It was the start of the new series of Dancing On Ice with a break from tradition with the twelve contestants included in the opening dance sequence. We have four judges this year, one more than last year, with only Robin Cousins featuring from the last series. Jason Gardiner and Karen Barber returned as judges after a break with Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts adding some youth appeal.
Matt Lapinskas and Brianne Delcourt impressed as the strongest of the six couples skating in week 1 as they scored 24 in their opening dance. Beth Tweddle and Daniel Whiston were second on the leaderboard with Pamela Anderson and Matt Evers a surprise third place after the judges scores. Six couple skated in week 1 with the remaining six couples scheduled to perform in week 2.
(Image courtesy of ITV)
(images courtesy of ITV)
Samia Ghadie and Sylvain Longchambon opened the show with a creditable 17.5 skating to Rhianna’s Diamonds.
Robin: Great potential
Ashley: A diamond sparkling on the ice
Jason: A lot of work to be done. You need to work on your arms. It was like swatting flies.
Karen: I can see you have been getting better every week in training.
(Image courtesy of ITV)
Keith Chegwin and Olga Sharutenko were next up, skating to Things Can Only Get Better. He broke a shoulder and cracked three ribs before having to drop out of last year’s series. A solid but not spectacular score of 15.5 put him under pressure and he will need the viewers vote to survive this week.
Ashley: A little ball of fun and energy
Karen: I’m relieved he is in one piece. That had character. Technically not bad at all.
Jason: Things couldn’t get any worse with your presentation. You need attack and purpose. You are a capable skater but you need to work on your presentation.
Keith: Rough around the edges but there wasn’t anyone around here who wasn’t smiling.
(Image courtesy of ITV)
Beth Tweddle and Daniel Whiston were the third couple to perform, to Anything Can Happen. As the bookies pre-series favourite they were expected to impress and they did. A score of 21 was a good start. Good technique but a little rigid from Beth – she said she had her “game face” on. She will no doubt raise her game in future weeks as she adapts to performing.
Karen: Fantastic performance for week 1
Jason: Unfortunately I was bored to “Beth”. I’m used to seeing people who are flexible. It was very robotic. You need to get more fluidity.
Robin: You will learn to lose the tension. You were spot on tonight.
Ashley: Coming from a performance background I want to see some sassiness coming out
(Image courtesy of ITV)
Matt Lapinskas and Brianne Delcourt were the fourth couple to skate, performing to Turn Up The Music. An impressive start for their first skate which earned them a score of 24 and took to ther top of the leaderboard.
Ashley: Amazing
Jason: That was amazing. I enjoyed the energy and conviction. The two of you work well together
Robin: I like the edginess about you as a performer. You do have to keep that edge in control as you have precious cargo in your hands. It was great.
Karen: An exciting performance, You are one of the top runners.
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Shayne Ward and Maria Filippov were next up, skating to Too Close. A score of 16 put Shayne in the bottom two with just one skater to go. The comments from the judges hinted that maybe Shayne hadn’t put as much training in as he needed to.
Jason: It started off well but then the routine started to get away from you. I know its week 1 but you need to watch your shoulders. If you apply yourself it may help with posture
Karen: It’s time on the ice you need. You have improved in training
Ashley: Keep the intensity going
Robin: Watch the footwork and watch your posture. Become the man on the ice.
(Image courtesy of ITV)
Pamela Anderson and Matt Evers closed the show, skating to Read All About It. A score of 18.5 was very creditable and took her to third on the leaderboard. Pamela Anderson was the surprise of the week. If she can capture the viewer vote and build on this performance she could go further.
Robin: It was good, every crossover was correct and the partnership was beautiful
Jason: Overall not too bad but it is inconsistent. There are moments when it’s incredibly beautiful and then moments when it goes awry
Ashley: We want to see you apply your personality on the ice
Karen: I can see the potential, when you relax you do so well.
See full scoring results for Dancing On Ice
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