Holly Willoughby shocked after Ricky Hatton 'punches' Stephen Mulhern on Dancing on Ice

Holly Willoughby was left shocked after Ricky Hatton punched presenter Stephen Mulhern on Dancing on Ice.

The boxing icon jokingly hit Mulhern as he made his debut in last night's show.

During a skit, Hatton was asked to hold a microphone, but Mulhern kept winding him up.

Willoughby responded to Mulhern's taunt by saying: "Just hit him Ricky, please."

The 45-year-old, who fought the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao during his legendary career, obliged as he took no prisoners.

He aimed a stinging left hook at Mulhern's arm that sent him flying live on air.

The punch stunned Willoughby, who cut a priceless reaction before cheering the hilarious routine. Check it out below:

Hatton took to social media following his on-air joke with Mulhern.

On X, he wrote: "Ricky even landing knockout blows on @dancingonice! Hope you’re okay @StephenMulhern."

Unfortunately for 'The Hitman', he was rooted to the bottom of the leaderboard following his showing on the ice, receiving 12.5 points from the judges.

That's despite sporting a boxing outfit. He wore knee pads and referenced boxing moves to the song of the Rocky movie theme tune 'Gonna Fly Now' by Bill Conti, with his skating partner Robin Johnstone.

Hatton has the backing of the boxing community, with world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury taking time away from his training camp to send him a message before his first skate.

"Hi Rick. Tyson Fury here," he said.

"I'm over in training camp with the undisputed, taking this time out to wish you a massive, massive good luck with Dancing On Ice.

"All the best guys. Do the best. Knock em out Rick!"

Hatton isn't the only former sports star on this series of Dancing on Ice as Olympic gold medallist Greg Rutherford and Winter Olympics legend Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards are also on the show.