Christopher Dean was visibly moved during Sunday night’s Dancing on Ice as he paid tribute to members of the skating community who tragically perished in the recent DC plane crash. The ITV show, hosted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern, featured performances from celebrities like Sir Steve Redgrave, Sam Aston, and Charlie Brooks.
However, the mood turned sombre when the programme honoured those lost in the devastating accident.
Over 50 individuals are believed to have died following a mid-air collision between an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, and a Black Hawk helicopter while attempting to land at Washington Reagan National Airport on Thursday morning (January 30).
Holly Willoughby addressed the tragedy, saying: “Before we move on, we are were all absolutely horrified by the tragic plane crash last week in Washington.”
She continued, acknowledging the impact on the skating world: “Among the passengers were several members of the skating community,” reports Lancs Live.
Turning to Christopher Dean, she expressed the show’s collective heartache: “Chris we just wanted to speak to you because it’s incredibly sad.”
Dean responded with deep emotion: “It is, 17 members of the skating commonly lost their lives and it’s felt all around the work and certainly we, and all of our Dancing on Ice family, want to send our sincere condolences to all the family and friends of the loved ones that they lost.”
Struggling to maintain his composure, Dean added: “Our thoughts,” before pausing, overcome with emotion, and then concluding: “Our thoughts are with everyone.”