CBBC presenter Michael Underwood has revealed the huge sum of money he was paid to compete on Dancing On Ice twice.
The star first appeared on the since-axed programme in 2008 but broke his leg during training before the third show.
Michael Underwood has just revealed how much money he made during his stints on Dancing On Ice Credit: Tiktok/@michaelunderwoodteach
The star admitted he regretted going back and only did it for the cash Credit: Tiktok/@michaelunderwoodteach
, 50, took to this week to answer a fan’s question about how much he earned on the show.
The question read: “Saw a comedian do a video on how much he got paid for as an extra. Think he said about £24,000, did you still get paid when you got injured? Xxx.”
Speaking candidly to the camera, a smartly dressed Michael began: “Right then, prepare yourself, it’s another question. Although I’ve learnt my lesson from the last time I did a video about money – I’m not going to mention tax!
“The last time I mentioned tax it all kicked off in the comments so I’m going to keep it simple. This is a great question: On Dancing On Ice, do you still get paid even if you’re injured?”
Michael first appeared on the show in 2008, and was invited to compete again the following year Credit: PA:Press Association
Dancing On Ice has since been axed after the ITV announced the news last year Credit: Handout
The star then recalled his own journey on the show two decades ago, explaining: “Well back in 2008 I appeared on Dancing On Ice, and the fee that was agreed was £40,000 which was a heck of a lot of money.
“And that included 15 hours training every month for three months and potentially three months on the show if you survived all the way to the final.
“But I did not. I did all the training. I put in all the effort, I worked really, really hard. Survived show one, survived show two and then in between show two and three I broke my leg. Done. Out of the series.
“I was devastated. Think of all that effort, three months of effort I put in and it was done with in a couple of weeks. But the show still paid me my full £40,000.”
Michael went on to explain that as he was still contractually obliged to be part of the show so he still appeared every week in the audience and was pushed around on a chair during the final episode of the series.
In an unexpected twist, Michael was invited back the following year to compete all over again.
However, he has since described taking the opportunity on as a “huge mistake”.
He continued: “Correct me if I’m wrong but I think that’s the first time [the show] had asked a celebrity to come back the following year after being injured.
“And I said yes… yeah shouldn’t have done that. It was a huge mistake. It took me about two and a half years until I was walking properly again.
“This would have been around just 10 months after the accident that I was agreeing to go back on the ice. I could still feel the six inch piece of titanium that had been screwed into my leg pressing against the ice skating boot whenever I was on the ice.
“I absolutely hated going back. I’m just going to be honest I did it for the money. I shouldn’t have done it. If I could go back, I would have said no.”
Michael was partnered with pro dancer Melanie Lambert during his Dancing On Ice stints in 2008 and 2009.
In his second run of the show, Michael was eliminated by the judges in week four of the competition.
Dancing On Ice was axed last year following dwindling viewership figures.
The Sun that the show’s set was being dismantled and put into long-term storage.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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