Dancing on Ice: Running Commentary, Week Two

Time to kick ice, say the boys, but first - it's the Pro boys with T&D: It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing - lucky Jayne, all of 'em to herself. Love that train move, very cool, no pun intended! They're looking to eclipse Ray with this crop of lads - toughest first week routines ever!

Jason's already taken a scalp - it's tied round his neck.

Garia out first - roller blading experience, he's at Lea Valley - that was my local haunt when I went through a phase of ice skating! Musically, he prefers something slow as Dancing Is Not His Thing - but they've given him All Right Now! Let's hope so - good, clean skating, very calm, too calm, needed to inject a bit more personality and general oomph, let himself go and get into the music. Polite, Jason said - I'd have to agree. The calmness belying big nerves. Score: 17.5 Gary said: “I’m so pleased to get through it without dropping Maria. It’s good fun.” The judges said:
Jason Gardiner (scored 3) “It was alright now and then and the reason being is because you were incredibly polite, almost borderline dull. Watch your free arm because there’s no life or energy in it. There were, however, moment of grace so I think you have potential to grow in this competition.” Karen Barber (scored 4) “You hate to make mistakes, you hate to get things wrong but it’s part of learning. A lot of it is right everything’s in the right place We’re talking about confidence and that little more showbiz and presentation that Jason is looking for but otherwise it’s a great start.”

Hilandra wants another eight weeks to train, but he's been inspired by the girls. Dancing to Everlasting Love, the Doctor has potential, not too shaky, he's got lovely elegant arms. And he's so nice! Score: 11.5 Hilary said: “We’ve all been injured and had aches and pains but I’ve loved it.” The judges said: Nicky Slater (scored 2) “That reflects the speed and some of the lack of confidence in certain moves. But I find myself smiling you when I watch the pair of you skate. You have a good neckline so I think you’ve accomplished a lot for your first week.” Emma Bunton (scored 2.5) “Firstly you, I would like to say, the oldest contestant we’ve ever had on the show and I think as you get older you lose nerve so I think it’s very, very brave of you. Your posture wasn’t great and I felt you needed to support your partner a bit more but it was surprisingly endearing. I loved it, it was sweet.”

A flying visit to the girls' training: Daniella says this week's routine is a million times harder than last week's; Tana's working on chemistry; Hayley going for sexy not cheesy; Sharron is emotionally exhausted; Emily says Fred's getting tough; Heather can't imagine it getting even harder!

Dannie - a quick learner on their hands, so they've given him a toughie. One word: Sinitta!! Viva la Vida ... fantastic skating, musical, he went for it and nailed all the fancy footwork, even while singing. He is the cheeky chappie too, engaging. Score: 18 Danny said: “it was amazing, one of the best things I’ve ever done I really enjoyed it.” The judges said: Emma Bunton (scored 4) “Yes I thought you were first, exciting and flirty, I would love to dance with you. You lost the timing a little but I couldn’t take my eyes off your muscles.” Jason Gardiner (scored 3) “There were moments that were great then at times you looked like Frodo on steroids. You’ve just got to watch it as you have infantile arms. I did think you had great partnering and good life and with a bit more focus and practice I think you could be lord of your rink.” Robin Cousins (scored 3.5) “Be very careful you will need the basics, you have such potential I can’t wait to see what the weeks bring.”

Bobblly: Their challenge, if they choose to accept it - he's a busyBobby! Got My Mind Set On You, a good tune for him, he went for it but possibly trying too hard to be Mr Personality. Skating tentative but that's probably lack of training time. Score: 10.5 Bobby said: “I’m just glad I got round without falling over. I loved it!” The judges said: Nicky Slater (Scored 2.5) “The skating skills need development but the entertainment you had me smiling from ear to ear from the first moment. I hope you stay in because you’re such an entertainer.” Jason Gardiner (scored 2) “I thought you were going to be dreadful and you were. Technically a lot of problems there, posture also you have hands like a Mickey Mouse watch – you’ve got to work on your presentation skills I think what we do have with you is a great showman.” Karen Barber (scored 2) “It was a little bit like watching Todd (Carty) in time but it’s not been easy for you – you really struggled but you want this as much as all of them.”

Kieranne borrowing confidence from pal Chris Fountain for Beat Again and it works - full of energy, timing great, having fun. Good job. Score: 17.5 - but what bizarre scoring 2.5 up to 4.5. And did anyone else's screen go dark for a second there, or is it just mine on the blink? Kieron said: “I can’t believe it I’m on Dancing on Ice, how mad is that?” The judges said: Jason Gardiner (scored 2.5) “Look what I will say is that there was good energy I didn’t feel a connection with your partner. I think however you will progress and make sure there is a connection with your partner.” Nicky Slater (scored 4.5) “I saw a flowing over the ice – I saw you doing moves that linked with no gaps. A load of development to come and you worked well as a couple.”

Jeresie - an ex-ballet dancer - so I'm expecting some nice lines. No skating skills though, and a hamstring injury and gangrene too, by the look of his leg! It's a Mans Mans Mans World. Slow but smooth and lyrical, expressive, with more training time on the ice, who knows? I'm throwing a vote his way to see. Score: 12.5 Jeremy said: “I’m so terrified I’m happy its over!” The judges said: Robin Cousins (scored 2.5) “What it needs is some passion and drama for this particular performance. It’s also about the speed and you made everyone look like speed demons. It was really quite slow and very laboured in places. It is great that you have this wonderful stature you have the dance training it now needs to help you catch up.” Emma Bunton (scored 3) “I love my job you look so gorgeous your body is amazing. I thought your lines were beautiful, I would obviously like some more speed in your skating but you conveyed so much emotion for me personally. I really enjoyed it.” Karen Barber (scored 2.5) “Training hasn’t been consistent. It was slow it was cautious. I hope you’re here next week because I want to see you skate more. I see you more relaxed in training and that will come out now hopefully, with more confidence. ”

Mikanie, a poignant start followed by a bumpy ride! But then - he gets it! Let's Dance and he did - enjoyed himself a bit too much and stumbled, losing confidence a little, but overall, thoroughly enjoyable and lovely skating. His attitude is fantastic, totally going for it. Score: 16 Mikey said: “It was difficult a couple of stumbles there. I am happy enough with that.” The judges said: Jason Gardiner (scored 2.5) “It was a shame about the trips. I don’t think that you bounced back from those slips, certainly the one into the end - really got away from you. Good chorographic interpretation, keep your head up you tend to look down onto the ice too much.”
Emma Bunton (3.5) “I know how difficult it working with a band then having to come out and do something on your own. It’s your time to shine baby! Your performance was strong, your moonwalk was very cool, such a shame about the slip up. For me the boys have been stronger, more elegant, more graceful than the girls last week and I’m quite surprised by that.” Robin Cousins: “Very, very strong. You said at the beginning you’re used to standing behind the other boys in the band, if you hadn’t have had that slip these boys here would have been standing way behind you. You have a natural skaters posture which is great, you can’t teach it, you just have it. I’m very excited to see how you will progress in the weeks to come.”

Hm, a tale of two halves, as they say - four competent skaters versus three less so - it's going to be mighty close and my head is saying the two at the opposite end of the spectrum, personality wise, for the skate-off - Gary versus Bobby.

The Skate Off: A quick recap first, before The Saturdays perform with Mel and Fred; Lukas and Alexandra. No, I've no idea where Lukas came from either. Danny stood out for Robin; Jeremy a let down for Jason.

Safe: Hilandra; Kieranne; Dannie; Jeresie - Ha! In Your Face, Jason, ner! But oh, dear - if Bobblly aren't in the skate-off, the judges are well stuffed! Safe: Mikanie! Of course they are, you think the Boyzone fans would let him down? So it is Garia V Bobblly and normally, I'd say Garia were through, but after last week, who knows? Don't understand Robin saying that neither should be there - Bobby was bottom of the leaderboard?! Garia didn't make a mistake, so theoretically ... yes, safely through unanimously, even with the confusion over what day it is! Loving seeing Phil get the joke a couple of seconds late! And a shame to lose the bubbly Molly so soon.

Bobby said: “I’m obviously extremely disappointed. I know I wasn’t the best skater and lets face it you’ve got to be the best skater to win this - that’s what I believe and I didn’t cut it. I’ve had the most fantastic time.”

Tune in again, Dancing on Ice Friday at 8pm, ITV1 and again on Sunday, when the remaining twelve will take to the ice.