It is the first telly gig the former Pussycat Doll has secured since finishing second on this year’s show — with ITV bosses handing her the gig after seeing how popular she was.
Frosty reception ... from left, Dancing On Ice judges Jason, Karen and Robin
Karen Barber and Jason Gardiner will also judge despite their huge row live on air two years ago.
Mouthy Jason told Karen — who was axed as a judge and became a contestant trainer — that if her “opinion still mattered you’d be on the panel”.
Karen told TV Biz that she hadn’t spoken to Jason, who had taken a year off the show, since.
The three will join panel stalwart Robin Cousins for the new series, which kicks off at 6.15pm on January 6. This year’s contestants include Baywatch star Pamela Anderson, rugby ace Gareth Thomas and Towie’s Lauren Goodger.
Bosses picked Ashley for her “dance and performance expertise,” despite her having no professional ice dance experience.
The American — the third Pussycat Doll on a British reality show panel after X Factor’s Nicole Scherzinger and Got To Dance’s Kimberly Wyatt — said she could not wait to get started.
She said: “I’m beyond excited to be joining Dancing On Ice as a judge. To work alongside Torvill and Dean is such an honour, they’re absolute legends.
“We’ve got some fantastic names this year and I can’t wait to see their routines on the ice.”
Executive producer Katie Rawcliffe added: “I’m really pleased we have Ashley on board, Karen and Jason back and Robin as head judge.
“Between the four of them they bring a wealth of experience and knowledge in ice-skating, performance and dance and they are very vocal in their opinions.”