3.1.14

Dancing On Ice - The Couples



This Sunday sees the launch of the last ever series of Dancing On Ice (blub) and it’s lined up to go out with a bang. This is no ordinary series of the hit ITV show, it’s an all star edition. With past winners, favourites and Todd Carty all sharpening their blades for one last time the competition will be bigger and better than ever. But who’s taking part…?

Bonnie Langford with Andrei Lipanov
(2006 – 3rd Place)
 Doing this again will be an adventure and I just want to have a lot of fun

It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen Bonnie take to the ice and it’s going to be interesting to see just how much she’s remembered. Incredibly popular first time around it’s no different now, you can see just by the Twitter reaction how many people are willing Bonnie to do well, and partnered with Andrei she won’t have any choice in the matter. She took a bit of persuading by Christopher Dean, who just so happens to be Bonnies dream skating partner, to get her skates back on as she knew what challenges lay ahead, after a few first day nerves she soon admitted she’s “started to enjoy it”.

Suzanne Shaw with Matt Evers
(2008 – 1st Place)
 The thing I am dreading the most is having to better myself

Suzanne was a surprise winner for many with most tipping favourite Chris Fountain to win however during the final Suzanne wowed audiences and took the ice trophy home. Her and Matt are great friends off the ice and if their connection comes out on the ice we’re in for some fantastic performances. Matt is an incredibly popular professional and no matter who he’s paired with he always seems to do well (pretend Pamela didn’t happen). Suzanne is keen to make her dad proud, who sadly passed away over a year ago as it was his favourite job she ever did. With this as raw motivation and the duo’s talents you’d be mad not to consider them up there with the favourites.

Zaraah Abrahams with Andy Buchanan
(2008 – 3rd place)
 It’s just suck an honour to take part and it’s such a lifetime experience. I am not thinking about winning as it is just so amazing to take part

It’s been 6 years since we saw Zaraah on the ice and she hasn’t kept up the skating since the show ended. She admits she’s spent more time on her bottom than her skates during training. The first time around Zaraah didn’t have a great deal of time to prepare as she joined later in the series replacing an injured Michael Underwood. More time may not be a good thing as she suffers terribly from nerves, however look how great she did last time, just imagine what all this extra time could do…

Hayley Tamaddon with Dan Whiston
(2010 – 1st Place)
 I want to try and feel relaxed and enjoy every second of it as it is the time we can do this

When you think of iconic Dancing On Ice duo’s the first pair that pop into most peoples heads is Hayley and Dan (Other than Torvill and Dean of course) and there’s a huge sense of excitement as they’re set to take to the ice once more. Favourites with most bookmakers and a large portion of DOI tweeters they’re certainly the ones to watch. Their Jai Ho routine is easily the most memorable from all the past series’ and they’ve been spotted rehearsing the iconic routine again, how exciting! Hayley took no persuading to sign up for another series as she immediately jumped at the chance, it’s nice having someone taking part on the show who loves it just as much as the audience at home.

Jorgie Porter with Sylvain Longchambon
(2012 – 2nd Place)
 It’s brilliant to be back and it’s so nice to learn and new skill and impress people

Jorgie was unlucky not to win first time around, her and Matt were an incredible partnership and their routines, particularly to ballads, were breathtaking. This time around she’s up again some popular past winners and has a different skating partner, not that we’d complain about getting stuck with Sylvain. It’s a bit of an odd pairing considering the history and connections these two have what with Sylvain having dates Jorgies’ friend and co-worker which resulted in a publicised spilt. However presuming they’re both professional they could be a duo to be reckoned with, handsome, check, beautiful, check, talented, check, popular, check. A winning combo?

Beth Tweddle with Lukasz Rozycki
(2013 – 1st Place)
 I am so lucky to have been given an opportunity that I have fallen in love with. I feel like I did when I was 9 years old. I am like a little kid in a sweet shop

The most recent winner Beth had everything going for her last time around, hugely popular professional partner and all the buzz off the back of the Olympics. This time around is a little different, although not necessarily in a bad way, partnered with Lukasz, who’s not one of the most well known pro’s, you’d be forgiven for thinking things weren’t looking as rosy, however if you’ve ever been to one of the Dancing On Ice live tours you’ll have seen Lukasz in all his glory during performances with his wife and know just how fantastic he is. Some of the lifts he creates are mind blowing and he’s just the person to see how far Beth can really go. This pair are our darkhorse pick for the win.

David Seamen with Frankie Poultney
(2006 – 4th Place)
 I was part of the first series and now I’m going to be part of the last one. That is really special

With many other contestant having places higher than David in their respective series’ you’d be forgiven for thinking he’s just there to make up the numbers, however this time around David has a secret weapon. He’s skating with his Fiancee, Frankie. With so much of the Sunday performance relying on chemistry and connection they’ve certainly got the edge on their competitors Since taking part in 2006 David has really kept up with skating, going twice a week with his very own pro, he’s definitely prepared.

Kyran Bracken with Nina Ulanova
(2007 – 1st Place)
 I missed it so much so when I got the call to see if I wanted to take part, I said yes straight away

Another hugely popular winner Kyran has kept his feet firmly on the ice since 2007 taking part in most of the live tours as well as creating his own show. However things haven’t been smooth sailing this series as Kyran fell during the early weeks of training and broke his foot, fearing he may not be able to take part. After 9 weeks of rest and healing however Kyran was able to get back onto the ice and put his all into training, only time will tell if this set back has effected this duo’s chances of winning.

Gareth Gates with Brianne Delcourt
(2008 – 4th Place)
 I am worried about facing the judges but I can only put in as much work as I can and see what happens

Having finished in 4th place back in 2008 Gareth may be up against it this time around with many of the other celebs placing higher. However he’s determined to get revenge this time around and win the show, wishful thinking? Maybe. He does however have a secret weapon, Brianne, she’s won the show before and always manages to bring the best out of her celebrity partners improving their basic skills and choreographic fantastic routines to highlight strengths. It’s going to be tough, but you never know.

Ray Quinn with Maria Filippov
(2009 – 1st Place)
This time I do want to attack a bit more. I want to be more daring and I really want to soak everything up.

Ray won back in 2009 with apparent ease, wowing week after week with impressive tricks and moves that had never been done on the show before he’s certainly got his own big skates to fill. Ever the perfectionist not much is different this time compared to last, same partner, doesn’t look a day older and willing to push himself, however now he’s a Dad, Ray says he’s going into the show with a whole new perspective. With his evident talent, perfect partner, ever growing popularity and a new found maturity he WILL be in the final.

Todd Carty with Alexandra Schauman
(2009 – 9th Place)
 I did it before and it turned out alright. I survived. I didn’t end up in A&E and if I don’t end up in A&E again, then that will be great

Well you can’t just have a line-up full of talent come you… Despite finishing 9th and bein best known for his lack of skill on the ice people are looking forward to seeing Todd back on the show just as much as the previous winners. If he makes us laugh half as much as last time his purpose will have been served. Todd has teased that he might not be quite as bad as people are expecting having put in plenty of practice we may all be surprised on his improvement.

Gary Lucy with Katie Stainsby
(2010 – 2nd Place)
 The competition is so high this time. You just have to go out and do it rather than starting out again. But it’s good to get suck back in

Gary was a slow burner last time and quietly improved week and week. This time, although he’s starting training later than many of the other celebrities due to work commitments, he has his foundations in place and there’s no telling just how great he may be. Easy on the eye, appearing in a show watched by millions, a fantastic partner, all the ingredients are in place for us to be wowed. Confidence and nerves permitting we can see Gary doing pretty damn well.

Sam Attwater with Vick Ogden
(2011 – 1st Place)
 It is daunting and exciting but there is no way I was going to miss it. And now I am back, it feels like only yesterday that I was doing the show

Last time around Sam took home the ice trophy but it wasn’t all smooth sailing, with stories in the tabloids each week that weren’t always flattering Sam admits the series all felt very serious and intense. Thing’s couldn’t be more different this time, he’s skating with professional partner Vicky Ogden who just so happens to be his fiancée. There’s no denying Sam had exceptional talent and produced some fantastic performances to take 1st place and this time he has the added piece of instant chemistry. Surprisingly not many are tipping this duo for the win, which we think is a big mistake, we cannot wait to see some beautiful performances from Sam and Vicky.

Joe Pasquale with Robin Johnstone
(2013 – 7th Place)
I’m not born for the ice and people find it amusing

Joe managed an impressive 7th place last year, which considering how steady he is on the ice is somewhat surprising. Back for similar reasons to Todd everyone is looking forward to Joe being back on the show. Obviously he won’t be competing on the same level as some of the celebrities, in fact we think him and Todd should have their own leader board each week and be exempt from the vote off just for our amusement.

Over the years Dancing On Ice has become a huge hit, making it a must see for the whole family every Sunday evening. We’ll miss it when it’s gone but boy are we looking forward to one last hoorah!

Sunday – ITV

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