People, we got our Dancing On Ice 2023 champions!
There could only be one pair to claim the prize after a nail-biting final of showcases and flawless 40s with The Vivienne, Joey Essex, and Nile Wilson.
In a really magnificent event, Nile and professional partner Olivia were crowned Dancing On Ice winners 2023.
The queen of drag The Vivienne, real name James Lee Williams, and partner Colin Grafton were named as third place earlier in the day, just missing out on the opportunity to perform Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean’s legendary Olympic performance.
It was a tough selection following two stunning boleros from crying gymnast Nile and pro Olivia, and Towie’s Joey and partner Vanessa Bauer.
As host Phillip Schofield shouted out his name, winner Nile was understandably taken aback.
He gave an emotional victory speech, thanking home audiences for their support.
‘If Dancing On Ice has anything to say of entertainment, we’ve got 11 human beings all different shapes and sizes stood on this stage tonight with an allocated time to get good at something and we proved that we can do that,’ he said.
‘So what an inspirational show. If you put your mind to something and you work hard you can achieve anything you want.’
He also thanked everyone who voted for them and stated that he will spend the night partying with those he ‘loves the most’.
Runner-up ‘I’m really thrilled for Nile and Olivia,’ Joey said after their victory. I made a few mistakes, but it was simply the finest time of my life; thank you, everyone.’
Fans of the popular ITV skating programme were overjoyed when the sportsman won, with over one million votes cast in just the final.
‘Yes they won! Congratulations Nile & Olivia well deserved’, one viewer tweeted.
‘Huge congrats Nile and Olivia you were amazing from show one’, penned another.
‘Yessssssssss!! So happy, loved watching Nile skate he made it look effortless every week and tonight’s final was amazing, well done to Joey coming runner up I wanted it to be out of those 2 to win so I’m so happy!!’, tweeted another thrilled fan.
Nile kicked off the final with a pirate-themed performance choreographed by Jayne and Chris.
Nile demonstrated his gymnastic ability and completed a handstand on parallel bars hung in the air, as well as the infamously difficult headbanger, which was the first time a male celebrity tried the manoeuvre.
After his performance, he stated that it was a “honour” to have the routine created by judges and former Olympic champion skaters Jayne and Chris.
Nile’s emotional night continued as he battled to fight back tears after playing his version of the Bolero.
‘We got to skate the most iconic ice dance of all time. And I knew this was Oliva’s dream as well. What an absolute pleasure, what a process it’s been. We’ve put our all into it and we gave 110% and you can see how much it means to us,’ he said proudly.
Yet, reality TV royalty Joey really gave Nile a run for his money, earning a flawless 40 for his first performance in which he represented the Greek hero Hercules.
While clad in a white toga, the actor completed a walkover and a backflip with his skating partner Vanessa.
Their Bolero later earned glowing praise from the judges too, as Chris told Joey: ‘You have come so far. I remember when we saw you on the ice way back when you couldn’t stand up, you were falling all over the place, it didn’t look like it was the job for you.
‘You’ve made us look silly because you’ve come here, you’ve gone through all the competition, you’ve got to Bolero and you finally performed that with emotion.’
Unfortunately, The Vivienne did not get to skate the legendary 1984 performance, but she left with a smile after becoming the show’s first drag queen.
‘It’s been the most amazing experience,’ she said following her elimination. ‘I’m so used to living out of a suitcase on a tour bus or somewhere and this has given me structure in my life and I’ve got fit and I’ve met the most amazing friend in Colin.’
The cast of 2023 also returned for one last routine, with Michelle Heaton, Mollie Gallagher, and Darren Harriott on the ice to surprise the audience one last time.
Dancing On Ice is available to stream on ITVX.
Source My Celebrity Life.