Stephen Mulhern breaks silence after being punched by Ricky Hatton on live Dancing On Ice broadcast

Stephen Mulhern has broken his silence after being punched by Ricky Hatton during the newest episode of Dancing on Ice.

The popular ITV show returned for a new series on Sunday, with Holly Willoughby and Mulhern presenting.

Hatton is one of 12 participants on the show, alongside the likes of Eddie the Eagle and London 2012 long jump gold medallist Greg Rutherford and S Club 7 singer Hannah Spearitt.

It wasn't the ideal first week on the ice for the British former boxing champion, as he finished bottom of the leaderboard on 12.5 points.

But things didn't exactly go as planned off the ice either, with Hatton punching presenter Mulhern during an on-air skit.

Hatton was asked to hold a microphone in order to do an interview, with Mulhern continuously winding him up.

Willoughby then said: "Just hit him Ricky, please."

Hatton obliged, landing a punch on Mulhern's arm. It sent the presenter flying to the ground - much to the surprise of Willoughby as she watched him fall.

A post from Hatton's social media account apologised to Mulhern, writing: "Ricky even landing knockout blows on @dancingonice! Hope you're ok @StephenMulhern."

Mulhern has since broken his silence on the incident on social media, writing: "I'm already starting to bruise!"

One fan took to X (Twitter) to write: "Really sorry, Stephen, but kept rewinding this and watched it over and over - too funny!"

Another said: "Was waiting for you to get back up any second, but nope!"

A third remarked: "Sure it was planned but he surely went for it! Pic please of the bruising."

And a fourth quipped: "Have WWE called yet?"

It was Mulhern's first appearance as a permanent co-presenter on Dancing on Ice, with the 46-year-old having previously worked with Willoughby on the children's TV show Ministry of Mayhem during the mid-2000s.