Star of the Dutch Dancing on Ice and former British Figure Skating Champion, Blackburn's Dannielle Guppy gives her view on the latest Dancing on Ice series.

Dancing on Ice opened with a bang this week as Girls Aloud sang live in the studio.

The routine this week was so different from the other ones which Torvill and Dean have performed. Girls Aloud descended from up high on wires and Torvill and Dean ended their routine in the air, spinning at an amazing speed.

So, it is now semi final week with only four couples left. The required element for this show is the ‘Solo Spot’. Here the skaters have to skate alone, unaided by their partner for twenty seconds. This will highlight the weaknesses – and nerves - of the skater as all eyes will be solely on them.

Donal McIntyre and Florentine
Music: Live and Let Die – Paul McCartney
This was an excellent skate from Donal. His solo spot was performed well and with confidence. He had a very small stumble but that did not detract from his skating as he saved it well. His lift with Florentine had a change of position and that was handled extremely well with the lift staying strong and the speed being kept throughout it. Donal has made massive leaps in improving and his determination to do well every week really shines through when he skates. I thought Jason’s comments were extremely unfair – Donal’s arms and hand positions will not be perfect as, unlike Ray, he is not a trained dancer. I really think that Jason could be a little more positive with the skaters, and not just the ones he champions.

Ray Quinn and Maria
Music: Bailamos – Enrique Iglesias
Ray skated great this week and he interpreted the routine very well. His solo spot was skated with confidence and looked effortless to him. Everyone knows that Ray can skate and that he is the one to beat and I hope he will push even further for the final. Although he skated a great solo, he could have done more. Saying that, he did what was required for him and he shone. I agree with Karen when she said it wasn’t perfect – Nicky obviously didn’t agree as he tutted when she pointed that out. If Ray got a 6.0 every week then he would become complacent, and with this week’s score being just under the maximum of 30, I think that it will give him the motivation to work even harder for next week’s final.

Coleen Nolan and Stewart
Music: You’re Still the One – Shania Twain
Coleen must be the most strapped up woman in the history of Dancing on Ice! A brave performance by her this week and he solo spot was better than I thought it would be. Jason has described her as the weakest link in the competition, and there is no denying that she was the least competent skater in the competition, but she is also the oldest and shows that anyone can skate. She did look a little tentative out on the ice tonight but her presentation was really nice and she interacted with Stewart well. I disagree with Jason saying that it was ‘the most boring performance of the series’. There is no denying that she was popular with the viewing audience so there was a real possibility of Coleen making it to the final.

Jessica Taylor and Pavel
Music: Why – Annie Lennox
What a strong performance from Jessica this week. Her solo was strong with a well held spiral and confident basic skating. I thought she really improved on her performance this week and really felt the music with her interaction with Pavel. Her facial expressions and also the softness in her skating. Jessica has always been the strongest female skater in the competition and Robin’s remark that ‘some of her solo skating was stronger than Ray’s’ was justified and well deserved. Jessica is – like Ray – the overall package as she looks great out on the ice and is technically able. I'm very glad she gained a place in the final three.

The Skate-Off
Ray and Jessica were the two that got through without having to perform in the skate off. Before I even watched them skate I knew that Coleen was going to go home.

Donal’s programme really made me smile and again, I thought he performed it really well as he had an extended solo spot before Florentine joined him.

Coleen smiled all the way through and I thought it was definitely better than the first time as she seemed free of nerves and I loved her jokey attitude at the end as she said “Bring on the flowers!” before the judges had even given their score.

Five out of five judges saved Donal, which was the right result, but it is sad to see Coleen go.

And so the Oxford Freestylers are the act which won the ‘Make Me a Star’ competition. I am so pleased that they got through as they are completely different to the skating that we see on the show and will make a very refreshing change!

With the final next week, it will be my last blog, but I can’t wait to see who is crowned ‘Dancing on Ice Champion 2009’!