Has Ashley Banjo left Dancing On Ice?
Best known for his illustrious dancing career and judging on Dancing On Ice, Ashley Banjo is currently taking a break from the show due to commitments with his dance group Diversity. The award-winning group were the winners of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 and are currently on their biggest tour to date, bringing their performances to audiences across the UK.
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The tour lineup includes Ashley and his brother Jordan Banjo, Perri Kiely, Sam Craske, Mitchell Craske, Warren Russell, Nathan Ramsay, Starr Kiely, Georgia Lewis and other members, and has successfully performed in many cities.
Unfortunately, their plans for a recent visit to Sheffield suffered a setback when Ashley was injured during the afternoon performance, resulting in the evening show being cancelled. Despite the setback, Ashley Banjo is expected to return to the Dancing On Ice panel for the upcoming semi-final on Sunday 3 March.
The semi-finals will see contestants battle it out for a spot in the final, which will be aired on Sunday, March 10, making it an exciting journey for performers and viewers alike.
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Ice Dancing
Dancing On Ice will premiere its sixteenth season on ITV on January 14, 2024. The show was announced to be renewed in the series finale. The new season will be filmed on a purpose-built studio at Bovington Airfield and will see the return of the amazing ice skating show.
It is worth noting that the series has undergone major changes, with long-time showrunner Phillip Schofield resigning from ITV in May 2023 after revealing a relationship with a young male ITV employee. Stephen Mulhern, who previously replaced Schofield, has taken on the role of co-host alongside Holly Willoughby.
The judging panel included Ashley Banjo, Christopher Dean, Oti Mabuse and Jayne Torvill, with Banjo briefly replaced by Johnny Weir due to Diversity’s touring commitments. Fans are eagerly awaiting another season of dazzling performances and drama on ice, as Dancing on Ice prepares to continue its tradition of entertainment and competition on the frozen stage for its sixteenth series.
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Who is Ashley Banjo?
Ashley Modurotolu Banjo MBE born on 4 October 1988 is a prominent Englishman known for his talents as a street dancer, choreographer, actor and television presenter. He gained widespread recognition as the leader of the dance group Diversity, which won the third season of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009.
In addition to dancing, Banjo has showcased his diverse skills as a judge on Sky1 talent show Got to Dance and as a co-host on Saturday night BBC game show Can’t Touch This.
Ashley Banjo has been a judge on the popular show Dancing on Ice since 2018. It is worth mentioning that he served as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent in the live shows in September and October 2020, replacing Simon Cowell.
The temporary replacement occurred while Cowell was recovering from a motorbike accident.Banjo’s multifaceted career and contributions to the entertainment industry have made him a respected figure, praised for his talents both on and off the stage.
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|
Name |
Ashley Modurotolu Banjo |
|
place of birth |
London Leytonstone, England |
|
born |
October 4, 1988 (35 years old) |
|
Profession |
dancer choreographer actor host |
|
Active years |
2009 to present |
|
Children |
2 |
|
relatives |
Jordan Banjo (brother) |
|
Current Group |
Diversity |
|
dance |
Street Dance |
Ashley Banjo and Diversity
In 2007, Ashley Banjo co-founded the dance group Swift Moves, later renamed Diversity, with his brother Jordan. His nickname “Chosen” reflects his role in the group. Diversity rose to fame after winning the 2007 Street Dance Weekend. Despite not winning the public vote, they won the judges’ vote.
Their victory earned them £100,000 and a performance before Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Variety Performance. Following their success, Diversity was nominated for a South Bank Show Award in the Dance category and won the Pride of Britain Award.
In 2013, Ashley created the touring show “Limitless” for Diversity, showcasing his choreographic skills. Later, in 2021, he collaborated with Persil and Sky Nature to produce an environmental awareness film.
Notably, in June 2023, Ashley embarked on a new adventure, playing the Tin Man in the West End revival of The Wizard of Oz. Throughout his journey, Ashley Banjo has not only showcased his dancing prowess, but has also participated in activities that reflect his commitment to the environment and his diverse artistic pursuits.
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Ashley Banjo’s acting career
After winning Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, Ashley Banjo stopped studying at the age of 14 to focus on dance practice and self-taught dancing. He has been dating Francesca Abbott, a member of the Out of the Shadows dance group, for thirteen years, got engaged in 2014, and has two children, Ross (2019) and Micah (2020).
However, the couple announced their separation in December 2022. Ashley Banjo serves as an official ambassador for the United Dance Organization and was awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Year Honours for her services to dance.
His career extends beyond dance; Ashley judged all five series of Sky1’s Got to Dance, co-hosted BBC One’s Can’t Touch This in 2016 and was a judge on ITV’s Dance Dance Dance in 2017.
He has been a judge on Dancing on Ice since 2018. In 2020, he temporarily replaced Simon Cowell on Britain’s Got Talent. Banjo’s diverse roles reflect his significant impact on the entertainment industry, showcasing his talents as a dancer, TV host and judge.
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