Sean Rice, a former Dancing on Ice skater, died on Friday 14th January at the age of 49. This happened just days before ITV’s 2022 season.
Sean is survived his wife, Jodeyne Higgins (pro skater), with whom he has a daughter, Signey.
A spokesperson for Dancing On Ice confirmed the sad news that Sean had died. Sean was a great skater and friend to many of us on the Dancing On Ice Team. We are thinking of his family during this difficult time.
His cause of death is unknown.
Sean’s friends, as well as DOI fans, have paid tribute to the late Canadian skater, Frankie Poultney.
She wrote that pro skaters were “heartbroken today”, having lost an “epic skater, a father, husband, and friend of 20+ years.”
“Sean Rice 20/07/72-14/01/22, gone too soon. But we will love you for a thousand years. Signey and Jodeyne are in our thoughts.
Matt Evers shared Frankie’s tweet and wrote: “One the best… thank-you Sean for your gift.” This was an amazing routine by The Professionals on Ice.
He said, “It was a pleasure knowing and working with you.”
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Another Dancing on Ice fan shared his sadness at the news.
On Saturday, they wrote: “RIP to Former @dancingonice Professional Sean Rice who has passed away at 49. He was married to Jodeyne higgins, a fellow professional. In 2011, he was partnered with Angela Rippon (@ChemmySki), and in 2012, he was paired up with Chemmy Alcott. It would be great if #DancingOnIce paid tribute to him tomorrow night.
Another author wrote: “I’m just shocked!” Sean was one the greatest men. They are an inspiration to me and one in a million. We had a great time learning lifts for @ChemmySki and keeping it a secret that Signey was in Jodeyne’s belly while we skated together.
Angela Rippon, a newsreader, was Sean’s first partner in the ITV skating contest.
He teamed up again with Chemmy alcott the following year. They were eliminated just before the final.
Angela reacted to Jason Gardiner’s remarks about one of the competitors’ performances, calling it “dull”
At the time, she replied: “We’ve decided that we’re going to take on the challenge.” It was boring and safe. I think Jason should go to Sean for a few weeks to see if he can master it all. He could say that it was a safe routine if he could perform the same routine.
Jason’s comments made Sean just as upset. He stated that Jason doesn’t understand what he was talking about. Angela asked me, “Who is this guy?” I replied, “Who am I?” Then I discover that he isn’t even a skater.