I've watched Dancing on ice from series 1 and there is one move I hate and it is the headbanger. The reason why I hate it is because.

A) It never really fit's in a routine well.
B) It's too dangerous.
C) It ruined two great performances last night.
D) I've found that a lot of sick people pray that the female celeb will either bang their head on the ice or the male celeb will let go of their partner.
E) Instead of including it why don't T & D think up something new.

So i've got to ask should it finally be axed?

Yes - I hate it too.

It doesn't look attractive and it stops a routine dead because everyone has to get into position.

It's also been seen far too many times - surely there is another lift to try?

It is simply a 'show off trick' which may add excitement and danger/technical skill to a performance but doesn't always enhance what can be a brilliant routine which would be far better if a different lift was included.

I don't mind it

I think this is one move that goes in favour of the girls.

Physically, it is very different move for the man vs the woman.

For the girl, it is a somewhat easier move, and looks really impressive. They have to have the confidence to be picked up and swung around, and as long as they hold the position and dont flap, it is the pro that is in control.

For the male celeb, it poses far greater risks. Not only do they have to be secure on their feet, with the extra weight/balance issues of swinging the girl, they also have to be aware of where her head is above the ice. Potentially, this is very risky, with blades potentially being grabbed badly, heads being smashed on the ice. The pro-female has to have total confidence in the celeb, who 6 weeks ago possibly couldnt stand up on the ice.

In my opinion, the guys get a raw deal with this, everyone celebrates how amazing the girls headbangers are, they are a WOW move. Yet the skill involved for the man far outweighs what the girls have to do, but the man still does not get the same amount of praise if the move does not look as spectacular.

eg, the headbangers of Jorgi vs Matt. Hers was good, yes, but the stepping out of the move was messy, and without her pro grabbing her for grim death, round the waist, she would have fallen over.

Matts was maybe not as spectacular and Nina ballsed the landing, but he completed the move and attempted to do the bouncing aspect getting close to the ice.

I think that the spectacular lifts should be limited to a certain number per routine;

1. To make it more fair for the male/female celebs
2. Make the SKATING the main point of the routine
3. Expose those female celebs who spend most of the routine being carried around the ice.

The headbanger is a stupid dangerous irresponsible stunt which has nothing to do with skating skill and everything to do with cheap sensationalism. One of these days someone is going to get concussion or worse, and then the blame-dodging will start. I bet they are made to sign waivers absolving ITV of all liability if they get seriously injured or killed.

I voted yes. I think it's a bit dangerous and I find it hard to watch. If they do decide to keep it though maybe they should wear helmets.

Most definitely.

i dont mind it, bit it doesnt really fit into a routine seamlessly. it never looks elegant and graceful. it doesnt add a thrill to my viewing of it, it has been done too often to hold any excitment to a programme. maybe the should reverse the roll and the girl takes the male into a headbanger, now that would be thrilling and a spectacle to watch.

I voted yes, but not because I think it's particularly dangerous for the female celebs. They're only given it when they can prove they can hold themselves properly, and if you watch closely their head is never *that* close to the ice - they tend to perform with their hair down so it's their hair whacking the ice, meaning they can have the 'Oooh, look how close!' moment without it actually meaning anything. The male celebs are obviously a different story.

Anyways, I voted yes because I think it's fecking hideous.

Totally agree. Best part this year was the UST on saturday where they actually had to skate on their own. What is showed was that Matt is the strongest skater followed by Chico. Jen the weakest. It could have shown that Jorgie was despite being carried around alot or it could have shown that Chico was despite having no dance background.
I enjoy lifts but often the girls are carried and of course, a smaller man or a taller woman (Chemmy) are at a disadvantage in the competition. This is after all DANCING on ice not PAIRS skating. I don't know what the rules are now, but at one time lifts were banned in ice dancing then a few were let in but lifts were not allowed to be overhead. Think they should stick to this to level the playing field - the lifts should be more on balancing than strength of the male.

It's just supposed 'thrill' for viewers who want blood and gore and aren't brave enough to do it themselves. It should never, ever have been included.

I agree it never flows - well at this level it doesn't - the interruption of the flow is ugly this happens with other lifts but never looks so contrived. It's not safe either imo the celebrities have not been training for years.

Both headbangers this last weekend really spoiled two lovely routines.

I sometimes wonder if this show really goes out live, or if they record it an hour or so beforehand, as a precaution in case something really serious goes wrong. We have never seen a disaster in the broadcast.

The shame is, it has now become one of the key moves which only the most capable celebs get given. So as such it plays a role in telling the viewers, most of whom won't have the knowledge to spot when someone can do a good step sequence, who is 'good'.

Personally I do hate it though, for it's lack of artistic contribution to a routine and the danger aspect.

I would really love if it was stopped. I love watching Matt skate but last night I just wanted the routine to be over so that the headbanger would be over. Really hate it.

It should be removed.

It's too dangerous, its banned in professional competition due to it being too dangerous, thats with seasoned skaters who have been practicing their craft for years.

It always looks messy and it overpowers the performance as the celeb skater has it on their mind and their training for that week has been pretty much devoted to it.

One day, someone will get seriously hurt doing it.


Like I said on another thread, I would much prefer they spent a couple of weeks teaching the celeb a jump and start incorporating that kind of trick into the performance. It shows a level of skill, it looks better as a trick and as Chris Fountain proved, they can be done by a celeb; he pulled off an Axel - rough sure, but still pretty much managed it.

I wouldn't be surprised if Matt or Jorgie could pull off some kind of jump (not necessarily an axel) if the time was dedicated to it instead of the stupid headbanger.

Chico might even have the strength to get clearance off the ice too.

I have been in the studio several times to watch the show and it very much goes out live.
Only bits that get pre recorded are any complicated opening numbers that involve, musicians,props etc as they need time to move the stuff from set, this gets recorded directly before the show goes out just after the audience have been allowed in.
The only other minor section that gets recorded is the bit at start of skate off show when they are all standing in a line that gets recorded in the ad break just prior to it going out

It never seems to add anything to any routine and I have yet to see it fit seamlessly.

It's clever but boring, and also unfair, as it is surely a lot easier for a pro male to swing his celeb partner around than it is for a male celeb to swing his pro skater around.

But it's surely also become old hat now; we see it trotted out in every series. I'd like to see something new, and more attractive to watch.

This is absolute rubbish.
I love it,I dont want blood and gore,I want to watch an exciting thrilling routine..simple as.

and it is exciting, thrilling why? Nothing graceful about it, far too much concentration and, as others have said, interrupts the flow of the dance and more than likely deters some 'celebs' from taking part. More suited to a fairground thrills section. Should be removed but then we would lose Schofield doing is obituary voice so it's unlikely. All you thrill seekers are safe and I expect the contract with the local private ambulance service will be renewed.

It's tedious-dangerous, meaning it might be scary if it wasn't so over-familiar and boring.

please stop trying to take some high moral ground .
Some people will enjoy it and some wont,I find it thrilling you dont,theres no need to try and lay some bizzare guilt trip on those that like it.
Yes it interupts the flow,so does props and costumes and many lifts..so what,its a light entertainment show on a weekend as a bit of escapism,maybe wires should never be used on strictly,maybe BB should have dull tasks instead of those that involve any sort of possible injuries,the list goes on..its a reality tv show and celebs make a conscious choise to go on these shows..the headbanger is not compulsary so why should it stop celebs wanting to go on the show?

I don't think it should be axed but it should be used a lot less.

It seems now every year they must use it and its a 'sacred' move to get those high scores.

I guess it also depends on the music/routine. Some just don't fit and some do.