that’s Nicola how did they miss it? Some serious questions need to be asked of Lancashire Police’s decision-making process.

ITV has been approached for comment on the breaking news sketch on Dancing on Ice.