Dancing On Ice winner is crowned

The sequined spandex has been packed away. The doctors at the local A&E are breathing a collective sigh of relief. And the producers are wondering what to do with a studio filled with thousands of gallons of slush…

Yes, Dancing on Ice series seven skidded to its conclusion last night. And while there may not have been too many surprises in store, there was just enough drama to justify the previous 11 weeks of competition.

The final saw Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden, Hollyoaks babe Jorgie Porter and TV talent show staple Chico compete for the Dancing on Ice 2012 title. Each skating celebrity had to perform one new routine (this time with backing skaters for moral support) as well as reprise their favourite routine from the series so far.

The top two performers as voted by the viewers would then be allowed to perform their personally-choreographed routine to Torville & Dean classic “Bolero” before another round of voting to select the champion.

The judges – who’ve been less than keen to award the maximum marks through the previous 11 weeks – went ten-tastic, firing out the top score at every opportunity including giving all three skaters a perfect 30 for at least one of their routines.

In the end, the results were incredibly close, with Jorgie topping the leaderboard at 59, Matthew half a point behind at 58.5 and Chico with a respectable 56. Chico was penalised for a heart-stopping stumble during a particularly ambitious lift (I imagined the assistant producer’s finger hovering over the speed dial for 999 at this point).

But in the final, the judges scores are only a guide – leaving the viewers’ votes alone to select the final two. Chico got the chop – although if anything his grin got even wider as he was told he wasn’t going to perform a routine he’d been practicing all week. Matthew and Jorgie were left to perform their take on T&D’s iconic routine, complete with signature “collapse on the ice grasping for something” move (that’s a technical term…).

Unsurprisingly, Matthew’s legion of fans (and, granted, a strong performance) won him the greater share of the vote and the DOI crown. Cue tears all round.

Emmerdale’s Matt wins this year’s Dancing on Ice crown

 
Although this series of DOI has had few shocks, it has had three excellent skaters throughout, and even though Matthew was the one to beat he wasn’t necessarily the clear winner. And while some might say that the sequins have slightly lost their sparkle after seven series, I think ITV will keep this one running for some time to come.

Did the right celebrity win? Let us know below