After one week, with just the boys having performed, many people have already decided that Ray Quinn has the Dancing on Ice title sown up - even the judges, it seems. Outr video captures a few candid remarks from the judges who were blown away by Ray's performance in show one.
Judge Nicky Slater, who has skated in the Olympics, said, "He's like Sinatra on skates." Nicky praised Ray's great body posture, telling us, "All the training he's had dancing, singing, performing - and also he's done some inline stuff. It's just working."
On the first show, which saw just the male contestants skate, Ray danced to Hanson's track Mmm Bop with professional skating partner Maria Filippov. They scored a total of 23.5 out of a possible 30 points, coming top of the leaderboard.
Ruthie Henshall, who, as a West End star herself, knows a thing or two about performing, said, " We've only seen the boys, but Ray Quinn is light years ahead." Adding that, "He's not just doing tricks, he's not staying upright. He's dancing on the ice."
Former Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater and judge, Robin Cousins said, "Mr Quinn is something quite special." He put Ray's talent down to the natural gift that he has as a performer.
"Ray is a very natural mover," added Karen Barber.
And even Mr Mean, Jason Gardiner, declared, "It's Ray Quinn all the way." Now that's praise indeed.
The girls skate in show 2, with the boys getting a week's rest, so we'll soon see how far ahead of the rest of the entire pack Ray is.
