Dancing on Ice 2011 - The semi-final

By Jason Wright (Entertainment Expert)

THEY thought it would be tough but never this tough.  For Chloe, Johnson, Laura and Sam, they had to learn how to skate on their own in a pressurised task to reach this Sunday’s Dancing on Ice final.

Chloe Madeley

Out of all of the final four, Chloe had the public advantage as she had never been in the skate-off.  Her main performance was once again pleasing, but a nasty fall when her and pro partner Michael Zenzini’s blades became tangled lost her vital marks and in her solo routine, she didn’t really put much emphasis and it lacked momentum as a result.

COUPLES SCORE: 21.0

SOLO SCORE: 20.0

ACCUMULATED TOTAL: 51.0/60.0 (3rd)

Johnson Beharry

MEAN: Jason Gardiner criticised Johnson's performance, AGAIN!

People will indeed question why he is still here but the fact is, Johnson just hasn’t given up and so deserves to be here on merit.  The main performance was the best that he could deliver in the situation but it did wind the criticism of a certain Mr. Gardiner.  His solo skate was a real letdown, no energy and no commitment; it was certainly the worst week to expose his weakness.

COUPLES SCORE: 18.5

SOLO SCORE: 15.5

ACCUMULATED TOTAL: 34.0/60.0 (4th)

Laura Hamilton

The headbanger move really needs some guts and skill to pull off and Laura has that to the core.  In a situation where she really wanted to assert herself as front-runner, it was something she had to execute and did…by just the narrowest of margins.  The solo spot was bang on and she perhaps couldn’t have asked for more as she delivered.

COUPLES SCORE: 28.0

SOLO SCORE: 26.5

ACCUMULATED TOTAL: 54.5/60.0 (2nd)

Sam Attwater

Although he may have lost his way in recent times, Sam’s competitive start still ranks him as competition favourite.  Not wanting to be outdone by rival Laura, he too executed the headbanger, and also had a very close call with it to cause a tie in the leaderboard after round one.  However, he went one better in the solo round but perhaps the judges scores were somewhat of a safe measure.

COUPLES SCORE: 28.0

SOLO SCORE: 27.5

ACCUMULATED TOTAL: 55.5/60.0 (1st)

The Result

BRAVE: Johnson Beharry has fought hard, but not enough for the final

Only two couples could be assured of spots in the grand final and as widely expected, Sam and Laura earned those places with Chloe and Johnson having to rely on the judge’s decision for the final place.     

     This was Chloe’s first time in the skate-off in Johnson’s second in three weeks.  It is indeed the worst possible time to leave the show but in the end, it was no contest.  Chloe was by far the stronger and earned approval from all three of the judges.  Hard luck on Johnson though.  He has been brave and courageous and thoroughly deserved a standing ovation from the crowd after his elimination.  This will not be the last we hear of him, mark my words.

     However, it is the final that everyone had been predicting and hoping.  Chloe Madeley, Laura Hamilton and Sam Attwater have been the best three skaters this series by far and will do battle in the final.  Next week, they will compete to win Dancing on Ice 2011 and there will be a few changes to its format.  Sadly, the flying routines have gone but what hasn’t changed is the prize for the final two.  They will still get to skate their version of Torvill & Dean’s unique Bolero routine.  Who are you supporting to win?