Dancing On Ice semi-finals kick off in style


Dancing On Ice’s semi-finals kicked off in style on Sunday evening, as the four remaining contestants battled for positions in next week’s grand finale. 

Ben Hanlin was the first hopeful to take to the rink with his professional partner Carlotta Edwards, after revealing she sliced his arm with her skating boots during an intense rehearsal.

Despite his minor injury, the magician, 33, was on cloud nine as he managed to gain his highest score of the series – 37.5 points out of 40.  

Kicking off: Ben Hanlin was the first hopeful to take to the rink during Dancing On Ice’s semi-finals on Sunday, after revealing professional partner Carlotta Edwards sliced his arm with her skating boots during an intense rehearsal

The dancers were in great spirits after after scoring 37 points on last week’s edition, but experienced a setback with the incident.  

Visibly concerned, the illusionist asked producers: ‘Can I still skate?’, before producers gave him the go-ahead. 

After performing a solo 45-second set before the Canadian dancer stepped in for a Jazz-inspired routine, judge Ashley Banjo awarded Ben with a 9, before John Barrowman, Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, all scored him 9.5s. 

‘I’ve been stressed all week so I’m relieved’, he cheered.

Oh dear: The dancers were in great spirits after after scoring 37 points on last week's edition, but experienced a setback with the incident

Oh dear: The dancers were in great spirits after after scoring 37 points on last week’s edition, but experienced a setback with the incident

Watch them go! Despite his minor injury, the magician, 33, was on cloud nine as he managed to gain his highest score of the series - 37.5 points out of 40

Watch them go! Despite his minor injury, the magician, 33, was on cloud nine as he managed to gain his highest score of the series – 37.5 points out of 40

After surviving the skate-off for a second week in a row, Libby Clegg MBE raised the roof with a skilled number which earned her 39 points out of 40.

Receiving two 10s from Olympic winners Jayne, 62, and Chris, 61, the Paralympic sprinter, 29, admitted she was worried about dancing alone as she told hosts Holly Willougby and Phillip Schofield: ‘I was so terrified, I’m not going to lie.’  

Last week, Perri Kiely and Vanessa Bauer gained the first perfect 10 of the series from all the judges except Chris.

Hoping to win the skater over, the Diversity star and his professional partner, 23, transformed into commander Perri and magnificent Vanessa for a superhero-inspired dance.

Perri attempted to top his personal best, but scored a 9 from his Diversity co-member Ashley, 31, a 9.5 from actor John, 52, and 10s from dancing duo Jayne and Chris.

Despite scoring lower than last week’s dance, the hunk enthused: ‘I wanted a 10 from Christopher! 

‘We’ve been so focused on two routines, so I always think, is my posture right?’

Ashley was met with boos from the audience for his score, but stood by his evaluation as he shared: ‘There’s no doubt about it, your skating is unreal, but from a choreography standpoint, that was one of your weakest skates.’

Ahead of next week’s show, it has been claimed that former contestant Caprice Bourett has been banned from the series final after she publicly slammed ITV in the wake of her fall out with Hamish Gaman.

The model, 48, is said to be not be ‘welcome’ at the grand finale which traditionally sees all celebrity contestants from the series gather for one last time.

The news comes after Caprice, who quit the show earlier this month, hit out at show bosses for not having a ‘duty of care’ after she accused Hamish, 36, of ‘bullying’ her.

A source told the Daily Star: ‘Producers want the final to be a celebration. There is so much planned for the big night. 

‘So the last thing they want is for the focus to be on Caprice. They don’t want her there. Her exit is not something they want to dwell on. So everyone will be back apart from her.’ 

Meanwhile, a show insider told MailOnline: ‘Caprice’s representatives clearly stated at the time of her departure that she was “no longer participating in Dancing On Ice”. 

‘There have been no discussions of bans or warnings from series producers because her taking part in the show simply ended at that point. Suggestions that any such conversations took place are complete nonsense.’ 

A separate source told MailOnline: ‘Caprice was never planning on going to the finals after she had quit. She does not want any affiliation with Dancing on Ice after what has happened. 

‘Caprice is up for a prestigious business award tonight for her continued work in entrepreneurship and encouraging women in business.’

MailOnline has contacted a Dancing On Ice spokesperson for comment at the time of publication.    

Dancing On Ice’s finale will air next Sunday at 6pm on ITV.  

Drama: It has been claimed that axed Caprice Bourett has been banned from the final after she slammed ITV in the wake of her fall out with Hamish Gaman (pictured together in January)

Drama: It has been claimed that axed Caprice Bourett has been banned from the final after she slammed ITV in the wake of her fall out with Hamish Gaman (pictured together in January)