Four celebrities took to the ice in tonight’s live semi-final show of Dancing On Ice knowing a place in the Grand Final was up for grabs. And as usual watching their every move, with this week’s required element, a solo spot of at least 30 seconds were Ice Panel judges Jason Gardiner, former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, Nicky Slater, Karen Barber, and head judge Robin Cousins.
In the end up however, one of them was always going to have their chances of being crowned this year’s Dancing On Ice champ crushed.
And as it turned out it was EastEnders actress Dannniella Westbrook who was sent home, losing out 3-2 to The Bill star Gary Lucy 3-2 in the judges voting after finding herself in the bottom two after the being voted to skate for survival by the public.
Head judge Robin cousin had described Danniella’s original performance, which along with others featured a solo 20 second slot as the required element, as “tentative.”
Yet despite showing less nerves second time around dancing with partner Matthew Gonzales to Kelly Rowland’s When Love Takes Over, when it came to the crunch last week’s leader board winner crashed out in a dramatic finale.
Asked immediately after the skate- off by show co-host Phillip Schofield whether she thought she’d done enough to make it to the final she said: “Well I enjoyed it a lot better that time. I think I nearly took Matt’s leg off but what you can do? Considering I couldn’t tie my boots [at the start] I think I’ve done alright."
WEEK ELEVEN HIGHLIGHTS
Hayley Tamaddon's Week Eleven Performance
Kieron Richardson's Week Eleven Performance
Danniella Westbrook's Week Eleven Performance
Gary Lucy's Week Eleven Performance
Then it was time for the judges verdict.
Karen Barber was first to nail her colours to the mast by saving Gary. Next up was Nicky Slater who said of her performance that it was, “very well presented.” But referring to a stumble at the end of Gary Lucy’s routine that saw him end up cuddling his partner Bulgarian champ Maria Filippov on the ice he added:”Robin as head of the judges has called the fall on the end of Gary’s routine was after the routine had finished. And on that basis-and only on that basis- by the skin of your teeth Gary I save you.”
With Dannniella 2-0 down next it was Jason who commented: “It’s about performance for me as well and I wanted an exciting final so the person I’m saving tonight is Danniella.”
Emma Bunton then made it a tie with Robin Cousins left to cast the deciding vote and he opted for Gary saying: “Quality, content, skating style, basic movement…I save Gary.“ And with that Danniella’s dreams of ice glory were over.
Commenting on her exit the 36 year-old actress paid tribute to remaining celebs Gary, Hayley Tamaddon and Hollyoaks star Kieron Richardson saying: “You know what Hayley’s a fantastic skater; Gary’s a good skater…Kieron go get it! To come this far me is amazing.” Turning to show mentors Olympic skating legends Jayne Torvill nad Christopher Dean, she added: “The reason I joined this show was to skate with you. Thank you very much.”
