Dancing On Ice came to a sparkling finish on Sunday night as the final three celebrities donned their skates for one last hurray.
Tensions rose in the skating competition as Joey Essex skated with his partner Vanessa Bauer, while Nile Wilson danced with Olivia Smart and The Vivienne skated with Colin Grafton.
Vivienne and Colin placed third during the final, leaving Nile and Joey skating the iconic Bolero.
While Nile made history as the first male contestant to headbanger during the grand finale.
He was awarded the maximum amount of points for the spectacular routine with the judges, Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Jayne Torvill and Chris Dean all awarding him 10 points.
Third: Vivienne and Colin placed third during the final, leaving Nile and Joey skating the iconic Bolero.
Tense: Dancing On Ice came to a sparkling finish on Sunday night as the final three celebrities donned their skates for one last hurray.
Dangerous: Nile made history as the first male contestant to headbanger during the grand finale
The headbanger, or spin bounce, sees a skater lifted off their ankle and spun by their partner.
Due to the potential danger, the move is prohibited by the International Skating Union (ISU), which governs competitive skating.
Performing the move at an ISU event will cause the judges to deduct points, but it can be used in routines for exhibition or show skating.
Speaking ahead of his routine, Nile said: ‘There will be eight other pros on the ice and it will be very, very intimidating. I need to blend in with them and not stand out.’
“A lot can go wrong in this routine, it’s the biggest challenge I’ve ever attempted on this show!”
Commenting on the routine, Ashley said, “After the week I know you’ve had, getting that routine clean with no mistakes is amazing.”
Oti said: “The passion, the emotion, the way you push yourself every week, this performance was worthy of a 10.”
La Vivienne was next with a jam-packed routine, skating to the beat of Katy Perry’s Dark Horse, and scoring a massive 40 points with her partner Colin.
After trashing the performance, the drag queen said, ‘I’ll remember this for the rest of my life!’
Oti said: “To me I’ve always thought you’re a great performer, but there’s something very special about you, thank you for showing us power and control.”
Chris added: “It was really nice to see him come together tonight, he was so strong, well done.”
Amazing: Awarded maximum points for spectacular routine with judges, Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Jayne Torvill and Chris Dean all giving 10
Impressive: Vivienne was next with a jam-packed routine, skating to the beat of Katy Perry’s Dark Horse, and scoring a massive 40 points with her partner Colin.
After trashing the performance, the drag queen said, ‘I’ll remember this for the rest of my life!’
Oti said: “To me I’ve always thought you’re a great performer, but there’s something very special about you, thank you for showing us power and control.”
Spectacular show: Joey Essex transformed into Hercules for his exhibition skate with his professional partner and girlfriend Vanessa
Radiant: Like Nile and The Vivienne, the couple also scored scores across the board and were praised by the judges.
Joey Essex transformed into Hercules for his exhibition skate with his pro partner and heartthrob Vanessa.
Like Nile and The Vivienne, the couple also scored scores across the board and were praised by the judges.
I have had the time of my life, this has been the best experience. I have enjoyed every day. It couldn’t have gone better,’ Joey said after his performance.
“I’m so proud of you brother, I really hope people can support you,” Judge Ashley Banjo admitted.
Christopher Dean added: “He really went from zero to hero tonight!”
Tonight’s three couples then took to the floor together to fight to stay in the competition, with only two couples managing to perform the Bolero.
The 2023 lineup then returned to the track, but when Holly and Phil introduced them, there was an awkward pause before Phil listened into his earpiece and announced that someone wasn’t ready.
Finale: Tensions rise at the skating competition as Joey Essex will perform with his partner Vanessa Bauer, Nile Wilson will dance with Olivia Smart, and The Vivienne will join Colin Grafton.
Glamorous: Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean seemed eager to get started
Stunning: DOI presenter Holly Willoughby looked incredible in a stunning silver Sophie Couture gown as she introduced the finalists alongside co-host Phillip Schofield
In the grand finale, the finalists and their fellow professionals performed three routines: an exhibition routine, a battle skate, and for the latter two, a Bolero.
Head judges and ice legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will be choreographing the exhibition routines, and the pair no doubt have high expectations of Nile as he pulls off the spectacular move.
Tonight, the winner depends exclusively on the audience and the voting is already open. Viewers can vote online up to five times for free.
DOI presenter Holly Willoughby looked amazing in a stunning silver Sophie Couture gown as she introduced the finalists alongside co-host Phillip Schofield.
DANCING ON ICE 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
PATSY PALMER
AGE: fifty
PROFESSION: actress and dj
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: “I’ve turned it down before because I was terrified, but when I turned 50 I made a pact to get out of my confrontation zone. ‘
EKIN-SU CULCULOGLU
AGE: 28
PROFESSION: love island star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I have incredible news to tell you. I’m so excited, I can’t wait to get on the ice and skate. Stay tuned and see you on the ice.
mollie gallagher
AGE: 24
PROFESSION: Actress
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: “I don’t have the best coordination, so when people find out they’ll laugh, but I don’t want to spend my life saying ‘I can’t do this, I can’t do that’.”
JOEY ESSEX
AGE: 32
PROFESSION: Former TOWIE star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited. I wanted something in my life with structure and it’s more serious than I usually do.’
carley stenson
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Actress and West End star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited to be able to learn to dance…on ice! I’m terrified but I can’t wait, I just want to make the most of this whole experience.”
SIVA KANESWARAN
AGE: 33
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: “I want to learn to skate and make my family proud of me and put on a show for all to see.”
John Fashanu
AGE: 60
PROFESSION: Former footballer and expert
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m definitely in it to win it. And this may be one of the scariest things I’ve ever signed up for, but I couldn’t be more up for the challenge!’
NILE WILSON
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: olympic gymnast
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I haven’t ice skated a lot, but I’m very excited for the opportunity. I’m so excited to get into that routine and feel like an athlete again.’
JAMES LEE WILLIAM AKA LA VIVIENNE
AGE: 29
PROFESSION: drag queen
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: “To be the first drag performer to take part in one of the UK’s biggest reality competitions is an honor and a big step forward for queer representation on TV.’
DARREN HARRIOT
PROFESSION: Funny
AGE: 3. 4
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I have giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance. My family has already placed bets, they are betting that I will fall in the first episode!
MICHELLE HEATON
AGE: 43
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: “I’ve always wanted to do it, but I know I never would have been able to complete anything because of the shape I was in 18 months ago, so I’m really thankful that I got it done this year when I’m here.” much stronger.
