DELIGHTED Sam Attwater celebrates being crowned the Dancing on Ice champion
last night — after beating kids’ TV presenter Laura Hamilton.
The 24-year-old ex-EastEnders star clinched victory after both performed the
Bolero.
After lifting skating partner Brianne Delcourt with the trophy, Sam said: “I
wouldn’t be here without Brianne.”
The pair had a brief fling earlier in the ITV1 series, and Sam admitted: “We
had a bond — and will have for the rest of our lives.”
Runner-up Laura, 28, praised partner Colin Ratushniak.
She said: “It’s been such an incredible experience. I’ve lived, breathed,
slept ice skating with Colin for the past six months. I’m going to continue
skating.”
Chloe Madeley was the first to leave after last night’s public vote — and
received a comforting hug from dance partner Michael Zenezini.
The iconic Bolero routine was made famous by Jayne Torvill and Christopher
Dean at the 1984 Winter Olympics where the couple won gold. After Sam and
Brianne’s version last night, Christopher said: “The passion was there.”
Judge Jason Gardiner said: “That was captivating. It was beautiful.”
Sam’s success came despite him suffering a painful rib injury after a horror
fall in rehearsals.
He and Brianne opened the show with their ice interpretation of Footloose and
scored 29.5, the highest of the series — winning rave reviews from all three
judges.
Third-placed Chloe, 23 — daughter of TV legends Richard Madeley and Judy
Finnigan — said: “It’s been the most incredible fun, the best experience
I’ve ever had.”
Head coach Karen Barber said valiant Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC was her
champion of the series, saying: “His journey was the greatest.”