Week three and it was the first time that the boys and the girls met! There was no skate from Torvill and Dean at the beginning but they did show a video detailing the first element, which the couple had to complete – the “pairs spiral”. This move involves both pairs lifting one leg above hip height whilst moving and making sure that the line is correct, by turning out the foot and straightening the lifted leg.

Hayley Tammadon and Daniel

Music: You’re No Good - Linda Rosdandt
Hayley came out like a firecracker this week!! Her acting really came in useful to this piece of music and her skating had plenty of attitude! Her floating cartwheels were completed with ease and I thought the handstand on Daniel’s boot was really great. I thought she interacted very well with Daniel and the elements moved from one to the other seamlessly. I’m not sure if I agreed with Nicky when he said that Hayley was a little slow on the ice on her own – Jason disagreed with him, which was a refreshing change!

Hilary Jones and Alexandra

Music: Close to You – The Carpenters
Hilary really has to be commended for giving this a go. As the oldest competitor I am sure that he isn’t finding it easy as you seem to be more fearful the older you get. He had a stumble after some inside 3-turns but recovered enough to do a little lift with Alexandra. The scores were low mainly due to him struggling with the basics (and the stumble won’t have helped). I do think that he skated better last week and I think that only having 4 days to learn this routine added to his nerves.

Emily Atack and Fred

Music: Beautiful – Christina Aguilera
Emily looked much more controlled this week and also softer in her knees which made the performance flow much better. The pairs spiral was executed well and I particularly liked that she led Fred and also that it was on an inside edge as this makes it more difficult. Her leg did ‘bob’ up and down a little and the toe also dropped but I could see the intention was there. I think some more practice will really benefit Emily and her skating and I hope to see her again next week.

Kieron Richardson and Brianne

Music: Evergreen – Will Young
I think that Kieron is a serious contender this series. His routine had plenty of variety and I think he moves over the ice very well. He interacts very well with his partner and they skate very nicely together. The clip of him in training before his performance highlighted how negative he can be which is not good as it can be hard to pull back from that frame of mind. His spiral was lovely although not quite hip height. Kieron needs to focus on the positives as there are lots of those concerning his skating. I am looking forward to seeing what Kieron does next week.

Tana Ramsey and Stuart

Music: Piece of my Heart – Beverley Knight
I thought this routine was good in places, but awkward in others. For fear of sounding like Jason, I will explain. Her skating seemed to have improved this week, which is always a plus, but she looked uncomfortable with the dancing at the beginning. It was quite a raunchy dance section and it didn’t seem to gel with what Stuart was doing. Having said that, this is a huge learning curve for Tana as someone without a performance background and I think she is doing a very good job.

Danny Young and Frankie

Music: Devil in Disguise – Elvis Presley
I think Danny overcooked it this week, as his skating wasn’t as smooth as last weeks. The elements were well done – although I wasn’t sure about some of the faces he was pulling! – but the skating between them was a little stilted. I think the judges have already earmarked him to be near, or at the top of the pack but I think that’s a lot of pressure and it started to show this week. All the big lifts are good but if the skating in between is suffering then they won’t look nearly as spectacular. Hopefully he will come back stronger next week.

Heather Mills and Matt

Music: Frozen – Madonna
Heather really gives her skating 100%. Her pairs spiral was very well done especially with the added difficulty of moving under Matt and maintaining the position throughout. Her scores were well deserved for this routine. I think she still needs to work on her basic skating to get that smoother but her confidence is to be applauded.

Gary Lucy and Maria

Music: I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
Gary skated a difficult routine and Maria was the person to have a little stumble – it happens to the best of us! Gary skated with ease and a lovely knee bend throughout. I didn’t think he deserved to be in the skate-off last week and he came back stronger this week. He had a great spiral position and I liked that there were ‘twizzles’ included which are difficult to do. Robin put Jason in his place when Jason stated that Gary had a ‘cheated’ spiral. I’m not quite sure how a spiral can be cheated – it’s either in the correct place or not. The spiral can also be done at the front, side or back as long as the foot is at hip height or above. The scores Gary received were well deserved.

Sharron Davies and Pavel

Music: These Words – Natasha Bedingfield
I thought Sharron had really improved since the first week that she skated. She was accused of not being graceful and soft in the first week and I was slightly unsure of her costume this week as it accentuated her athletic figure. Having said that she looked fabulous! Her arms had improved and I think that training with the synchronised swimming coach has helped with that. I was pleasantly surprised with Sharron this week and I look forward to seeing what she will do next week.

Jeremy Sheffield and Susie

Music: Stay With Me – The Faces
Jeremy was a little shaky out on the ice. They tried a handstand lift but unfortunately it didn’t work properly although it was well saved. His spiral positions were beautiful – well turned out with the free leg at hip height and also executed on both feet and both edges. Some of the scores were a little low but that reflects his nerves showing at the beginning. He relaxed a little as the programme progressed which is good but he really needs to hit that straight away. He’s nice to watch as he stays down into his knees.

Mikey Graham and Melanie

Music: Just Say Yes: Snow Patrol
Mikey skates really well, down in the knees with lovely expression. His score was very well deserved and I was pleased to see that it was higher than last week. He has put his mind to it this week and it showed with the choreography. His facial expressions are great, he presents Melanie when he skates and lifts her with ease. He draws the crowd into his performance which makes it more enjoyable to watch.

Daniella Westbrook and Matthew

Music: Because of You – Kelly Clarkson
Daniella has lovely arm movements, which really finish off every movement. Her skated was very assured and she completed the elements with ease. Even though she was in pain with her side she smiled throughout which just lifts the performance. Her scores were well deserved and I think she has a lot more to accomplish in this competition.

The Skate-Off

Jeremy and Sharron were through to the skate-off and I think both skated their programmes with much more power and commitment. It was very, very close but Jeremy left the competition with the judges commenting that Sharron had made the biggest improvement out of the two. So next week it will be interesting to see who has made even more steps towards improving their performance!