Dancing On Ice: Graham Bell becomes SECOND skater to be voted off after skate-off with Rebekah Vardy

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Graham Bell became the second skater to be eliminated from Dancing On Ice on Saturday night after facing Rebekah Vardy in the skate-off.

The Olympic skier, 54, skated an energetic routine to Born To Hand Jive from the musical Grease alongside partner Karina Manta, with the pair scoring a respectable 25 points.

But it wasn’t enough to save him from the chop as after skating against Rebekah, the judges voted to unanimously save the WAG, 38, and send him home.

Speaking after his elimination, Graham said he felt he could have given more to the show, but added that he will continue to skate in the future.

Following his enthusiastic routine earlier in the show, Graham received a mixed response from the judges.  

Commenting on his performance, judge Jayne Torvill remarked: ‘Last week there was more content, I want to see more of that.’

While Ashley Banjo observed he still ‘had a way to go creatively’.

Christopher Dean was slightly more harsh and after stating that Graham wasn’t in his ‘comfort zone’, added that the skier was simply ‘skating forwards and backwards’.

John Barrowman concluded that Graham’s ‘characterisation was spot on’, though he needed to work on his ‘finesse’. 

Following his exit, Graham said: ‘I felt like we’ve got a lot more … you know, technical skating and good skating, but … hey-ho.

‘I tell you what though, the skating really does work with skiing. I think I’ll use it in the future. I’m not going to quit skating, I’m going to keep skating.’

While Karina added: ‘I really have [enjoyed the experience]. I’m really impressed with Graham. 

‘We haven’t been skating together very long, but he’s just rolled with it and totally embraced the challenge.’

In honour of Musicals Week, host and former West End star Phillip Schofield donned his famous coat of many colours from his stint as Joseph in the show Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The noted that he and Jason Donovon – who also starred in the musical – would both be wearing their matching coats, however, he was left disappointed as the Australian star rocked up in an elaborate costume from Priscilla Queen Of The Desert.

Meanwhile, judge John Barrowman started proceedings with a fabulous performance as all of the skaters and their partners took to the ice. 

This week, the skating stars were tasked with completing the judges challenge, which saw them having to form a synchronised step sequence as well as three isolations on one foot.

And kicking off the Musical Week proceedings was former Coronation Street star Faye Brookes, who dazzled with a Mary Poppins routine to the song Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

The actress, who joked she ‘forgot to breathe’ during the performance, scored an impressive 29 points, however, she failed to match her record breaking debut score. 

Faye took to the ice first and speaking following her routine, she said : ‘I forgot to breathe!’ She added: ‘This is my world, I’m thrilled and what an iconic character. It’s been amazing.’ 

Commenting on her performance, Christopher Dean said: ‘[her score] could have been higher. You were a little bit careful, but it went a bit slower.’

Though he added that her judges challenge element and her spin were ‘excellent.’  

John Barrowman agreed with Chris, adding: ‘When the tempo of the song changed, you should have gone with it and I felt you stepped back.’

Jayne Torvill remarked she wanted : ‘More energy and speed over the ice’, while Ashley Banjo commented: ‘A little safe, less content, but beautifully presented.’

Up next was Rebekah Vardy and partner Andy, who performed the song Let’s Face The Music and Dance from Follow The Fleet, with the pair earning 25 points. 

Rebekah, clad in a blonde wig, remarked she was under ‘unbelievable pressure’ as Torvill and Dean had previously performed to that song, but added: ‘We had so much fun and I hope that showed.’  

Ashley remarked that she had ‘really nice moments in there’, but noted that she needed to work on her presentation. 

And while Chris commented that there was ‘lots of stylistic steps’, John incurred the wrath of Rebekah’s skating pals (and viewers at home) as he said: ‘Performance wise  – it was a bit stale’. 

While Jayne commented said she was impressed on how much the performance has been improved, adding she looked like enjoying she was enjoying herself.

Radio presenter Sonny Jay was up next and after receiving the golden ticket last week, he was feeling pretty confident – even carrying the ticket with him in rehearsals. 

Performing to Flash, Bang, Wallop! from Half A Sixpence, Sonny put on a stellar performance and earned a decent 28 points out of 40. 

Impressed with the performance, John enthused: ‘That’s musical theatre personified right there, on ice’.  

Jayne noted his ‘tricky steps’, while Ashley said: ‘I could have been way higher in the score’, noting he expected big things from Jay.

And though Chris said the performance made him ‘sit up and smile’, he had bad news for Sonny as he said the judges challenge and spin was ‘a little bit weak’. 

Next up was Olympian Amy Tinkler and partner Joe Johnson, with the pair drafted in at the last minute after Denise Van Outen was forced to pull out after dislocating her shoulder. 

And though the gymnast is certainly used to performing under pressure, she was undoubtedly thrown into the deep end after being tasked to perform to the song Fame from the musical of the same name.

She certainly rose to the challenge as she secured an impressive 28 points out of 40. 

Diversity star Ashley said her performance was ‘executed so well!’ while Chris commented on her ‘great choreography’.

However, Jayne was jeered by the socially-distanced audience of contestants and skaters as she complained that there wasn’t enough skate content. 

Dressed to impress on Saturday night was Jason Donovan, who pulled out all the stops with his outfit as he danced to Don’t Leave Me This Way from Priscilla Queen Of The Desert.

However, while his costume was on fine form, the same couldn’t be said for his skating and he scored a lacklustre 22 points – the lowest of the night. 

West End star John said that the ‘content and skating was all over the place’, while Jayne said though the performance was ‘fun’, he spent a lot of time on two feet.

Adding insult to injury, Ashley added that the routine was ‘all character over substance’ and was ‘missing content’, with Chris concluding that the skating was ‘understated’ – unlike Jason’s outfit. 

Up next was Lady Leshurr, who was determined to pull off a good performance after previously landing in the skate-off.

Dancing to If My Friends Could See Me Now from Sweet Charity, the rapper looked lovely in a red dress and fancy wig, joking afterwards that she felt ‘divine’.

However, her scores may not have been as divine as she hoped as she received a mixed review from the judges. 

Ashley exclaimed that he was ‘gutted’ that he couldn’t give her a higher score as she had a ‘few wobbles’ and a ‘big slip’ that he didn’t miss. 

Jayne also commented on her mistake, while Chris noticed she was ‘stumbling throughout’.

There was some better feedback from John however as he said he ‘loved’ her character, adding he was ‘seeing the lady come out of Lady!’

Dancing On Ice was thrown into chaos in recent days after three celebrities were forced to pull out of this weekend’s live show. 

Although two of the three celebrities are likely to return after a week off the ice, show bosses are said to be ‘preparing for every possible outcome.’

It’s thought that two of the three absentee stars will return: Rufus Hound, 41, is self-isolating after coming into contact with coronavirus, while Billie Faiers, 31, is taking the week off to grieve the loss of her grandmother Wendy.

Denise Van Outen, 46, however, who was skating with pro Matt Evers, 44, has permanently pulled out of the show after dislocating her shoulder. 

She has been replaced by gymnast Amy Tinkler, 21, who will skate with pro Joe Johnson this Sunday 

It’s also been claimed that producers are ready to call on stand-in Matt Richardson, 29, if anyone else should permanently drop out. 

A source told The Sun: ‘The trio of absences have caused major headaches. Bosses have to fill two hours in prime time. 

‘They thought the biggest hurdle would be getting the programme on air, but they couldn’t have foreseen coronavirus causing a contestant to drop out at the same time that two other stars left due to an injury and a bereavement. 

‘With such a run of bad luck, they’re preparing for every possible outcome. They’re taking nothing for granted.’