Dancing On Ice Semi-Final - ITV1
A Fond Farewell To Coleen Nolan
The total relief on the judges’ faces spoke volumes. Lots of weasel words about what a delight she had been, never giving up, but it was definitely time to go. At last Jason Gardiner and company had got what they wanted – Coleen Nolan in the skate-off. Which was hardly worth watching, as the result was a foregone conclusion. Not that Donal MacIntyre didn’t produce a good performance, but unless he fell twice and hurled his partner Florentine Houdiniere into the audience with a mistimed lift, there was no chance he was leaving. Not one judge voted to save her.
Fighting wrist and rib injuries, Coleen was, not surprisingly, stiffer and slower than the previous week. The choice of music, Shania Twain’s “Still the One”, had Coleen’s husband crying in the audience, as it was “their song”. But even with all the heartstrings firmly tugged, Jason wasted no time putting the knife in. “Obviously you’re very very popular with the home viewer vote but we are at the semi-finals and we have to now put people through based on what they can do ... that for me was probably your most boring performance of the series.” Do get off the fence Jason, tell us what you really think.
Coleen Nolan Left With Her Head Held High
Gracious to the end, Coleen even managed a bit of gallows humour. When it was announced Donal and Coleen were in the bottom two, quick as a flash she piped up “Just give me the flowers now”. With special thanks to her partner Stuart Widdall, she showed real dignity, as she has every week when she knows others are better skaters and she had no chance of Ray Quinn’s across-the-board 6s.
Is Ray The Favourite to Win?
And so to the final three. In terms of technical ability, Ray easily leads the field. Concentrating on technique rather than the flashy tricks, he skates so smoothly it almost takes a trained eye to spot how difficult his routines actually are. He has no problems with speed or ice coverage, and a genuine partnership with Maria Filippov has developed over the course of the competition. As he has never been in a skate-off, it seems he has secured a place in the public’s affection.
Or will the viewers prefer a lady to take the crown? Jessica Taylor has also improved steadily over the series, and has shown the typical grace and style that is expected of a female ice dancer. Like Donal she is a skate-off survivor, although it has to be said she faced stiffer competition in the form of Zoe Salmon to secure the judges’ vote. The fact that last year the series was won by a woman (Suzanne Shaw) may work against her however.
And can dark horse Donal MacIntyre be ruled out? Intrepid undercover reporter by day, swathed in Spandex by night, Donal has quietly been impressing the judges, as well as baring his biceps to woo the floating female vote. Clips from training sessions reveal his enthusiasm for inventing his own moves, and this week’s score of 22.5 proves he is a force to be reckoned with. But will he suffer in comparison with “The Mighty Quinn”?
This Dancing on Ice final is certainly the one the judges wanted. The dead wood is gone, but so is much of the suspense. Could Coleen have gone all the way? It seems talent has triumphed over fighting spirit.
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