Dancing On Ice: Fan favourite Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu faces the skate off
Dancing On Ice 2023: Fan favourite Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu fumes as she faces the dreaded skate off after only ONE performance… while viewers rage over relentless ad breaks and a FIVE minute window to place votes as show gets off to controversial start
Dancing On Ice returned for another year on Sunday evening with a start-studded launch – as Joey Essex kicked off the show with his dance partner Vanessa Bauer.
Despite the glitz and glamour, it was a tough start to the series for fan favourite Love Island’s Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, who landed herself in the bottom two by receiving the least amount of public votes – and couldn’t contain her furious face.
But it was the ITV show that viewers weren’t happy with, after they were given just five minutes to cast their votes before it closed – with many taking to Twitter to complain over the rules as they blasted that you ‘don’t even get time to pick up the phone’.
Dancing On Ice 2023: Fan favourite Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu faces the dreaded skate off after only ONE performance… but viewers rage after being given just FIVE minutes to vote as show gets off to a controversial start
After the first six celebrities performed, it was time to find out who would be dancing again next week in the bottom two – and was at risk of being sent home.
And it was bad news for Ekin-Su, who looked gobsmacked at the news as she turned to talk with her dance partner Brendyn Hatfield, while her boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti was equally as unhappy while he watched from the audience.
The Love Island star admitted that she was ‘sad’ with the news, as presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby questioned her after the result and attempted to reassure her.
‘I’m just sad, but, you know. I’ve been really ill as well and I know it’s not an excuse but I’ve just got back up, and yeah,’ said Ekin-Su.
Routine: She had given an enthusiastic performance earlier in the evening with partner Brendyn as they finished with a sultry lift
Not happy: It was bad news for Ekin-Su, who looked gobsmacked at the news as she turned to talk with her dance partner Brendyn Hatfield
Sad moment: The Love Island star admitted that she was ‘sad’ with the news, as presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby questioned her after the result and attempted to reassure her
And the reality star’s shocked reaction didn’t go unnoticed – as many viewers called out the star on her furious face after learning her fate.
‘Her face spoke a thousand words,’ wrote one viewer. While another said: ‘I know Ekin-Su deserved to go through but the reaction from her realising she was in the dance off was hilarious’.
Many viewers also took to Twitter to express their frustration to ITV at the amount of voting time that was allocated – noting that they didn’t even get a chance to get to the page before the vote closed.
Disappointed: ‘I’m just sad, but, you know. I’ve been really ill as well and I know it’s not an excuse but I’ve just got back up, and yeah,’ said Ekin-Su.
Bit obvious? And the reality star’s shocked reaction didn’t go unnoticed – as many viewers called out the star on her furious face after learning her fate
‘@ITV need to sort out the time to vote for next week I barely had time to get the site open I’m sure it’s never been that quick #DancingOnIce,’ wrote one.
While another echoed: ‘That was barely five minutes that we were given to vote! Only just got mine for Ekin-Su and Patsy in! #DancingOnIce’.
Earlier in the show, she could be seen admitting during practice at Alexandra Palace that she was extremely nervous and ‘has no idea how to skate’.
Effort: Despite giving her performance 100% earlier in the show, Ekin-Su will have to perform again next week to fight for the chance to stay
Not enough time! Many viewers also took to Twitter to express their frustration to ITV at the amount of voting time that was allocated – noting that they didn’t even get a chance to get to the page before the vote closed
Debut: Taking to the ice with a dance to Britney Spears’ Toxic, the Love Island star held onto her partner as they glided across the ice together for the performance
Sensual: Ekin-Su certainly amped up the ante for the sultry routine – which judge Jayne described as : ‘Very, very sexy’
‘Every time I fall I worry that I’ve lost a tooth, I’ve hurt my leg or something. I’m really, really nervous,’ she said.
Taking to the ice with a dance to Britney Spears’ Toxic, the Love Island star looked sensational in a shimmering unitard number as she was typically animated for the debut.
She wasn’t shy to get on her hands and knees and crawl across the ice during the performance, pulling a slew of facial expressions while dancing with partner Brendyn.
The performance was certainly a hit with her beau Davide, who was in the audience and said he ‘couldn’t wait’ to take her home after the show, adding: ‘I love seeing her dance on the ice, it was like she was flying’.
Ekin-Su scored a total vote of 21.5, as Ashley gave her a 5.5, Oti scored her a 6, Jayne and Chris both a 5.
Fuming: Ekin-Su’s boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti looked less than impressed as his girlfriend was sent into the bottom two while he watched from the audience
Extra; She wasn’t shy to get on her hands and knees and crawl across the ice during the performance, pulling a slew of facial expressions while dancing with partner Brendan Hatfield
Dancing On Ice week 1 scores
1. Nile Wilson and Olivia Smart: 29.5 out of 40 points
2. Joey Essex and Vanessa Bauer: 27 out of 40 points
3. Siva Kaneswaran and Klabera Komini: 24 out of 40 points
4. Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Brendan Hatfield: 21.5 out of 40 points
5. Patsy Palmer and Matt Evers: 21 out of 40 points
6. Michelle Heaton and Lukasz Rozycki: 19 out of 40 points
Gorgeous: Ekin-Su looked sensational in a shimmering unitard number with diamanté embellishing
Middle of the road: Ekin-Su scored a total vote of 21.5, as Ashley gave her a 5.5, Oti scored her a 6, Jayne and Chris both a 5
While she certainly had the star power and the confidence, the judges did have some critical feedback for Ekin-Su as they asked for some more focus on technique.
After giving her the highest score out of all four judges, Oti kicked things off by saying: ‘I loved it, I thought it was hot, hot, hot. From the outfit to the hair to the makeup. You are a performer and it’s hard to train that. If you work on the quality and the training then you will go far.’
‘It was very sexy. But what I want more of is the skating,’ shared Jayne. Ashley was in agreement as he said: ‘Skate on your own without holding on to Brendyn, show us what you can do.’
The show began earlier in the evening with a show-stopping opening performance from the professional skaters as they stormed the ice in neon ensembles while dancing to Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody – before being joined by the 11 new celebrities for a grand finish.
Presenting duo Phillip and Holly returned to the rink too as the show’s hosts, as the latter looked sensational in a black diamanté embellished gown.
Joey, 32, certainly started things off with a bang as he took to the ice in a suave two-piece suit and even swung his partner in an airplane lift as they bagged 27 points out of a possible 40 during their performance.
Strong start: Joey Essex kicked off the show with his dance partner Vanessa Bauer as they took their chemistry onto the ice
Close: The pair have been subject to many romance rumours since they began training for the show – and certainly appeared close during the performance
Set: Joey and Vanessa brought a chic retro touch to open the show, as his hair was slicked back and he began the dance at an old school bar set
Judges: Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Jayne Torvil and Chris Dean all returned to the judging panel for the new series
The former TOWIE star’s opening performance impressed the judges as he stepped out with glamorous partner Vanessa – who looked gorgeous in a glimmering green mini dress.
Judges Jayne Torvil and Chris Dean both scored him 6.5 points, with the latter saying: ‘Tonight I think you stole some hearts, that was a great performance. A few things to be careful of, be careful that you have got to skate up to Vanessa, don’t let her pull you around.’
While he scored a 7 from both Oti Mabuse and Ashley Banjo, with Oti dubbing the reality star: ‘Charming’.
Suave: The former TOWIE star, 32, certainly started things off with a bang as he took to the ice in a suave two-piece suit
Show-stopper: Joey’s opening performance impressed the judges as he stepped out with glamorous partner Vanessa – who looked gorgeous in a glimmering green mini dress
Chris told Joey of the performance: ‘Tonight I think you stole some hearts, that was a great performance. A few things to be careful of, be careful that you have got to skate up to Vanessa, don’t let her pull you around’
Before the performance, the show gave viewers a glimpse into Joey and Vanessa’s prep towards the first week and showed the moment they began training.
But the reality star didn’t just have his eye on the prize, as he also liked the look of his partner.
After months of romance rumours between the pair, they took the chemistry to the ice as Joey could be seen dubbing his partner ‘Easy on the eye’ and admitting that there would be ‘some flirting’.
Audience support: He had plenty of support too as his grandmother and cousin Demi Sims were in the audience watching on – with the latter admitting that she even got teary during the performance
Upon meeting, he said of Vanessa: ‘She’s easy on the eye, ain’t she? Vanessa is single, I’m single. There’s gonna be a bit of flirting going on.’
Next to the ice was EastEnders legend Patsy Palmer and her partner Matt Evers, who successfully managed a collection of well-executed lifts, but struggled to remember all of her moves.
The soap star scored 21 points out of 40 as Ashley and Oti both gave her a score of 5, While Jayne and Chris both went for 5.5.
Not a bad start! Joey and Vanessa bagged a total of 27 points out of 40 from the judges, putting them second on the leaderboard
They’re back! Hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby returned to the rink too as the show’s hosts
Second to the stage: Next to the ice was EastEnders legend Patsy Palmer and her partner Matt Evers
Stunning: Patsy donned a metallic pink mini dress for her first ever live skating performance
First try: Patsy successfully managed a collection of well-executed lifts, but struggled to remember all of her moves
Over half: The soap star scored 21 points out of 40 as Ashley and Oti both gave her a score of 5, While Jayne and Chris both went for 5.5
‘It’s week one and I love you. You have something you can’t teach, the vibe, the energy. You did look terrified at points but that will come with time so just keep going,’ said Ashley.
While Chris noted that she did forget some steps, but was guided by partner Matt to help out.
The Wanted’s Siva Kaneswaran was next up with his partner Klabera Komini, as the pop star heartbreakingly revealed that his late bandmate Tom Parker inspired him to do the show.
In the house! The star is also a DJ and showed off her musical skills on the ice too as she hit the decks
Bright: The Wanted’s Siva Kaneswaran was next up with his partner Klabera Komini as they donned matching bright suits
Grief: The pop star heartbreakingly revealed that his former bandmate Tom Parker inspired him to do the show and admitted that he was ‘still grieving’
Tom passed away on 30 March 2022 following a year-and-a-half long battle with incurable brain cancer.
Siva shared on the show that he was ‘still grieving’, but wanted to use some of the ‘fight’ that he saw from his late friend to try something new.
He and Klabera came out with a vibrant performance in bright suits as they pulled off an impressive performance to Duran Duran’s Her Name Is Rio.
Described as a ‘solid performance’ from all four judges, Siva received scores of 6 across the board – totalling to 24 out of 40.
A happy Jayne told the singer: ‘I think you have a lot to bring to the competition’.
Confident: He and Klabera came out with a vibrant performance in bright suits as they pulled off an impressive performance to Duran Duran’s Her Name Is Rio
Acting skills: Kicking off their routine, they began with a phone box scene before breaking into dance
While Chris rounded things of: ‘If you didn’t have the skates on it would be a 10, but it is a skating show. So i want to see more of relying less on Brendan.’
Liberty X’s Michelle Heaton, 43, then made her debut on the ice – looking incredible in a bright pink mini dress with a ruffled hem as she joined partner Lukasz Rozycki.
Before the performance, she could be seen explaining how much the show meant to her, telling the camera: ‘My struggle with addiction is no secret. A few years ago I was up for Dancing On Ice and I was just in no fit state to do it. Yeah, it’s been a lot. So yeah, it’s really surreal to be here.’
Time for another: Liberty X’s Michelle Heaton , 43, then made her debut on the ice – looking incredible in a bright pink mini dress with a ruffled hem as she joined partner Lukasz Rozycki
Up and away: She was flung into the air during the dance with a range of lifts, but struggled to keep her balance when she was down on the ice solo
Oh no: Despite giving the performance her best, Michelle was the lowest on the leaderboard with a score of 19 points
The dance featured a large range of lifts but saw some missteps from Michelle as nerves got the better of her, leaving the popstar to lean on her partner more.
After scoring 19 points from the judges, she began to get upset and began to tear up as she turned to her partner and said: ‘It’s just amazing and he’s just been amazing. I’m so sorry.’
But she was reassured by hosts Holly and Phil, who assured the star that it was a ‘good place to start’.
Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson was last but not least with his partner Olivia Smart, who is also making her debut on the show as a professional.
Emotional: After the performance, Michelle got emotional and apologised to her partner as she had a tear in her eye after learning the judges’ score
Olympian dup: Gymnast Nile Wilson was last but certainly not least with his partner Olivia Smart, who is also making her debut on the show as a professional
Bold: The pair looked stunning as they stepped out onto the ice in red, with newcomer Olivia donning a glimmering red satin mini dress
Impressive: Nile blew the audience away with a stunning performance as he and Olivia took to the ice in matching red ensembles – putting his gymnast skills to good use as he attempted a bold butterfly jump alone
Nailed it: And it’s no wonder they took to the top of the leaderboard with 29.5 points out of 40, bagging a 7.5 score from every judge except Ashley, who scored him 7
Recalling having to quit gymnastics due to a neck injury, Nile explained before the performance: ‘That’s been difficult to cope with, for 20 years I had real purpose and suddenly it’s gone. This has been really good, it’s good to be competing again.
Nile blew the audience away with a stunning performance as he and Olivia took to the ice in matching red ensembles – putting his gymnast skills to good use as he attempted a bold butterfly jump alone.
And it’s no wonder they took to the top of the leaderboard with 29.5 points out of 40, bagging a 7.5 score from every judge except Ashley, who scored him 7.
Famous guests: I’m A Celebrity winner and lioness Jill Scott was rinkside in the audience to watch the famous faces battle it out through dance
Chris dubbed the performance ‘fantastic’, while Oti said: ‘You are so, so special. What you did was so enjoyable to watch.’
‘We’ve had some incredible performances already but sometimes I had to remind myself: “Are we in week one?”, that felt like we were watching much further on,’ added Ashley.
Other celebs competing in this year’s series include football legend John Fashanu, , Coronation Street’s Mollie Gallagher, Drag Queen and TV personality The Vivienne, comedian Darren Harriott, actress and West End star Carley Stenson – who will all perform next week.
DANCING ON ICE 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
PATSY PALMER
AGE: 50
PROFESSION: Actress and DJ
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve turned it down before because I was terrified, but when I turned 50 I made a pact to get out of my confront zone. ‘
EKIN-SU CULCULOGLU
AGE: 28
PROFESSION: Love Island star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve got some amazing news to tell you. I’m so excited, I can’t wait to get myself on the ice and skate. Stay tuned and see you on the ice.’
MOLLIE GALLAGHER
AGE: 24
PROFESSION: Actress
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve not got the best coordination so when people find out they will laugh, but I don’t want to spend my life saying “I can’t do this, I can’t do that.”
JOEY ESSEX
AGE: 32
PROFESSION: Ex TOWIE star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited. I wanted something in my life with structure and it’s more serious than what I usually do.’
CARLEY STENSON
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Actress and West End star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited that I get to learn how to dance…on ice! I’m terrified but can’t wait – I just want to make the most of this whole experience.’
SIVA KANESWARAN
AGE: 33
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I want to learn how to skate and make my family proud of me and put on a show for everyone to see.’
JOHN FASHANU
AGE: 60
PROFESSION: Former footballer and pundit
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I am definitely in it to win it.And this may be one of the scariest things I’ve ever signed up for but I couldn’t be more ready for the challenge!’
NILE WILSON
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: Olympic gymnast
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve not done much ice-skating but I am so excited for the opportunity. I’m so excited to get into that routine and to feel like an athlete again.’
JAMES LEE WILLIAM AKA THE VIVIENNE
AGE: 29
PROFESSION: Drag queen
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘To be the first drag artist to take part in one of the big UK reality competition shows is an honour and a big step forward for queer representation on TV.’
DARREN HARRIOT
PROFESSION: Comedian
AGE: 34
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve got giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance. My family has already made bets – they’re making bets that I’ll fall on the first episode!’
MICHELLE HEATON
AGE: 43
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve always wanted to do it but I know I would never have been able to complete anything because of the way I was 18 months ago, so I’m really truly grateful that I’ve got it this year when I’m a lot stronger.’
Source: Read Full Article