Former Dancing On Ice skater Sean Rice dies aged 49 as stars of ITV show lead tributes

Canadian ice skater Sean Rice has died on the age of 49.  

The Dancing On Ice star, who appeared on the present in 2011 and 2012, handed away on January 14, associates have stated.   

Frankie Poultney, a fellow skilled skater, took to Twitter on Sunday to share the unhappy information, whereas a GoFundMe web page has already raised 1000’s of kilos to assist the skater’s widow Jodeyne Higgins and their daughter Signey, eight.

His reason behind loss of life shouldn’t be identified. 

Dancing On Ice professional Frankie wrote: ‘Professional skaters are heartbroken at present, we misplaced a real bigger than life nice – an epic skater, a husband, father, and my buddy of 20yrs. 

‘Sean Rice, 20/07/72 – 14/01/22 gone too quickly however we’ll Love You For A Thousand Years – all our ideas are with Signey & Jodeyne.’ 

Matt Evers, who’s partnered with Sally Dyvenor on this yr’s collection, additionally took to Twitter to share a tribute. 

He wrote: ‘Probably the greatest… thanks Sean in your present. This routine from The Professionals on Ice was unbelievable. It was a pleasure to know and work with you…’ 

Sean was partnered with Angela Rippon in 2011 and ski racer Chemmy Alcott in 2012. 

Chemmy wrote on Twitter: ‘Have simply heard the tragic information that Sean Rice, my associate from DOI has handed away. 

‘The world will miss your wonderful power and also you therapeutic fingers. All my like to J and S. x’  

Sean had a daughter Signey together with his spouse Jodeyne Higgins, additionally knowledgeable skater and coach. Frankie shared a hyperlink to a GoFundMe web page arrange by the household’s associates in Florida. By Monday morning the web page had raised $16,000 out of its $25,000 goal.

A message on the web page paid tribute to ‘poppa bear Sean.’   

‘The world has misplaced an amazing man – a coach, son, buddy, husband and poppa bear. It’s with immense unhappiness to say that Sean Rice has handed away’.

‘Sean was a passionate, bigger than life man who would cease and provides to anybody who wanted him. It’s with that very same spirit, we’re reaching out to everybody to pour prayers and love over Jodeyne and Signey throughout this very troublesome time.’

‘So many individuals have reached out asking how they may also help and so we’ve arrange this go fund account to help Jodeyne and Signey at the moment. Let’s maintain them the identical manner Sean all the time took care of others.’

A spokesperson for Dancing On Ice has stated: ‘We’re all deeply saddened to listen to this information. Sean was an exquisite skater and buddy to many on the Dancing On Ice staff. Our ideas are together with his household at this unhappy time.’  

Rice competed as a pair skater alongside spouse {and professional} associate Higgins within the early nineties. He was a two-time (1993, 1995) Canadian pairs bronze medallist and four-time (1993–1996) Canadian fours champion.

They took dwelling bronze on the Nebelhorn Trophy in 1992, and once more on the Canadian Nationals the next yr.

Following their competitors success, the pair started touring on cruise ships, earlier than Rice joined the Dancing On Ice line-up in 2011. He was paired with newsreader Angela Rippon for his first collection.

He returned to the ITV present the next yr with Chemmy Alcott, and the pair have been eradicated shortly earlier than the ultimate.

Supply: Mail On-line