The remaining 10 celebrities went head to head on tonight’s live show (07.02.2010) in their quest to see who will be crowned Dancing On Ice champ of 2010.
And watching the boys strut their stuff after Robin Cousin told them to up their game to avoid falling behind the grils were the Ice panel judges, Emma Bunton; European and Olympic ice skating champion Robin Cousins; former skating partners Nicky Slater and assistant coach to the couples Karen Barber; and D.O.I. Mr. Nasty Jason Gardiner.
Jason had taken a battering in the media this week with fans calling for him to be sacked over comments he made last week that Sharron Davies was “like faecal matter that won't flush. It goes around and around but doesn't go anywhere". So would the show’s Mr Mean be pulling his punches tonight? Only time would tell
All was soon revealed in a series of routines featuring required element, a pairs spin.
First up was The Bill star Gary Lucy and partner maria Fillipov. In order to come out of his shell Garyt he had decked up in drag during the week to loosen his exhibitions.
So dancing to surf classic Good Vibrations was Gary more of a Beach Boy or a beach bum?
Emma said of the routine that featured barrel rolls, a surfing manoeuvere; swim lift, hitch lift, two fan kicks and wraparound finish:“Slowly but surely we are getting to see the real Gary. I’m very happy about that. I thought it was a lovely performance. I can see your personality coming through and you seemed to own the performance tonight and that is exactly what I wanted to see, well done.”
Nicky told Gary : “I’m a very big fan of your skating and been so frustrated that you’ve almost been apologetic in your presentation. Whilst it wasn’t as clean and assured as it could be it really is wonderful to see you having fun and letting go. Can we please move up another gear from this for next week. We want to see the showman come out. I don’t want to hear you say ‘I’m self conscious.’ You’re an actor,,act rock star out there on the ice. I think that’ll make a real difference.” Robin concurred saying: “Get off those toe picks, enjoy it and stop making making excuses for being good.”
Next up was Danny Young who was in his first skate off last week with partner Frankie Poultney .To improve his technique and posture the former Corrie favourite went to ballet class to try and improve. Appropriately enough the couple were dancing to Tiny Dancer by Elton John. So did those lessons pay off as far as the judges were concerned?
Nicky said: “Although you didn’t get the spin you’re doing big lifts very strongly.” He added: “You’re not covering the ice very well and it is contained, but I still think you’re showing more grace. Go to ballet class again this week it really does help get more flow over the ice. But I’m blown away by those big lifts you can pull out of nowhere and how strong you are in them. So that works for me.”
Jason added: “Look it’s really commendable that you went and did ballet class. Thank you for that. You’re taking it seriously.”
Next up was Boyzone’s Mikey Graham who was top of the boys last week but admitted physically the show was starting to get to him. He was dancing with partner Melanie Lambert to River Of Dreams by Billy Joel.
Robin described the routine as “difficult and challenging” but told Mikey:“ if you’re going to do the work with the feet it has to be correct. There’s a lot, of not faking it, but not quite crossing over. The feet aren’t together. It’s not dissimilar to how Danny was but you were not close to being as good as Danny was.”
Co-host Holly Willoughby then quizzed Robin about marking down contestants who were trying more challenging routines than others would make them opt to stay in safe place to which he replied: “No. You can be consistent. Challenging and pushing themselves is great but at some point you have to decide this isn’t working. We can fix it; we change it; we make it work. But you’re capable of doing more, you’re just actually not allowing yourself, a little like Gary to be as good as we all keep telling you, you are.
Karen told Mikey to keep his chin up saying: “I’m one of your biggest fans. It’s not that you can’t do it, its just not consistent yet. It’s a blip. That’s all it is.”
Hollyoaks star Kieron Richardson whose scores seem to be going down every week had the chance to put things right as he and partner Breanne Delcourt were next on the ice dancing to Paolo Nutini upbeat number Pencil Full Of Lead.
Kieron had been criticised for not taking charge enough and letting Breanne overshadow him so the routine offered him the chance to show off some solo work. Dressed in a yellow and red candy stripe v neck with Breanne in matching top and peach skirt you certainly couldn’t miss them out on the ice.
Robin seemed pleased telling Kieron it was so much more natural to see the Hollyoaks star performing to music he connected with, adding: “While there were still a few little glitches it wasn’t as contrived as we’ve seen in the past. It felt like you wanted to be there. You were in control; you were leading your partner and it was a much, much better performance to see.”
Emma beamed: “You know what Kieron? You really, really make me smile. I know some of [the other judges] are looking at your technique but for me I just really enjoy your performance. I love that you’re skating independently which is great.
After that last but not least (although you sense Jason is desperate every week for it to be last- as in his last appearance) it was the turn of 56 year-old GMTV doc Hilary Jones and his partner Alexandra Schaumann.
Skating to Truly Madly Deeply their routine featured a teapot lunge; Titanic pose; back spiral, stag lift and a couple of swoops. And while he’s not so popular with the judges the audience seem to love him with Phillip Schofield saying to Hilary that the audience’s reaction suggested they disagreed with the judges low scores. The doc in devil’s advocate mood agreed, declaring: ”I think they’re right.”
However that didn’t cut much ice with Jason who sighed: “Oh Dr Hilary. The thing is, what is missing from your performance…well there are a lot of things missing from your performance particularly I have to say, you’re so stiff. Everything is slow and laboured. Plus we’re just not getting the content at all. It’s practically the same routine set to different music.”
Karen was more generous telling the dishy doc: “I think there is improvement. I think it was your best routine. But you only did one rotation so that’s where you lost marks
Emma was also positive telling Hilary: “I’d like to say I think you have improved and should be proud of yourself. You’re doing it for the dads out there. You’re staying up; you’re sturdy you’re not falling on the ice. “ Other judges disagreed with Emma but she hit back saying he was, “much more sturdy than he was a couple of weeks ago.” She added: “I think you’ve got some amazing fans out there who are keeping you in. You know how I feel. Everybody else is miles ahead of you but you’re doing a good job and should be proud of yourself.”
In the end it was Kieron who found himself in the skate off but he survived beating Heather Mills, after the judges elected to keep him in the show 4-1.
