Sorry to bump this old thread
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Heart-stopping stunts, stacks of sequins and several applications of fake tan can only mean one thing â Dancing on Ice is back.
Stars of the tour skated into Birmingham last night for a glittering show that brought the magic of the hit television series to the doorstep of thousands of fans.
Starring contestants from all five series, the celebrities and the professional ice dancers performed a series of jaw-dropping routines that regularly brought the crowds to their feet in rapturous applause. The biggest cheers of the night went to Emmerdale actress Hayley Tamaddon, who won the last series after being partnered with her childhood best friend Daniel Whiston.
But there were also screams for Hollyoaks heart throb Chris Fountain, a runner-up on series three and last yearâs winner Ray Quinn.
The two-and-a-half hour performance at the LG Arena kicked off with an incredible opening sequence. The rink was transformed into a circus, with a masked Jayne Torvill and ringmaster Christopher Dean leading the way.
Clowns whizzed around jesters, while a silver robot shot around with pyrotechnics sparking from his skates, four dancers donned horse costumes and were hoisted into the air on wires and spun round like a carousel.
Judges Karen Barber and Nicky Slater were joined by a sequin-clad Christopher Biggins, rugby star Kyran Bracken and guest judge Dave Clarke from Heart FM, while former contestant TV presenter Andi Peters was the host.
Each couple performed for the judges in the first half, all hoping to be crowned winner.
Actress Claire Buckfield showed sheâd not lost her touch by performing an almost perfect and graceful routine with Lukasz Rozycki.
Inbetweeners actress Emily Atack, who at just 20 is one of the youngest contestants and dazzled in a slinky pink dress as she glided around the ice while her proud mother, Crossroads actress Kate Robbins, cheered from the crowd.
Hayley and Daniel performed the Indian-inspired routine to Jai Ho that gained them the last series highest score, attracting four sixes and bringing the audience to a standing ovation.
Boyzone star Mikey Graham had to pull out of last nightâs show due to illness, to the disappointment of fans whoâd brought banners to cheer him on.
The second half included dazzling routines by the professionals and the stars, while Torvill and Dean left the audience in awe with an airborne version of Bolero, flying around the hall holding on to scarves suspended from the ceiling.
In the climax, Fountainâs Bolero won the judges over and he was crowned the winner.