Dancing On Ice’s Claire Sweeney became the latest star to leave the series after landing in the dreaded skate off with Lou Sanders on Sunday.
The soap star, 52, despite dislocating her rib during rehearsals had taken to the rink for a burlesque themed performance as she skated and sung live.
Following the skate off off judges Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabus, Jayne Torville and Christopher Dean announced they wanted to save the ‘strongest skater’.
The Corrie actress had been critiqued earlier in the show for spending too much time off the ice during lifts.
The jam packed packed show also featured a shocking twist as host Holly Willoughby announced there would be a shock double eviction next week.
Claire gushed about her ‘incredible’ time in the competition and how proud she was to have eight-year-old son Jaxon in the audience.
Adele Roberts kicked off the show, which saw contestants perform dances from the world, as she took to the rink for a charleston inspired routine with pro partner Mark Hanretty.
The former DJ, who donned a 1920s inspired ensemble, earned an impressive 30 out of a possible 40 as all four judges awarded her 7.5 points.
Full of compliments Oti gushed: ‘I loved it, what a brilliant way to open the show’.
While Christopher added: ‘I‘m impressed with the volume of steps and the speed of steps, nobody else can do that!’.
Next Made In Chelsea’s Miles Nazaire was thrown from his comfort zone as he and Vanessa Bauer performed a ballet on the ice, which earned him 30.5 points for his efforts.
Miles earned the highest score of the series so far, with judge Ashley commenting on his amazing skills despite having no professional dance training.
Meanwhile Chris said: ‘Who knew there was a [Rudolf] Nureyev lurking inside there?’.
As Miles looked on confused the judge informed him: ‘He was a very famous ballet dancer’.
Next up was Lou after last week’s viewers once again claimed she had been intentionally under marked by the judges and branded the series a fix.
The comedian looked gorgeous as she took to the rink in a feathered frock with pro partner Brendyn Hatfield.
Oti scored a respectable 6.5 followed by Ashley, Christopher and Jayne who all gave the funny woman a 6, earning her 24.5 – her highest mark in the competition so far.
Touching on the points drama Ashley said: ‘Credit, where credit is due, you really deserve your high score, it was really beautiful to watch’.
While Oti added: ‘Keep it up because you are now officially on the right path!’.
Fourth was Amber Davies who whipped the highest series score from Miles as she and Simon Proulx-Sénécal earned a whopping 34 points for their Cha-Cha.
The dance saw the Love Island star thrown high and as she masterfully completed a string of complicated lifts.
Host Holly exclaimed: ‘You’ve done it again, that was bold, are you always that brave the things you are going out there is incredible’.
Amber, who looked sensational in a skimpy and sparkly flamenco frock, giggled: ‘I am a bit of a daredevil’.
But viewers were left fuming, with many claiming her routine was ‘good, but not that good’ – and were quick to point out she didn’t do any solo skating.
Others expressed their disappointment with the judges’ choice, remarking contestants like Ryan Thomas and Ricky Norwood challenged themselves into much more solo skating routine – contrary to the Love Island star.
Taking to X – formerly known as Twitter – viewers didn’t shy away from sharing their opinions.
‘HOW can they score Ryan lower than Amber?! Skated the whole time on his own, very well too. Amber didn’t leave go of her partners hand once. Judging is shite this year #DancingOnIce,’ said one.
A second echoed and added: ‘It’s crazy how Amber is at the top of the score board with 34.0. She didn’t skate once on her own and the others were way better than her routine. She’s from an itv show why am I not surprised? #DancingOnIce.’
‘I really love Amber & that was a great performance, but I’m struggling to understand how they can score her that high when she didn’t let go of Simon’s hand the entire time? Surely she needs to be skating a bit on her own #DancingOnIce,’ penned another person.
A fourth user poked fun and said: ‘How to get the highest score on #DancingOnIce 1. Don’t let go of your partner 2. Stumble several times Worked well for Amber.’
‘How can they score Ryan the same as Amber ?!!? He skated alone and did lifts, she got pushed around! #DancingOnIce Not right,’ commented furious another viewer.
Meanwhile Ricky Norwood brushed off reports he threatened to quit following a furious argument with pro partner Annette Dytrt as performed a traditional German Schuhplattler, complete with lederhosen.
Despite the routine which featured a ‘a German folk remix’ of YMCA was a huge hit with the studio audience it scored a disappointing 23.5 out of 40.
Shouting ‘oh, come on’ as he was awarded his points by the judges, Holly reminded the former EastEnders star that it was his highest score in the competition so far.
Jayne told the actor: ‘I didn’t think it would work but it did and it had me smiling, you improves so much from last week’.
While viewers at home complained the Ricky had been ‘stitched up’ with his comedy routine.
One person wrote on Twitter: ‘Ricky is better than that – stitched up much.’
While someone else wrote: ‘They stitched Ricky up there! That was the strangest music they’ve ever had on there.’
Someone else wrote: ‘No wonder Ricky was losing it this week being given this dross to dance to.’
Another viewer posted: ‘Ricky deserved more, do they hate him, that version of YMCA…’
While another show can commented: ‘Ricky is a good sport with his attitude. Well done. Don’t let the judges pull you down! #DancingOnIce At least you can skate without holding on to your partner for dear life!’
‘I feel like they did Ricky dirty,’ wrote someone else, while another viewer remarked: ‘The routine wasn’t up to much and the music was awful but Ricky is doing his best to improve and he skates on his own.’
Comparing him to former Love Island star Amber Davies, someone else wrote: ‘Thought Ricky deserved higher score he did a lot of skating on his own – I appreciate lifts take some work but Amber barely skated in comparison.’
Fellow soap star Claire was up next for a Burlesque perfomance and mentioned during the VT about her injury during rehearsals.
A source exclusively told MailOnline before the show: ‘Last week, the judges feedback was they wanted to see more speed and to be more daring, which Claire took on board.
‘She really wanted to push herself this week, but she pushed herself a bit too much and dislocated her shoulder and hurt her ribs.
Despite her dislocated shoulder Claire skated as well as singing live declaring ‘nothing’s stopping me’.
However judges were not so impressed and scored her 23.5, saying she needed to be ‘skating more’ after spending too much time in the air during lifts.
Then it was Ryan Thomas’ turn after being forced to rehearse the steamy Tango with judge Oti due to partner Amani Fancy being ill.
Back on her feet the pro joined the actor on the ice as they sent temperature soaring with the routine that even featured rain in the studio.
The dance scored the couple 29 out of a possible 40.
Eddie The Eagle once again impressed when he performed a jungle inspired jive and skating away with a score of 28.5.
However not everything went to plan as the former Olympian almost took a tumble which the eagle-eyed judges swiftly spotted.
Jayne said: ‘There was a moment,’ before cheekily quipping: ‘But we didn’t see it’.
Emmerdale’s Roxy Shahidi revealed she managed to achieve her dream of learning how to belly dance for her performance.
Pro partner Brendyn Hatfield went shirtless as she showcased his abs while lifting the soap star for a string of impressive lifts.
Judge Ashley branded the perfomance ‘incredible’ earning Roxy 26 out of 40, her highest score so far.
And last but certainly not least was Greg Rutherford with a salsa as he returned to the rink with partner Vanessa James after she injured herself on the ice moments before last week’s live show.
Despite suffering the fall the duo were full of confidence for the routine which host Oti described as ‘sexy and sultry’ and praised the duo’s chemistry.
Greg went on to join many of the other celebs as he scored his highest mark to date with 30.5
It comes after host Holly referenced her ‘swearing’ gaffe after fans were convinced she dropped the f bomb during last week’s show.
The TV presenter, 42, shared her look for this week’s show on her Instagram page ahead of the programme and made light of the incident in her caption.
Holly wrote: ‘This is Big Brother… Please do not swear. See you on Dancing On Ice at 6:20. Tonight we celebrate the best dance styles ever!’
Last Sunday, Holly was forced to apologise to viewers after it sounded like she accidentally dropped an expletive while presenting the show.
Holly apologised in case she accidentally said a ‘naughty word’ during an interaction with her co-host Stephen Mulhern.
She said: ‘A little bit earlier on, Stephen may have made me jump and I think it might have sounded like a naughty word slipped out,’ she said.
Viewers admitted they were torn over whether Holly did say the f word, or whether it was something that sounded similar.
Holly, who will no doubt be hoping to avoid any on-screen gaffes this week, shared a snap of her latest Dancing On Ice look on Instagram.
The former This Morning host looked incredible in a form-fitting yellow gown, which featured one statement shoulder.
She wore her blonde locks swept up into a chic updo, with some strands left loose framing her pretty features, which had been accentuated with soft make-up.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
