Following Kieron RIchardson's week three routine, the Dancing on Ice judging panel had a fair amount of criticism for him. So, the Hollyoaks actor promised that - if he made it through to week four - he would take it all on board and do everything they wanted him to do. Kieron made it through to week four's '70s-themed week but did he stick by his promise?
The first hurdle that Kieron had to overcome was the fact that he was only born in 1986 so had very little knowledge of '70s music. However, when presented with his track - Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry from 1976 - he was over the moon with the choice. "The song that we've got is ace," he commented.
The second problem this week was, as Kieron himself confessed: "I have got absolutely no rhythm...I have never danced in my entire life." As Kieron and Brianne practiced the routine, choreographer and mentor, Jayne Torvill said: "We've given him some choreography that looks like he really enjoys it. He hasn't quite got everything yet, but he will get it." Kieron added: "I will have rhythm by Sunday night's show...even if I have to have dance lessons."
And Kieron did indeed take dance lessons to help improve his rhythm and movement. Following a successful lesson, he said: "Forget Saturday Night Fever, I'm giving it Sunday night fever this week."
Despite almost dropping pro-partner, Brianne in the final move of the routine, Kieron delivered a good performance. And he risked wearing the 'unlucky' green Dancing on Ice costume. However, the judges scored him with 3s across the board, making an overall total of 15 points.
Head judge Robin Cousins commented on the fact that Keiron's score had gone down week on week saying: "Every week is different - we're marking exactly what you're doing out here now." He added: "The good points...you were on the button with the music, you gave it all you could. It's tough when you're working with a partner that has the presence that Brianne has - you tend to be following her a lot rather than leading her, so whilst the dancing was good, the musicality was great, the skating was not as good as you have done and not as good technically as you were last week."
Judge Jason Gardiner said to Kieron: "Sometimes I want to give you a shake but I'm just afraid that you'd snap in half. A lot of your movements, there's no end to them, you just throw everything away." His comments were met with boos from the audience and he conceded: "Although, yes, there was some good rhythm there, it wasn't enjoyable to watch - it just doesn't look finished."
Emma Bunton leapt to Kieron's defence saying: "It was really fun, I really enjoyed it. You gave raw performance. Ok, we want you to become the leading man now but it was fun, you smiled all the way through."
Despite ending up in the middle of the judges' leaderboard, Kieron survived the public vote and will skate again next week.
