SERIES CHAMP
Dancing on Ice 2020 champion Joe Swash ‘robbed’ runner-up Perri Kiely of the trophy in shock result, claim fans
DANCING on Ice viewers crowned Joe Swash as their 2020 champion as he beat favourite Perri Kiely in the final.
It was a night of perfect 10s and standing ovations as the finalists put their heart, body and soul into three intense performances.
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Some viewers were thrilled to see dark horse Joe win - after he started off in week one at the bottom of the leaderboard.
But others were disappointed that Perri lost out after his "outstanding" Boléro and claimed he'd been "robbed".
One said: "There ya go. I've said it many times before...give the British public a vote at your peril. Guaranteed to f*** it up. I like Swashy, lovely lovely fella, but the show is about the BEST dancer on ice. Perri absolutely robbed."
Another added: "Joe Swash has had no dance background, no idea or practice on how to balance or trick or lift at all. To have his journey was beyond me! Well done, truly deserved! #DancingOnIce."
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Someone else said: "Well that was a surprise! That #bolero was outstanding @perrikiely !!! Quite a shock result #DancingOnIce."
Another added: "Joe Swash just beat Perri Kieley. Even the judges are shook!"
A viewer fumed: "As much as I love Joe Swash, Perry was absolutely robbed of that #DancingOnIce."
A fan added: "What a joke joe swash the winner...perri and venessa well and truly robbed, hands down the best performance ever seen on dol...will not be watching againPouting face#DancingOnIce."
While someone else argued: "Joe Swash and Alex totally deserved to win #DancingOnIce tonight. They’ve improved so much."
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Another added "Sorry, it wasn’t ‘most improved’ or ‘most popular’ - it was supposed to be ‘best dancer’. When you allow people to vote before the skating is finished you aren’t voting accurately. Joe did really well, but @perrikiely was superb. Best bolero EVER #DancingOnIce."
Announcing the result, host Phillip Schofield said: "You have voted for your champion and it all comes down to this. I can tell you the vote has been incredibly close. The winner of Dancing on Ice 2020 is Joe Swash."
A stunned Joe looked overwhelmed as he was crowned champion. He said: "Honestly, this has been the most amazing experience and to share it with Alex..."
Quizzing Perri on Joe's shock win, Phil said: "Everyone thought you had this in the bag."
Gracious in defeat, the Diversity star replied: "I've achieved everything I wanted to. Joe has come so far and I've genuinely made a friend for life with Joe, he's my brother. I love you mate."
Phil then turned to Joe to hand him the trophy and told him: "Most improved, most improved."
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Joe and partner Alex Murphy fought it out with Perri and partner Vanessa Bauer after blind Paralympian Libby Clegg MBE finished third with her partner Mark Hanretty,
After reaching the final two, Joe and Perri performed the iconic Boléro in front of judges Jayne Torvill and Christoper Dean.
Chris told Perri: "That's got to be the best Boléro we've ever seen."
It proved they had the edge - but viewers chose to vote Joe as the series champion.
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Judge Ashley Banjo told Perri: "You're my brother, you're family and sometimes when you're close you don't say the things you should, but you inspire me every day my friend."
Meanwhile Joe's partner Stacey Solomon was in the crowd with their baby son Rex and Joe's first born Harry, who shouted "go on dad" before every performance.
Stunned Stacey was seen sobbing after the result was announced as Joe's friends and family cheered from the sidelines.
Earlier in the evening Perri became the first ever celebrity to do a back flip on the ice.
Despite battling against nerves of a live audience, the Diversity dancer performed the dangerous move.
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"The consequences are seriously dangerous," said Perri ahead of the show.
"One slight thing that goes wrong and it can pretty much end in disaster."
But everything went without a glitch as he threw himself into the air and landed safely on both skates.
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Joe's dance partner Alex was overcome with emotion after they performed the Boléro.
She sobbed as judges praised their routine after making it to the final two.
In their showdance piece, Joe paid tribute to his late friend Caroline Flack by including the words Be Kind on a poster in the background.
And the show made history when Jayne and Chris' finale performance was shot with a single camera by a crew member on skates.
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