Dancing on Ice 2023 LIVE: Fans in shock as ex-footballer is first to be voted off & The Vivienne makes history
DANCING On Ice fans are in shock as ex-footballer John Fashanu was voted off the show this weekend.
The footballing legend found himself in the dance-off alongside Love Island star Ekin-Su.
Fans were in shock however with one saying: "Poor John Fashanu, can't believe it," whilst a second added: "Totally Wrong."
It comes as The Vivienne has become the first drag queen to perform on the show and fans were delighted with her first performance.
One said: "The Vivienne on is everything and more!! Making history, with really great skating as well."
Read our Dancing on Ice live blog below for the latest action...
Soap star Mollie Gallagher takes to the ice
Coronation Street stars have a long history on Dancing On Ice with Sally Dynevor, Faye Brookes and Samia Longchambon all appearing.
Mollie, 24, who plays Roy Cropper’s niece Nina, said she would be seeking tips from her co-stars.
She told Lorraine Kelly: “I’ll be getting all the tips I can because I’m going to need it!”
Ru Paul star The Vivienne will glide into the show
Welsh drag queen The Vivienne was unveiled as one of the show’s early stars, calling it “a big step forward for queer representation on TV”.
The 30-year-old star – also known as James Lee Williams – won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019.
Speaking about taking on the challenge The Vivienne said: “This is honestly a dream come true and I can’t wait to start training on the ice.”
Ofcom complaints from furious fans
The show has been hit by over a hundred complaints from furious viewers after Ekin-Su skated in a sexy launch night outfit
The Love Island winner dazzled on the ice in a silver and nude catsuit on Sunday night - but it was too much for some.
The broadcasting watchdog received 112 complaints about the daring wardrobe choice.
And it may have played a part in Ekin's shock appearance in the upcoming first dance-off.
The 28-year-old looked incredible in the tight-fitting suit, which showed off her long legs.
Darren Harriot reveals horrifying injury
The 34-year-old is one of the famous faces taking part in this year's skating competition.
Over the past few months he's been training hard, but there have been a few slip-ups along the way.
Speaking on , the comedian revealed all the nasty injuries he's suffered with - and they've helped him grow as a skater.
Darren said: "My biggest fear, I don’t really have it anymore, all my fears are now sort of gone, because I’ve fallen on the ice countless times, I’ve got whiplash, yesterday I sliced my arm open with my partners blade, they had to glue my forearm together.
"What other fears are there! Maybe I fall through the ice? That’s all that’s left.
"Whiplash, there’s a bit of bone sticking out here..."
Ekin-Su’s Dancing On Ice future in jeopardy
Friends and family of Ekin-Su Culculoglu say she has been “hung out to dry” by Dancing On Ice bosses after her saucy routine on last week’s show angered viewers.
The winner of last year’s Love Island finished bottom in the public vote after she performed a provocative dance in a “nude” bodysuit to Britney Spears hit song Toxic.
Tomorrow the 28-year-old will perform in the skate-off as she fights for her place on the ITV show following a wave of complaints to broadcast regulator Ofcom.
A source close to Ekin-Su said: “The general feeling among her family and friends is that she has ended up in this situation through absolutely no fault of her own.
“Ekin-Su was told what track she was skating to, what outfit she would wear and what moves she’d be delivering.
“The feeling is that the performance she gave didn’t go down well with viewers of a show which airs at tea-time on a Sunday night, particularly one which is a favourite with families."
Joey Essex opens up about falling for partner Vanessa Bauer
Joey Essex took to the ice rink for the first time last Sunday, and he has already fallen head over heels for his dance partner.
After being paired up with professional Vanessa Bauer for the competition, Joey recently opened up about falling for her.
“I’m truly blessed to be paired with Vanessa, I was very happy,” Joey said with a smile in an exclusive chat ahead of the series.
He added: “You’re close and you are touching each other’s legs . . . and everywhere else. You are very intimate and it can happen.
“Honestly I don’t know how people do this show when they’re married — it would be a disaster.
“People were saying to me, like, ‘If I was married . . . God!’ Lucky I ain’t got a ring on my finger, eh?”
Since being paired together in November, Joey and Vanessa, 26, have become almost inseparable.
The Vivienne & Colin Grafton
Welsh drag queen The Vivienne is paired with American skater and model Colin.
The 30-year-old star – also known as James Lee Williams – won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019.
Speaking about taking on the challenge The Vivienne said: “This is honestly a dream come true.”
Bookies reckon the pair could do well – naming them as fourth favourites out of the 11-strong line-up.
Ekin-Su faces the dance off
Ekin-Su looked disappointed last week while listening to the judges’ feedback.
Jayne Torvill said: “What I wanted to see was more skating and I think you can do it.”
“If you didn’t have your skates on it would have been a ten,” Christopher Dean cheekily added.
Ashely Banjo said: “Now I want to see if you can bring this without holding onto [your dance partner] and get you to skate on your own.”
Fans share frustration
Fans were furious Ekin-Su was awarded a similar score to her co-star Patsy Palmer and less than Siva and Joey.
“Love island fans coming to twitter to support Ekin-Su,” one said.
Another asked: “She was far better than Siva or Joey – why such a low score?”
Someone else added: “Well done @ekinsuofficial Bringing the comedy value too and it is only week 1.”
Michelle Heaton struggled to listen to judge’s comments
Just moments into the show, Michelle, 43, was reduced to tears after the judges made savage comments about her performance.
The star and her ice skating partner, Pavel Aubrecht, were the second pair to take to the stage and perform – but the panel didn’t seem to be impressed.
The panel gave a low score of 19 to Michelle’s performance.
Fighting back the tears, Michelle said: “I’m just so lucky to be here, and I’m sorry.”
Look back at the funniest moments
EastEnders actor Todd Carty had an unforgettable stint during the fourth series in 2009.
His first two routines failed to impress the judges, but it was during week 3 when he lost total control.
The former Grange Hill star stumbled and then, in a panic, completely slid out of vision away from the cameras into the backstage area.
This meant his professional partner, Susie Lipanova, was left to finish the routine alone on the ice.
Eventually, the actor made it back into the rink for the final pose as the dance was just coming to an end as he left the judges, studio audience, and viewers at home in absolute hysterics.
Fans spot feud on show
Fans fear Ekin-Su’s boyfriend Davide and her family are “feuding” after watching last week’s show.
Davide is sat separately from Ekin-Su’s mum and brother – and they didn’t react well to his awkward sex joke.
After Ekin-Su made her debut, host Holly Willoughby said it was the show’s “sexiest ever performance”.
Speaking to Davide in the crowd, Holly said: “Davide, I mean, how fit is your Mrs?”
Davide replied: “Yeah, I’m looking forward to going home.”
Surprised Holly laughed: “Well we’ll make sure she keeps the outfit.”
Dancing on Ice leaderboard for week one
Here are all the scores from a dramatic first episode of Dancing on Ice.
Nile and Olivia: 29.5
Joey and Vanessa: 27
Siva and Klabera: 24
Ekin-Su and Brendyn: 21.5
Patsy and Matt: 21
Michelle and Lucsz: 19
Vanessa makes raunchy joke
Joey Essex’s Dancing on Ice partner Vanessa Bauer made a raunchy sex joke during the opening show.
The professional skater couldn’t help but make a cheeky comment about the Towie star in the VT before their performance.
“It would be such a dream to go all the way with you,” Vanessa said.
Joey replied: “Aw that’s cute!”
That’s not the only bit that has indicated that the pair are very close.
In another clip Joey said: “Vanessa is single… I am single, there is going to be a little bit of flirting going on…”
Darren Harriott & Tippy Packard
Comedian Darren, 34, who is famous for shows including Love Island: Aftersun, has already made headlines with Tippy Packard.
He suffered an accident on the rink while rehearsing with her and was left with whiplash and unable to turn his head or lift one arm.
However, he promised fans a fiery routine when it comes to the live shows branding their partnership “spice on ice”.
Bookies have marked the pair as outsiders to win – but they could surprise us all yet.
Former professional skater reveals how viewers can figure out this year’s finalists
32-year-old Dancing On Ice professional skater Alex Murphy has revealed how viewers can figure out who will make it to the final of the 2023 series
She starred on the ITV show between 2018 and 2020.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Alex said: “The ones that want to go far… you’ll know from the beginning.
“They’ll want to dedicate themselves to it, you do put your life on hold for a few months.
“Their personal lives and their work lives on hold to dedicate themselves to make the show really good!”
Alex won Dancing On Ice with Joe Swash in 2020.