25 March 2010
And then there were three!
The final four – Gary, Danniella, Hayley and Kieron all went head to head to secure a place in next week’s Dancing On Ice final, and it was nail-biting to witness! This week’s required skating element was a solo spot of at least 30 seconds and you can bet that the judges were watching with hawk eyes, scrutinising the skaters’ every move…
Gary Lucy managed to get through to the final with his performance that featured such impressive moves as a crucifix lift, barrel rolls and the wrist ripper (which thankfully isn’t as brutal as it sounds!). The repertoire helped Gary and partner Maria Filippov gain their highest score of the entire series, 24.5, and, despite a fall later on in the show, they are finalists.
As if there was ever any doubt, Hayley and partner Dan dazzled their way in to next week’s final without any problems whatsoever. Danniella’s shift up to the top spot last week seemed to have spurned on Hayley even more, and she and Dan’s performance this week was mightily impressive, with pro skater Robin awarding them the maximum score of 6. Jason summed up their performance as ‘sublime’ and ‘exemplary’.
Kieron’s dance divided the judges with some commending how far his skating has developed throughout the show and some (OK, just Jason) being, shall we say, being less complimentary. “The solo spot, I thought you performed it rather ugly. You were doubled-over, it was hunched. Okay, yes you skate very well, but it is your arm movements and presentation that really let you down on this one. I’m sorry, I wasn’t impressed”. Ouch! Scoring 23 proved to be enough to help him through to next week’s final though.
It was Danniella and Gary who found themselves in the penultimate Skate Off of the series, with Gary narrowly pipping the former EastEnder to the post. The judges heaped praise on her dancing but it was Gary who they opted to save. Even though she was sad to be leaving the competition, Danniella remained upbeat and paid tribute to the excellent skating skills of the remaining three, saying “It’s going to be a great final!”
Make sure you tune in to ITV1 at 7.45pm next Sunday for the glittering extravaganza and to find out who’ll be this year’s Dancing On Ice champion! Expect jaw-dropping skating, tense moments and many sequins!
