Prop Problems!

Posted on March 13, 2010 by dancingoniceblog
 
It’s Prop Week people!
You know what that means…
It’s time for slips and trips as the contestants battle with a pesky foreign object as well as those bothersome boots and blades – not to mention the face-grating ice!
 
So who’s got what I hear you ask?
Well, Jayne and Chris have played around with the props a little this year and they’re causing the ‘lebs a few problems.

Danniella has the chair, but this year it’s an office job on wheels and not the standard (and more secure) four legged version. Hayley and Dan have the brolly (no changes there) but poor Kieron Richardson has a microphone stand – imagine dragging that thing round the rink! True to form, Gary Lucy has the cane and Danny Young the hat, but who will provide us with a ‘proper’ prop performance?

So far, Danniella’s been dragged from the chair and fell face first onto the ice. Hayley has pulled both sides of her groin and nearly broken her arm with the brolly (according to Twitter) and they all seem to be spending more time on the bums than on their feet this week – but wouldn’t you?

It can’t be easy learning to skate only to have someone say: "Here! Now dance with this!"

I’m guessing Danniella’s got the most to lose this week. After being in the bottom two for the past fortnight, the pressure is on!

 
So now you know the props, who do you think will be in the bottom two this week?

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Selena x

Selena Ledgerton
MSN Reality TV

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Live Blog – Movie Night

Posted on March 7, 2010 by dancingoniceblog
 
The Dancing On Ice Live Blog is running now…

As always tap F5 to refresh as we go along and click to leave your views as each act performs. The top six skaters have been perfecting everything from flips to Flambos, will they be drastic or fantastic?

Click here to leave your views..

It’s movie night tonight and what a showstopping Hollywood routine to kick things off! All of the pros perform to Luck Be A Lady and some of the flips and tricks are out of this world. I’m still waiting for Fred and Melanie to perform that amazing one arm lift though… You’re gonna love it when they pull that one out of the bag!

All of the ladies are in full length flowing gowns and the male skaters dapper in their tux’s. You’ve got to appreciate the old school pomp of it all – classic Rat Pack stuff… Where are Dean Martin and Sammy D when you need ’em. You up there Sammy?

The required element this week is the Solo Spin. Each skater must complete two full rotations alone. I can’t help but be reminded of Chris Fountain every ‘spin week’ – he really was fab wasn’t he… Even though he knew it.

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First up to skate is Danny Young and it’s been a good week for him after breaking through that 17 point barrier – it’s really given him a boost. The only problem is that Jayne and Chris are looking to challenge him once more and the routine is packed. As he’s perfoming to the Theme From Rocky, the coaches are also hoping to find a hidden fighter in him, so send him off for a boxing lesson.

Danny takes to the ice in full boxing garb including taped hands and the trademark robe. Frankie tails him with a coaching towel and he’s off! WOW! He spins and spins for the required element and Frankie is visibly overjoyed that he nailed it. There’s a knee slide, a torch lift, split jumps and a dumbell lift.

4.5’s across the board.
22.5 points.
Great theme and more content than you can shake a stick at. Well deserved – I loved it!

Emma Bunton is gushing… "This week was great for you, you were confident, the lifts were good, you had it all and you have to keep that going – Now you’re a real contender!"

I have to laugh… Jason Gardiner is speechless for once (and rather horny by the looks of things) – "Well what can I say, we’ve never seen you like this before have we?" He beams and rubs his hands together, "It was a very good move (having no top on). It was brilliant – wow!" He’s blushing!

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Next up is our Danni and for Movie Week she’s done her homework by giong back to her roots. She heads for the Sylvia Young Theatre School and they give her some pointers to help with her Grease themed performance.

The pair dance to Summer Nights and I have to say, I was hoping for more. The lifts are great and the emotion is there, but it all seems a little forced – at times it all looks like too much effort. I’d have prepared something upbeat like You’re The One That I Want myself… a better match to Danni’s quirky personality.

There’s a sit on the knee combination, a swimming lift, a half drape, the required element and a low float spin to finish – but she couldn’t pull the leg out in time.

19.5 points

Karen Barber tries to encourage her after a rough skate. "You had trouble with the lift and the spin was short by half a rotation but he footwork is there."

Head Judge Robin Cousins is concerned, "when I watched I thought, she’s gone. We haven’t seen the confidence we saw in week one since, don’t give up on yourself – not yet!"

It’s not looking good for Ms Westbrook – Ouch!

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You’ve got to love Mikey Graham. After his horrific fall followed by his trembling (and terrible) performance last week, he demostrated all the guts and humility you would expect from a real gent. I just hope that this week we finally see that clean run, I just know he’ll be amazing but he needs that one defining moment to give him that boost.

Mikey and Melanie perform to Ronan’s You Say It Best When You Say Nothing At All and it’s a beautiful emotive routine. It’s obvious that the pair connect as well as Dan and Hayley, especially when Melanie grabs Mikey at the end to stop him overbalancing during his second rotation – the embrace covered it well guys!

19 points

The judges all agree that the partnership is second to none, but they all want the skating to improve. Nicky Slater tells it like it is, "I know you can skate better than that and it’s disappointing – we need to see it."

I have to laugh when Jason slates Mikey’s performance and Phil Schofield quips, "You should have done it with your top off mate!" Never a truer word said eh? Well done Schof!

Please, please put Mikey through guys. I know this isn’t supposed to be a popularity contest but it’s a travesty to not let him have his moment.

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I’m looking forward to Gary Lucy’s performance tonight. He and Maria are performing to Teenage Wedding and I love the track and am embracing the Pulp Fiction theme – classic movie.

He pulls it out of the bag and the pair offer up a real homage to ‘that’ Thurman and Travolta dance routine. There are deep lunges with jumps, a twist, the required element and a walking on air sequence.

20.5 points
Mmmmm… Questionable marking judges, Nicky gives a 5.0 and Jason gives a 3.0?

Jason is bickering with Nicky before the camera makes it to panel, but pro skater Nicky is having none of it. "For me it’s about the skating and the skating is superb, you’re fast, you control it and the lifts are secure and strong."

Jason is not convinced as he believes Gary started well but ‘dropped’ out of character and like Robin Cousins, I have to agree with him. It was good to see Gary play a character tonight though – maybe Jayne and Chris could have given Mikey a character too. He’s the only skater not to have had one so far…

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I’ve warmed to Kieron Richardson more and more each week. I love that he and Brianne have such a giggle and enjoy watching his tangerine tan fade day by day in training till show day! Most importantly, I’ve relished how their partnership has grown and that Kieron’s confidence has gone from strength to strength – he’s a little pocket rocket now and not to be sniffed at. The points speak for themselves people, he’s upped his game every week and he’s hoping for 20 tonight.

The pair perform to the Theme from The Pink Panther in pink pvc macs (yes they’re recycled from last year’s pro skater’s Raining Men routine LOL!). There’s a horizontal counterbalance, searching lunges, a back cartwheel, sneak step sequence, a running man and an around the world lift. Great comedy element – that was fun, the crowd are still screaming.

He flings his arms in the air, amazed and overjoyed to get 21 points!

Head Judge Robin Cousins is impressed by Kieron’s gusto. "I love how you are the only skater to come out and deliver no matter what the result may be. It wasn’t great but I love the attack."

Emma smiles at Kieron’s joy. "Your confidence is up and you can tell you are finding it easier – I’m enjoying it."

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Ooooh, we have a Bollywood spectacular from Dan and Hayley this evening! The pair perform to Ja’i Ho from Slumdog Millionaire and Hayley’s challenge is to spin to such a fast track at the same speed as Dan! …and she’s hoping to do three rotations.

It’s an amazing routine! Even as she’s introduced her hand movements mirror a Bollywood dancer and she manages not three, but four rotations on the required element. There’s a floating genie, overhead split, Bollywood inspired step sequence and dance, as well as an adapted float to finish. We’ve got to see 6’s here…

6.0’s across the board people!
30 points

Chris Dean says that he couldn’t have asked for more from Hayley, "you won your Oscar tonight."

Choreographer Jason is gushing, "from the moment you stepped out onto the ice you were in the zone. I want to thank you for giving us one of the best performances we have probably ever seen on this show!"

Nicky agrees, "for me it’s when a performance makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. It was just beautiful."

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THE SKATE-OFF!

The judges rank Kieron and Hayley as their top skaters this evening.

In no particular order, through to next week are:

Hayley and Dan
Gary and Maria
Danny and Frankie
and…
Kieron and Brianne

So it’s down to Danniella or Mikey.
Who do you think will succeed in the skate off?
It’s a tough call this one.

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Daniella’s performance is much improved though she still catches her leg on the float and can’t pull out of it gracefully. I like Danni, but I’m sorry I’m rooting for Mikey – let’s have that defining moment when it counts Mike!

Ooooh, I’m pleased to say he pulled that out of the bag and there were no problems with the spin this time. "I felt like I had nothing to lose and I just went out and had a good time. I think that’s one of the best times I’ve done it during the competition."

Jason Gardiner hits the nail on the head, "In this instance the required element is key! Therefor I save Mikey." – He did nail it. It’s a dead heat between the judges at two votes each and it’s down to Head Judge Robin Cousins. He saves Daniella and Mikey is out!

I don’t believe it.
I thought he skated better than Danni in the skate off.

Didn’t you?
Click here to leave your views..

Mikey thanks everyone for voting and hugs Melanie, "it’s been such an amazing journey!" I think you were robbed mate!

See you back here for all the news from training, we’re down to our final 4…

Selena x

Selena Ledgerton
MSN Reality TV

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Dancing On Ice: The Headlines

Posted on March 7, 2010 by dancingoniceblog
 
What Dancing On Ice news has hit the headlines?

Christopher Dean’s Marriage Ends:



Dancing on Ice star Christopher Dean has split from his wife. The 51-year-old skater (half of legendary Olympic champions Torvill and Dean) announced the break-up last night. The star had been living in America with wife Jill and their two sons, but has been spent long periods in Britain for Dancing On Ice. He has been spending time with both Jayne Torvill and coach Karen Barber during this difficult time.

Make of that what you will…?
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Danniella Fights For Final Place:

Danniella Westbrook is giving it her all this week as she knows that after being in the bottom two, it’s all or nothing!

Speaking about her and Hayley Tamaddon, she said: "We’re the last two girls left so we have to fight to keep our spot against those boys, we just hope everyone keeps voting."

Fellow ex-EastEnder Lucy Benjamin offered Danni her support: "I’d love Danniella to win. I think she’s done so well and she’s never skated before, I think she’s the dark horse of the competition."

There is much speculation about Danniella’s skating ability. Do you think she’s skated before?
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Maria Filippov Stalker Hell!

Dancing on Ice star Maria Filippov has been "terrified" by a stalker who has been following her to rehearsals for the show. It’s rumoured that the pro skater (partnering Gary Lucy) has had to use decoy drivers to ensure that the stalker is unable to find out where she lives.

The Daily Star Sunday claims that Maria told producers that she was suspicious of a driver in a white van. The man is said to have followed the Bulgarian skating star to the rink and was seen lurking outside the gates to the studios.

Stay safe Maria!

So what do you think of this week’s headlines?
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Don’t forget to join me here tonight for the Live Blog and Chat from 7.15pm. I’ll be here with my views and I can’t wait to hear what you think of each performance as it happens… See you then!

Selena x

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Emily Atacks Taxi?

Posted on March 5, 2010 by dancingoniceblog
 
Dancing On Ice star Emily Atack may have been voted off this week, but she’s obviously got some fight left!
 
After her best performance to date, the actress who plays Charlotte Hinchcliffe in the Channel 4 show The Imbetweeners, competed with former EastEnder Danniella Westbrook in the skate-off – sadly she failed to pull the judges favour.
 

Emily was visibly gutted with the result and compared the end of her journey, to ‘returning from holiday’ as it’s ‘so depressing’. " I don’t know what I’ll do with myself now every day.."

Later Emily found herself overwhelmed with emotion once more after a near miss car accident. As she left Elstree Studios, a taxi reversed almost hitting her and her sister. She lashed at the window and screamed at the driver but was soon in tears and being consoled by her sibling. 

 

She explained the incident to Phillip Schofield on ITV’s This Morning, "I got a phone call earlier asking did I attack a taxi last night?! I said "no…" and I was wracking my brains to see where this came from then I remembered someone backing into me and my sister.

I remember going ‘whoa whoa whoa’ and banged on the door (of the cab) because I thought it was going to run over my feet, and somehow that’s turned into me "attacking a taxi"… but it was nothing more than that."

Mmmm… Not sure that I’m convinced.
She was nothing short of a hot cross bunny on the pap snaps and why not. If someone was about to run me over, I wouldn’t be sweetness and light either!

Drop the good girl image Em, we like your grit!
Pfff… Grit, ice, gettit?

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Selena x

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Live Blog – They’re Jumping!

Posted on February 28, 2010 by dancingoniceblog
 
The Dancing On Ice Live Blog is running now…

As always tap F5 to refresh as we go along and click to leave your views as each act performs. The skaters have been perfecting everything from flips to Flambos, will they be drastic or fantastic?

Click here to leave your views..

SHOW STARTS:

The show starts with news of Kieron’s accident.
Click here to read more…

It’s no surprise that the celebs are trying higher level tricks, they’ve all individually upped their game and the title is there for the taking.

Tonight’s required element is the unassisted jump. Each celebrity skater must leap from one foot to the other so that both feet are off the ice at the same time. They cannot be supported by their professional partner in any way.

…After presenting for the Winter Olympics, we welcome back our head judge Robin Cousins. Robin is looking for ‘air’ tonight. "I want to see both feet leaving the ice for the required jump and not just a little, a lot. I want to see some work!"

So who’s first?

Mikey Graham really wants to up his game. He’s convinced that the other guys are streets ahead and he wants to try the harder tricks and show the judges what he’s made of. He adds that he’s determined to put the hard work in to do it and bless him he’s not stopped this week, "I will do what is expected of me".

He doesn’t disappoint! They perform to Dancing In The Dark and they nail the unassisted element twice. Theey look amazing in fade to black costumes and I love the crossovers followed by the pull through combination. Nooo! Sadly he stumbles during his double lunge and drag and it’s a real shame as he’s completed that part of the routine over and over in training. Why can’t this poor guy just have a clean run? The nerves always seem to get the better of him.

13.5 points

Ah, Melanie reveals that Mikey had a terrible fall moments before the show began which threw his concentration. The producers show the footage and it’s a real knock – No wonder he was shaking like a leaf. He’s been recieving physio on his shoulder ever since… and still is now. The show must go on – well done lad.

Robin Cousins commends him, "I thought we’d turned a corner until the stumble, you were much more confident. There was so much in that routine but the complexity leaves you open so we can clearly see any errors." – I agree the content was far more difficult and his skating skills are much improved.

Even Jason Gardiner is sympathetic. "What can I say, this wasn’t your week. It wasn’t the progression that we were expecting and if you’re through to next week, I’m sure we’ll see the Mikey we know and love".

Karen nods… "That wasn’t the performance we were hoping for and it’s not the Mikey I know, he’ll be back next week!"

Daniella Westbrook knows that Hayley is her competition. She’s hoping to have ‘that’ performance tonight but dancing to I Beg You’re Pardon (I Didn’t Promise You A Rose Garden), I don’t think she’ll have it. I’ve never been a fan of the country music routines, they always seem so twee and cheesy.

Daniella’s also had injury issues with a trick knee and hamstring problems after two nasty slips. She’s taped up for tonight’s performance.

She looks visibly uncomfortable during the line dancing section at the start but seems to settle one the pair start to skate. There’s a somersault with saddle ride, mohawks and crossovers, the required element and an amazing neck spin.

22 points.

Emma Bunton isn’t impressed. "Every week you come out and give it everything and I love that childlike ‘no fear’ attitude, but it was missing that sparkle this week for me. You could se you were thinking about it" I agree Em.

Jason nods, "I thought that last week you had the best performance on the night, but not this week. During the ho-down section at the start there was no commitment or bounce and your leg lines were off. I know you can do better!"

Karen disagreed and thought it did have something special. She added that the content and lifts that Daniella attempts show off her talent and gusto.

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Poor Kieron, he’s had a terrible accident this week. He hit the ice with such force it was shocking to witness.
Click here to read more…

Regardless of slicing his face open, he was determined to get back on the ice. After trying and trying to perfect the Axel, will he pull it off on the night?

Kieron and Brianne perform to Careless Whisper and I have to say, I’m more than impressed by how dedicated this young man is. He’s really got into it and his rhythm has improved no end since his initial robotic moves.

There’s the adapted required element (quarter axel with two footed landing), a roll up into swallow dive, samba moves and an aeroplane spin – Great job. To do that performance after the week he’s had he should get top marks, but he wont…

18.5 points

Kieron is happy with how it went considering that this week has been ‘hell’.

Nicky Slater is impressed. "You’ve gone from the guy who said ‘I’m too weak to do the lifts’ to the guy who has inner steel! It was a good effort with the axel but there were a few stutters. What I like is your character, you cover the ice well, the lifts are good and you are daring… It’s the daring that I admire.

Emma Bunton is gushing! "I really feel that you have made such amazing progress, I know the week you have had makes it scary but I really enjoy watching you."

Robin Cousins is more happy that Kieron tried. "You made a Quarter Axel and the speed on the ice is amazing, you could have just said no after this week, but you came out and gave it everything." 

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Emily Atack won’t be beat. She knows she’s at the back of the pack and she’s hoping to give the others a run for their money this week.  

Emily and Fred dance to De Do Run Run and it’s a packed routine, by far her most challenging. There’s a three turn with leading arms, the required element, step sequence and helicopter spin – how fast is Fred spinning her? Oops, she nearly falls at the finish she’s so dizzy!

18.5 points
She’s chuffed to bits!

Jason marks her the lowest. "I’m still getting no performance from you. You give me nothing, there’s nothing, no emotion and the movements during the choreography are very lazy. I’m very disappointed in you." Ouch! I thought it was her best yet and Emma agrees…

"You do have emotion, I love your cheeky little moments. That spin at the end shows that you are gaining confidence and you trust your partner, you’ve definitely improved from last week."

Well said!

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Danny Young is another competitor who has been desperate to up his game. After being in the skate-off previously he asked coach Karen Barber to help him gain some speed during training. She came to the rescue with skating leads (which tie between hand and skates to improve posture and movement across the ice) – and boy does it do the trick.

The pair skate to I Say Yeah Yeah and there are two pencil lifts with rotation, a table top, a pull through with see saw and the required toe loop. Wow! What can I say, massive improvement. He’s so much more refined in his movement and so much faster.

22 points!
Yes! He’s finally broke the 17 point barrier and he lifts Frankie skyward.

Nicky Slater is overjoyed. "I gave you an extra point five because the jump was so good and how you held it at the end. If anything you skated it even faster in rehearsal so this was a little held back for me, but the movement was great, the coverage on the ice… this is such a break through for you."

Karen Barber is so proud. "I need a week off, we worked so hard. All you needed was to see what was missing from your performance, you worked on it and it was all there tonight."

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Tamaddon Time!
This week Hayley’s been working on speed and it’s been difficult for her to grasp after so many slow romatic numbers.

Hayley and Dan dance to Don’t Stop Believin’ and again it’s a smooth connected performance – these two are a pair made in heaven. There’s a waltz jump-toe loop combination, a shoulder drop into wrap around and a cracking little toe pick spin to finish. Go on Tammers!

25.5 points
With a 5.5 from Karen.

Robin is more than happy, "I’m glad you are concentrating as much on what’s happening with your feet now as you were on presentation. There were a few little glitches but you’re getting there." Emma adores the relationship between Dan and Hayley and thinks it’s growing from strength to strength – Do you hear wedding bells? Is it time to buy a hat?

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Gary Lucy stepped it up a notch last week and he’s under pressure to keep that going. Jayne and Chris have chosen The Race for him to perform to and just wait till you see the routine – to say it’s fast is an understatement, he was knackered and fell after one run through!

This could go one of two ways guys…

Ah, it was good fun but there were a few trips. I was terrified during the one hand rotating lift, Maria had balls to stay down there as Gary slid around – he held it together though and stayed up so all credit to him. There was a bob sleigh sequence, the required element and slalom section.

21 points.

Nicky was hoping for more but all of the judges agree that the comedic choreography was fantastic. "People were shouting when you were doing that lift as Maria’s head was so close to the barrier. Your speed is fantastic on the ice, but you’re skating out of the rink now. You need to just get a grip of those edges and control it."

Jason wanted more, "I was hoping for a sense of urgency from this. I wanted excitement and something to getthe pulse racing. That’s something I want you to work on".

I enjoyed how Jayne and Chris mirrored different sports in the routine but was too nervous after that wobbly lift to take them in. How about you?

Click here to leave your views..

See you back here for the skate-off…

Not that I’m bias but VOTE MIKEY PEEPS!
We don’t want him to go out tonight.

Selena x

THE SKATE OFF:

Through to next week are…

Danny Young
Hayley Tamaddon
Gary Lucy
Kieron Richardson

and…
Mikey Grahame – YES!

What a shocker!
It’s bye bye to Emily tonight, it has to be. Daniella is in a different league. I guess the audience didn’t like the country element like me.

Daniella’s up first and she performs out of her skin, it’s a great skate. She loses balance once, but fights it – great under pressure and she acts it better this time around.

Emily does well during the first loop, but trips during the second. It wouldn’t have been that obvious but her mouth fell open. She landed the lift better during the finish though… Emily is close to tears, I think she knows it’s time for her to go.

I thought it would be a clean sweep but Nicky voted to keep Emily. With four votes Daniella goes through to next week. Head Judge Robin Cousins confirms that Daniella’s skate was ‘more secure’ and Jason adds ‘there were mistakes from both skaters so it was all on the performance’.

Emily is disappointed but humble in defeat. "I’ve had the most unbelievable time. I’m not saying this to be cheesy but it’s changed my life – the discipline. It’s been such a pleasure working with everyone."

Did the right skater go?
Who did you hope for?
…and who would you like to see make the final?

Click here to leave your views..

Selena x

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Kieron Sliced in Axel Accident!

Posted on February 28, 2010 by dancingoniceblog
 

Kieron Richardson has suffered one of the worst injuries on Dancing On Ice since Michael Underwood snapped his ankle during Series 3.

After the skaters were given this week’s required element – the unassisted jump, Kieron had ideas of his own and decided to attempt the Axel!

Don’t try this at home peeps! Remember: We haven’t seen this on Dancing on Ice since finalist Chris Fountain perfected it.

Needless to say, things did not go well in training and after slips and trips aplenty, Kieron came a cropper and was carried from the ice by medics for emergency stitches for a sliced face. His lip was gushing and he was both shocked and pale.

It’s bad news for Kieron, worrying for partner Brianne and a catastrophe for Hollyoaks writers as Kieron was supposed to be filming this week! Get well soon Kieron, I’m sure the Hollyoaks guys will be able to write in your gash somehow… your character is a bad boy after all.

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Selena x

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Live Blog

Posted on February 21, 2010 by dancingoniceblog
 
The Dancing On Ice Live Blog is running now…

As always tap F5 to refresh as we go along and click to leave your views as each act performs. The skaters have been perfecting everything from flips to Flambos, will they be drastic or fantastic?

Click here to leave your views..

SHOW STARTS:

So as we hit the half way mark, Daniella seems to be upping her game and Hayley has a lot to prove after last week’s stunning performance…
Who do you think will make the final and who will be next to go?

Click here to leave your views..

We kick things off with a preppy performance from Jayne and Chris. Like two ships that pass in the night they skip across the ice and the mirror step sequence they repeat throughout is killer.

Tonight’s required element is the Individual Start and End Position. Each partnership must start and end in the same position and make their choice of pose as original as possible.

Karen Barber is our stand in head judge tonight and our guest judge is none other than the original presenter of Come Dancing, Angela Ripon. Go on Ange! I can’t take her seriously since she did that dance sketch with Morecambe and Wise – Classic.

First up to skate is Kieron Richardson and Brianne. The pair are punking out to The Buzzcocks Ever Fallen In Love and there’s no doubt that Kieron looks the part with that mohawk! I wonder if he’ll be performing any mohawks as well?

WOW! The routine is erratic, but fast and attitude packed – so much attack. He’s sooo getting into this! You can see he’s loving every minute. There’s a front crawl start, back somersault into teapot flip… a tiny stumble and the dance sequence. Finally, the pair fling themselves onto the judges desk at the end for their finale.

He’s overjoyed to receive 19.5.
4’s from every judge but Jason – Shock!

Jason loved the opening and ending and thought it was inventive and Karen commends him for his gusto. Jaycen’s only critique is that he needs to watch himself when coming out of the lifts.

Angela Ripon gives Kieron a gold star, "you are the competitor who has admitted he can’t dance, can’t skate and has never done anything like this. You gave that everything and I though that was great!"

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Oh dear, Sharron Davies has just had enough hasn’t she? She doesn’t like this week’s track, I Want Candy. She thinks it’s too fast and is not happy that the speed could hinder her – (Wah! Wah!) No in all seriousness, she’s still struggling with her back and shoulder injuries.

As the pain increases throughout training she comes to a point where she has to decide if she hangs up her skates or not. It seems to have more to do with the track if you ask me. From what she has to say it’s a nightmare for her… Will Chris and Jayne fold and change it?

The answer… Yes.
Sharron and Pavel perform to Stay and to say it’s a completely different tempo is an understatement. They’ve managed to go from Linford to Lollop! Zzzzz…

Although the performance element was soft and delicate, it didn’t have the va-va-voom that I Want Candy would have had. There’s a teapot, a roll up, a mermaid lift and Statue of Liberty pose – Bleugh.. wet, wet, wet! But hey, she is trying to deal with an injury.

16 points

Emma Bunton is not impressed. "I thought yu would be a real competitor with your background, but it’s like you’re not trying hard enough. Your skating is much smoother but it’s like de ja vu for me each week in a different outfit. If you are here next week, I strongly suggest that you perform the program that Jayne and Chris suggest."

After last week’s angelic performance, I’m intrigued to see what Daniella comes up with this time around.

Her and Matthew are perfoming to Dusty’s You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me and although the track suits, I would have liked to see her perform to a more passionate track – More ‘umph’ required for these two.

LOL! That was hilarious. They perform in classic sixties garb and the routine is pure tongue in cheek. I love the wink and point start!

There’s a dramatic start as she flings her legs round Matthew’s throat and they both kick butt with their dance sequence, lunges and flips. Eek – They struggle to get the float spin finish up (she bumps on the ice) but they make it.

24 points

Jayne Torvill thought that Daniella was perfect for a comedic performance.

Angela is overjoyed, "I loved it, you told a story – the lifts were fantastic. Great dancing technique as well as good skating – we were willing you to get that float spin up."

Jason commends her performance, "even though at times you looked a little psychotic. You are what we’re looking for when we’re talking about people going all the way. It’s your attitude."

Nicky Slater enjoyed her coverage of the ice, but warns her to watch her crossovers as they are two footed.

Danny Young and Frankie Poultney look like they’ve stepped off the steps of Rydell High. Is Grease the word? They perform to Cherie Baby and it’s a much better performance than last week. He gives it his all and they ‘hop’ around in their bobby socks till they can do no more. I just hope he can finally get over that 17 points mark.

There’s a counter balance, a rotating hip spin and an impressive curl around the neck with venetian roll down.

Poor guy, he lands 17 points again. It’s all down to Nicky Slater as he gives just 2.5. Emma Bunton is gobsmacked as she thought it was both inventive and strong but Nicky says it’s "not good" for him and the tricks are still clearly seperate. He advises that Danny take the criticism on board and Emma disagrees. "I think he’s one competitor who has took constructive criticism!"

Nicky is booed into silence by the audience.
He’s not a happy bunny… Shame.

It’s Tamaddon Time!
I guess the problem when you’re top of the leader board week after week is that you’ve got a long way to fall, but Hayley is such a pocket rocket she’s rising to the challenge time after time.

Hayley and Dan perform to Get Happy and the starting position is so inventive, they drape on the judges desk and treat the panel to a series of high Hollywood kicks.

There’s a back crawl, an assisted split jump, superb step sequence and a magic carpet ride finish – and to think Dan sells carpets as a day job. I enjoyed that, a real step back to a bygone era – so glam!

26 for the second week running.

The judges reveal that the scores would have been higher, but there was a slight slip and she missed the third part of her three turn. Jason adds that he marked Hayley lower than Daniella as Hayley "messed up" while Daniella didn’t. "Other than that they both gave solid performances all the way through."

Emily Atack loves her track this week. She’s performing to Bad Boys and even snaffled some pointers from Alexandra Burke herself!

I’m disappointed to see the pair in pink! For such a sultry song, I was hoping for scarlet or black to match the atmos. Mmm… Should I say what atmos? She’s concentrating too much again. Alexandra told hr to flirt with Fred like he was her bad boy and she barely looks at him. The ending has pop as she lays back and tickles his hair, but there’s little in the way of sauce. Think of the Bad Boys video, this was not an homage – anything but.

There’s a cartwheel lift with drag exit, a dance sequence and tabletop lift… Still her best routine.

17.5 points and she’s pleased.

Karen nods and thinks they are getting there slowly. Angela awarded her a 4 as she loved the lifts. "But I thought for the song Bad Boys you were rather a good girl. You could have given it even more sex appeal, you’ve got it girl – sell it!"

Jason agrees with me. "I must have been watching something completely different. I didn’t see sex appeal at all, there was little flirtation." Is it bad that I agree with Gardiner for once?

NEXT!

Gary Lucy’s had a tough week. He’s suffered a knee injury after slipping on the ice in training and has visited the hospital for both X-Rays and scans. He battles through regardless of missing training for most of the week – I wonder if the routine will suffer. It has to, doesn’t it?

The pair elegantly float across the ice in spearmint and although Gary struggles as he exits each lift, he managed the whole routine without fault. As they finish partner Maria applauds him…

There’s an angel lift, a rotating fish lift (with spin) and the dreaded wrist ripper.

22.5 – well deserved.
Maria is so proud of him after such a nasty injury.
Gary thanks his physio who worked wonders.

Emma beams, "I love the way you threw Maria around and I got it tonight. I thought you were quite sexy too."

Nicky turns his attention to the skating. "I can see your skating out and the lifts are improving. It’s stepping up for me, there are still wobbles but there’s improvement."

Eugh! Sorry Jane and Chris but not Ring Of Fire please!!! The judges wanted more performance from Mikey Grahame and it looks like that’s what they’re gonna get, whether they like it or not.

God, they’ve even taken him line dancing to get him into the swing of the country tempo – no, no, no. I hope this is funny and not a farce.

I’m impressed. The step sequence was a little cheesy, but I loved the gazelle lifts and the lasso element. Did you see Melanie spin – Reel her in Mikey. Yeeeehaw!

18.5 points

Angela thought the dance elements were lacklustre and under-performed but Karen disagrees. "It was yee-ha for me. I just want to see you doing more difficult lifts now to build confidence." Jason agrees, he’s happy that Mikey is happy to take the mickey out of himself and not take things too seriously. "I’m still seeing the thought process though."

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Did anyone else think tonight’s show was a little bland? See you back here for the skate-off peeps… Who goes?

Jason just said on Twitter: "Finally Sharron’s true colours came thru. I am appalled at her disrepect toward Jayne & Chris. Bad sport diva brat. She’s got to go!!"

THE SKATE OFF:

Through to next week are:

Hayley Tamaddon
Kieron Richardson
Gary Lucy
Daniella Westbrook
Mikey Grahame
and…
Danny Young!

So it’s Sharron and Emily in the skate off and after her wrist slapping from the judges about not listening to Jayne and Chris, I think it will be Sharron’s time. Emily would probably have to fall and fall not to survive…

Sharron does her best but Emily skates far better under pressure. It’s a clean sweep. Sharon smiles, "I’ve enjoyed every minute of this program and I think if we’d done the fast numbers we probably wouldn’t have got this far. This is a wonderful man (Pavel) and I’ve enjoyed skating with him so much and these guys (the judges) have been great fun."

So did the right skater go tonight?
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Selena x

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Gary Lucy Out?

Posted on February 20, 2010 by dancingoniceblog
 
Gary Lucy’s future on Dancing On Ice has been called into question as he’s suffered a terrible knee injury during rehearsals…

The Bill star is in "excruciating pain" after slipping on the ice on Thursday, and has been unable to train since. He is to return to hospital for X-Rays on Saturday and doctors will determine whether he is fit to skate on Sunday’s show.

It is the second week that the star has been forced to miss training, as he and partner Maria Filippov were knocked down with a stomach bug before the Valentine’s Special.

Will Gary be fit for Sunday’s show?
Will he be offered a week’s grace?
Or will he be forced to retire and a new skater take his place?

I’ll keep you posted.

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Selena x

 
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Rinkside Romance…

Posted on February 18, 2010 by dancingoniceblog
 
The Valentines Special proved to be a sensation for all involved…

As well as love being in the air for the pros and celebs, the audience rinkside were treated to a live proposal and new judge Michael Ball fell for his favourite…

While we were waiting patiently for the ads to finish before the skate-off, Dancing On Ice runner Tom was on bended knee proposing live to his long term girlfriend, Goulin… and the good news is she said YES! I have to say, I nearly blubbed. It was truly genuine and romantic, check it out here (1m.50s). Congratulations guys – bless ’em.

 
But back to the skating…
Michael Ball loved his first week as a judge but was surprised by how watching live, you hear the sound of the skates. "It’s scary stuff, you realise that’s a hard surface. It’s dangerous! At home with the music you can’t hear that."
He then went on to explain his position. "I’m there to judge the presentation. It was like when Karen was talking about blade edges during the shadow steps. I could see where there was a problem with the coordination, but I didn’t know what the technical issue was. What was important to me was being a couple and having that connection on stage."
 
Michael was most impressed with Hayley Tamaddon. He’s fallen for her hook, line and sinker… "What’s interesting for us is that we get to see the rehearsal. You could see her living it and loving it and you never see her thinking about what’s coming next. There was a lovely moment where she lays her hand around his head, her arms, every extension was perfect. Hayley was the only one who came out during her rehearsal and gave exactly the same performance. It was faultless, you believed the love and the relationship between them."
 
Did Hayley melt your heart on Sunday?
Or did you prefer Daniella’s angelic performance?
Should her scores have been higher?

Click here to leave your views…

 
See you back here soon with all the news from training…

Selena x

Selena Ledgerton
MSN Reality TV

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Live Blog – Valentine Special

Posted on February 14, 2010 by dancingoniceblog
 
The Dancing On Ice Live Blog is running now…

As always tap F5 to refresh as we go along and click to leave your views as each act performs. The skaters have been perfecting everything from flips to Flambos, will they be drastic or fantastic?

Love is in the air tonight as each performance is following a Valentine’s Day theme. Who will get your heart racing and who will make you wanna reach for the bucket?

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SHOW STARTS:

We kick things of with an amazing group performance to Power Of Love by Huey Lewis and the News. The pros and celebs were great and kept it together well (considering they’ve had two routines to learn this week), but as always it was legends Jayne and Chris who stole the show.

Did you see the cupids bow lift?
Amazing!
Jayne flipped upside down with one leg folded round Chris’s neck. Chris took her hands and opened her arms to create a human bow. Do these guys ever stop surprising you, they get me every time – love em!

Tonight’s required element is the Shadow Step Sequence. Both skaters must perform a section of their routine in unison, mirroring their partner. The judges will be looking for precision here guys!

Guest Judge Michael Ball is looking forward to his stint on Dancing On Ice. "I am so excited to be here I love the show. As it’s Valentines Day I’m looking for that connection. I don’t want to see two people on the ice, I want to see one."

How do you think Bally will work as a judge?
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First to skate tonight is Daniella Westbrook and she’s performing to You’ve Got The Love. The routine is fast and fluid and I’m impressed as she seems to be digging so much deeper. There’s a combination lift, tuck into full upside down sash and the required element. I love the ending, passionate but almost angelic. They’re like lovers floating in the clouds… (Eugh! Did I just really say that?)

20 points with 4’s right across the board.

Karen Barber says it all, "you have such conviction when you skate. You are the dark horse of this competition."

Michael Ball is happy that things have clicked for this pair. "You say you love it and you can tell that you love it. It’s one of the most important things, you can see it in your eyes."

Jason agrees wholeheartedly, but wants to fine-tune Daniella now she’s come so far. He advises her on leg lines and posture as she is doing so well and wants her to improve. In other words, he’s a fan – he has to be, he’s being nice!

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Next up we have Danny Young and he and Frankie have had an action packed week. They’ve had to learn three new lifts and a complicated shadow step sequence… Fast and furious!

The pair dance to Higher and Higher and the routine has real POP! Their only downfall is that it doesn’t have the emotion of Daniella’s performance – they didn’t ‘become one’ for me… I wonder if Michael will pick up on that.

There are floating cartwheels, crossovers, mohawks into drags, the shadow step sequence with twists and an aeroplane spin.

17 points again!
That was a massive improvement from last week, he deserved more.

Jason Gardiner explains that Danny’s marks are not improving as his moves are constantly unfinished.

Holly points out that Danny has improved week after week and asks Nicky why there’s no change in marks. Nicky agrees with Jason and says that although his elements are difficult and he does them well, "there is no seamlessness… I’m looking from the bottom up and you will perform an element and then there’s a gap. If you can correct that, you’re marks will improve."

Snore! Give the guy a break!

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Emily Atack has had a difficult week. She’s really starting to feel the pressure of the competition and the pain that goes with it. She’s suffered a back and rib injury and it’s been too painful for her to skate at times.

Sadly, there’s a side lift in this week’s routine that virtually cripples her to perform. She’s been in agony all week and has never reached the end of the routine.

She’s pleased as punch to complete it tonight! Well done Emily, she sucked it up and fought through. They look a picture in gold as they dance to Saving All My Love For You. There’s an assisted back inside spiral, grecian statue pose, layout side lift and the required element but I don’t think it’s a patch on last week – you can see she’s struggling.

13.5 points – Ouch!

Judge Emma Bunton is disappointed, "this was not as good as last week. Your transitions were not smooth in fact they were a bit messy."

Michael commends her bravery. "You dug deep and you went out and gave us a performance. You were a bit passive in the performance and I was looking for more passion."

Emily’s skating skills are improving week by week, especially when skating alone but she needs to work on her face. Her expression is always the same and I thought she’d broken the cycle last week – unfortunately that blank look is back.

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Come on Mikey!
I really want this poor guy to give us a clean run, he’s been either too nervous or just plain unlucky. Fingers crossed…

He and Melanie perform to Love On A Mountain Top – the pace is so fast but they manage to keep it up. Apart from missing one spin and catching up with Mel, there are no slips or wobbles.

There are mohawks, back crossovers, an embrace, the shadow step sequence, spirals in opposition and a final stag position – WOW!

18.5 – Well deserved

Nicky is pleased, "that was a massive improvement from last week. Those spreadeagle moves you love so much work well for me. I’m really impresed by your speed and coverage of the ice."

Emma is over the moon that he got through it, but is looking for more. "I want to see the confidence you had in the first few weeks. That Irish charm is missing and I want more performance."

I think that Mikey could fly with the right track and routine. He just needs to have that one moment where it all clicks and then that will be it. Remember Stefan Booth performing Mr Bojangles… Just like that.

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It’s another tough week for Sharron Davies as Chris and Jayne have given her a faster track with a lot of choreograhy. They had to adapt a few of the moves though, as she has an old injury from her swimming days that can cause her left shoulder to pop – ouch!

Sharron and Pavel perform to We Dream The Same Dreams and much as it’s packed with tricks and lifts, there’s stil that stiffness that she just can’t seem to shake.

There’s a lunge into knee slide, a pendulum spin, a pull through into the required step sequence and finally the neck ripper. Her transitions were better this time around and some of those landings were difficult.

15 points

Judge Michael tells Sharon that she is an amazing physical specimen, "but if you were just to lift your head up. If you watch it back you’ll see that your head is always forward and it ruins the line. If you just lifted your head up, you would be so imposing…"

As always Jason is cutting. "It’s mechanical, you have no emotion at all. It’s stiff and I agree with Michael, you’re lines are bent and you need to lift yourself up. You can’t just hang there because Pavel is holding you."

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After last week’s fall, it’s been hard for Hayley Tamaddon to build her confidence back up, but I’m sure she’ll come out fighting and be determined to get it bob on!

Dan and Hayley perform to Endless Love and it’s both touching and elegant. There’s no question that these two ‘are one’. The shadow step sequence is beautiful and as they come to the end, Hayley’s face says it all – she’s beaming. This really was their moment – it was so romantic.

There was a catch spiral into swooping lift, the required element and a gorgeous drape levitation… Oh my, they’ve both welled up – Bless…

26 points!
Two judges marked 5.5 – one of them was Jason!!!

Judge Karen is in tears, "As judges we have to submit a mark, but you touched me. That was just so emotional, I’m so proud of you both."

Jason is overjoyed. "Hayley that was simply, sublime. I felt every emotion and you reacted to every touch. Everything was beautifully placed, you uncurled infront of my eyes, I felt the love between you tonight."

Hayley is overwhelmed and Dan explains, "we just looked into each others eyes and filled up. It was a really emotional piece for us, so thank you."

I loved it!

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Arrr… enough is enough now.
Time for the Doc to head back to surgery.

Dr Hilary performs to Higher Love and (much as I love him) it’s miles away in content and skill from any of the other skaters. He’s trying but it’s not enough. There are rotating lunges, the required shadow step sequence and ballet hops with a split.

12 points

That’s a little unfair to be honest.
Emily’s routine was so much more difficult and there’s not much difference in marks.

Emma Bunton is honest, "I think you have done great things, but I don’t think this competition can start with you in it."

Nicky Slater agrees, "there were elements of Todd Carty in that routine. You need more passion and attack in what you are doing."

Time to go home now…
I agree with Baby Bunton.

How funny! Did you see Phil Schofield point out his fans in the crowd? Their banner reads: ‘We love the silver fox!’ Go one Schof!

I’ve got my fingers crossed for Kieron Richardson this week. He shouldn’t have been in the bottom two last week and he’s rehearsed like crazy this week, regardless of working a full week too.

They dance to I Don’t Know Much, But I Know I Love You and I have to say he’s like a different guy on the ice. His confidence is up and it’s both touching and emotional.

There’s alternating three turns, back crossovers, the required step sequence and a cupids bow lift.

19.5 points and it’s no surprise
He’s gobsmacked!

Nicky commends him for his movement across the ice and how much speed he can generate from his crossovers. Michael is more than convinced by the couples relationship and hopes he makes it through to next week as he’s "a different skater tonight". I agree, somethng has clicked.

Kieron jokes that he tried his best as really wants to wear the costume he has for next week. But the pros are having none of it and they’re the first to say that Kieron’s had a major attitude change after giving up on himself last week. Well done.

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Could this be the night when the public get it right?
Will we finally get the celebs who deserve to go in the bottom two?

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Last but not least we have Gary Lucy and after Nicky Slater’s comments last week, he’s hoping to bring out ‘the showman’. From the sounds of it, he’s going to try his best: "I’ve played romantic leads in other shows, so I just have to try and get that across".

Maria and Gary float across the ice to My Cherie Amour and in marshmallow pink, they co-ordinate with the hearts scattering the studio.

The routine is packed and he sells it in both eyes and face. There are waltz jumps, a roll up to shoulder with swallow dive and a counter-balance.

21 points!

Nicky is beaming, "I was so impressed from the start, you were the leading man – in places it was seamless."

Was Gary your leading man tonight?
Or maybe Dan and Hayley snatched your heart?
Did the Doc get your pulse racing?

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CELEBRITY SCORE
1 HAYLEY TAMADDON 26
2 GARY LUCY 21
3 DANIELLA WESTBROOK 20
4 KIERON RICHARDSON 19.5
5 MIKEY GRAHAM 18.5
6 DANNY YOUNG 17
7 SHARRON DAVIES 15
8 EMILY ATACK 13.5
9 DR HILARY JONES 12

See you in an hour for the skate-off!

THE SKATE OFF:

We’re back and if you want my opinion, I think it will be either the Doc and Emily or the Doc and Sharron. How about you?

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Through to next week are:

Emily and Fred (Emily screams with joy!)
Sharron and Pavel
If the Doc goes through we’ve got a problem..
Mikey and Melanie
Hayley and Daniel
Daniella and Matthew
Gary and Maria
…and finally Kieron and Brianne

So the bottom two are Danny Young and Dr Hilary. There’s no question is there?

Danny and Frankie throw everything they’ve got at their second performance and I’m surprised that Danny is so nervous and over-cautious. Dr Hilary tries his best but what he has in charisma and personality he lacks in skill.

We love you Doc, but the prognosis isn’t good.

It’s a clean sweep from the judges and Dr Hilary leaves us tonight. Well done Joe Public, you did the right thing.

Dr Hilary is the first to say that the standard of skating is so high, "everyone has been brilliant and it’s been great to get to know everyone and work with Jayne and Chris. I’ve loved it – great, great, show! It was the right decision, Danny is a far better skater than I." What a guy!

Click here to leave your views..

See you back here soon with all the news from training…

Selena x

Selena Ledgerton
MSN Reality TV

IMAGES: ITV / PA IMAGES

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