Phillip Schofield has revealed he will miss John Barrowman on the Dancing On Ice judging panel ahead of the new series, set to launch on Sunday.

The host, 59, said he 'adores' the actor and his 'larger than life personality' that he brings to the show. 

John, 54, was axed from the ITV series last year following claims he exposed himself on the set of Doctor Who and will be replaced by Strictly's Oti Mabuse, 31. 

Speaking about the shake-up, Phil said: 'I adore John (Barrowman) and obviously we will miss that larger than life personality but in every panel you want to make sure each area is well and truly serviced. 

'Oti will definitely be the one to pick them up on their dancing and their dancing skills and that’s really important. 

'So, you’ve got Ashley with the overall showbiz nature and difficulty with the moves, obviously Jayne and Chris who have ice skating sewn up and then you’ve got Oti who knows exactly what’s required. 

'We really like her as well, she has been on This Morning a lot so we know she will be a great part of the team.'   

John issued an apology in May for the historic incidents, but said they were 'exaggerated'.

The TV star described his past actions on set as 'silly behaviour' and insisted on Lorraine in November he would 'never do it now' after previously admitting to 'tomfoolery' on the sets of Doctor Who, where he began playing Captain Jack Harkness in 2005 and spin-off series Torchwood a year later.

When questioned by the host if he felt his behaviour had 'crossed the line', John agreed that if it were to happen today then it would be, but was quick to accuse people of turning his actions into 'sexual harassment'. 

No charges were brought against the media personality after allegations about him exposing himself were revealed in May following more serious allegations of sexual harassment against his Doctor Who co-star Noel Clarke.  

He explained: 'I think that if it was now, it would be crossing the line. I think that something that happened 15 years ago, it was bawdy behaviour, silly behaviour, it was being done in the confines of the set, and we were like a family, working together. 

'The fact that it was stories that I’ve already told. I’ve been telling them for years. I haven’t hidden anything, they’ve been exaggerated, and they’ve tried to turn them into sexual harassment which it absolutely is not.'  

The actor added he can now see his behaviour was 'juvenile' and it would not be something he would do today. 

On advice Phil would give to Oti when judging, he said: 'Dancing On Ice is really dangerous. They really all risk everything for it. 

'We’ve seen in the past that people do get hurt and of course you want to avoid that at all cost'.

Elsewhere in the interview, the This Morning presenter said he would never want to be a contestant on the show because he doesn't think he would be a natural skater and would much rather appear on I'm A Celebrity. 

He said: 'I am always surprised by ability and someone will come out of nowhere and you’ll think, "wow, this is beautiful":, what a wonderful moment or that was extraordinary. 

'So, there are always moments like that, so yes it surprises me because people sign up for it because I wouldn’t. I’m A Celeb is the one for me, that’s the one I’d want to do.' 

Phil then went on: 'The reason I can’t do I’m A Celeb, is that they eat with their metal tins and metal spoons and the one thing that goes through me, even now I’ve got goose pimples talking about it, is metal on metal. So, I could never do it for that reason.'

Set to compete on the new series of Dancing On Ice are Love Islander Liberty Poole, 21, BMX Olympic silver medalist Kye Whyte, 22, Paul Gascoigne’s son Regan Gascoigne, 25, The Vamps' Connor Ball, 25, rugby star Ben Foden, 36, and Paralympian Stef Reid, 37.

Other celebrities taking part include presenter Ria Hebden, 38, pop star and actress Kimberly Wyatt, 39, professional dancer Brendan Cole, 45, and Happy Mondays dancer Bez, 57.

The new series of Dancing on Ice starts this Sunday at 6.30pm on ITV.