The Ultimate Skills Test! This is what the skaters have been working towards for the past couple of weeks – a spin, a jump and a step sequence all linked together in one routine.
Each separate element counts for 2 points. The controversy of who left the competition last week has been in the news this week – Emma Bunton publicly defended her decision on the networking site Twitter stating that she “wanted to be entertained”. But, if that is the case then I do have to question the skating element of the programme – why have a skating programme if people aren’t being judged on what they are doing with their feet on the ice? Someone standing still in the middle of the rink, on two feet is not skating regardless of what they are doing with their face, mouth and arms. Which in turn leads us back to the judging panel only having one member who knows what they are talking about in relation to skating.

Opening the show was the first time in a few weeks were Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean skating to a beautifully sung live set by Rumer. The celebrities entered onto the ice one-by-one to be shown to the audience before the skating got underway and I have to say that even during this little introductory section people look so much more confident than they did at the beginning of the competition.

Chloe Madeley and Michael


Chloe seemed to relax only once she had gotten the 3 elements out of the way and I think this could be true for the others to follow. Her step sequence was okay – it was a little stiff in the knees and some of the steps, for me, were not completed fully. The jump was nice – two three jumps connected by a mazurka were completed easily and without complication. The spin was nice and the required two revolutions didn’t seem a problem. I think Chloe has had better skates but having said that, she has had a difficult week but didn’t hold back from attacking the skills.

Johnson Beharry and Jodeyne


Yey! Johnson did a lift! I was so happy to see him take this massive step and Jodeyne was the perfect partner for him to do it with. She seems to have patience and kind words to spur him on and the end result was a lift at shoulder height for the first time! Johnson has come on in leaps and bounds and it seemed to begin clicking tonight. The step sequence was completed although a little scratchy in places and the two three jumps were landed although not held. The spin was a little short of the two revs so he will have lost out on marks there. A score of 14.5 seemed a little low but with the focus mostly on the Ultimate Skills Test the lift will not have been recognized as much.

Laura Hamilton and Colin


For me Laura is one of the best girls in the competition. Her step sequence was really nice with some lovely steps in there along with a nice stop in the middle. The three jump was landed and controlled although her free leg needed to come through slightly more on take off as she went up, but not along. The spin was the best one yet with about 5 revolutions and extremely well controlled but she needed a slightly better position with her free leg. With her having the basic skating skills, I do tend to “nit-pick” when I watch her! The Platter Lift looked very awkward both during the lift and also on the landing and I think it was only saved due to sheer strength from Colin. Overall, Laura is getting better every time we see her on the screen so hopefully we will see her achieve even more over the coming weeks.

Jeff Brazier and Isabelle


With all the furor surrounding Sam I really think Jeff gets overlooked. His basic skating skills are sound and he always finishes things off with an extended free leg and pointed toe. His spin had the required revolutions although it was a little messy on the exit. The jump was a difficult combination of, three jump,half loop and a salchow. The half loop didn’t get enough height, which made the salchow more difficult, but he managed it with a little wobble on the landing. The steps were nicely done also. I thought the highlight was the Platter lift, which went up easily, with control and the landing was also put down very well. I think the routine was a little rough around the edges and I agreed with Jason’s comment of it possibly needing “quality over quantity”.

Denise Welch and Matt


I love how Denise keeps coming back every week and giving it everything although I do think that she is beginning to struggle with elements during the routines now. The three jumps were the best of the 3 elements and these were completed without a problem. The spin was the worst as it only managed about half a turn before she had to put her foot down to stay upright. The steps were done well although a little more knee bend would have added a smoother look over the ice. I think the tempo of the music really suited her (Cyndi Lauper's True Colours) and she was able to express herself better. I would say her best performance to date!

Sam Attwater and Brianne


I knew it wouldn’t be long until someone added the “headbanger” into the routine! Apparently, for the first time a non-professional male was adding it to their programme and that lucky person was Sam! WRONG! David Seaman attempted this move in Series 1 – so it had been done before. (Thank you Sarah for pointing this out on Twitter!) Now, the lifts were great – the Seat Lift was stable and well controlled and Brianne looked confident throughout even though she was 8 foot in the air. The headbanger, although completed, wasn’t as spectacular as when the professional men do it and was a little scary to watch. Some things though which let him down tonight were the jump – the loop jump was under-rotated - and the spin. His free leg looked lazy and as he is usually the leader he should be paying attention to these minor details. Now, I have mentioned this numerous times before and I wish he would sort it out…when he skates backwards he is always heavy on his toe picks. It really detracts from the smoothness of skating so I am once again, crossing my fingers and hoping that irons this problem out!

Kerry Katona and Daniel


I love that Daniel put Kerry on the harness for her jumping! It creates a feeling of confidence and stability and it really seemed to work in her practice session. On the night she did get help from Daniel on the landing, although it was much better than last week! The spin was on her toe pick so not technically a spin – but it had 2 turns at least. The step sequence was really slow but she did complete it. The routine that is set is so clever in hiding her inability to complete elements. She has a brilliant partner in Dan but she does rely on him too much to push her around the rink.

Vanilla Ice and Katie


I love that Vanilla Ice is skating to his own song! Genius! I always really enjoy watching him skate even if he can be a little rough around the edges! He sang all the way through which I don’t think he can be penalised for as it is, after all, his song! He taught Katie the authentic dance moves and they both pulled them off really well! The steps for me where the best bit – skating coupled with Rob’s own choreography. The spin was well done but the jumps for me could have been higher. The performance was the best on the night and a score of 22 was deserved. I hope he can better this next week.

The Skate Off


So, Kerry and Jeff are in the skate off. Jeff skated first and his jump was much better the second time around. I thought he performed it with more confidence as well and the Platter Lift worked great once again. Kerry was second to skate and performance is not a problem, nor is the dance moves. It is just a pity that she performed them all on two feet. Hurray! The judges saved the right person this week although it is sad to wave goodbye to Kerry as she is such a bubbly, likable person.
Next week it’s the Dancing On Ice “World Tour” with all the celebrity’s routines having an international feel!