Week 2
The first couple up on boys' night was runner-up of series 4 Donal McIntyre and Frankie Poultney, who were skating to Berlin's Take My Breath Away. The crowd enjoyed the performance and had high expectations for the rest of the night. Robin gave Donal and Frankie a 5.5, saying it was "rusty and needed some more work", signalling some lower scores. Karen then gave Donal a 6.0, saying it was "good, but could've been much better". Ashley gave the performance a 5.0, saying that while Donal was "having fun", the skating "wasn't as good". Finally, Jason gave Donal a harsh score of 4.0, saying that "for an all star series, it was dreadful". This gave Donal and Frankie a score of just 20.5, the lowest of the series so far. The pair were both disappointed with the scores and the comments to go with them.
The second couple was series 7 champion Matthew Wolfenden and his partner Maria Filippov, who were skating to Reload by Sebastian Ingrosso. The crowd went wild for the performance, it was a real crowd pleaser! Robin gave the pair a 7.5, saying it had "a few mistakes, but overall an amazing performance". Karen then gave the performance a 7.5, saying it was "absolutely fantastic". Ashley also gave the performance a 7.5, saying that she was "jelly" of the pair. Finally, Jason gave Matthew a 7.0, saying that "for a first week performance, that was great". This gave Matthew and Maria a total of 29.5, which the pair looked delighted with.
The third couple onto the ice was series 8 semi finalist Gareth Thomas and Alexandra Schauman, who were skating to Higher And Higher by Jackie Wilson. The crowd enjoyed the performance, as they do with all of them. Robin gave Gareth a 6.5, saying it was "a great start" for the pair. Karen gave the performance a 7.0, saying it was "really good to see you [Gareth] back on the ice". Then, Ashley gave the pair a 6.0, saying it was "a good skate, but the performance needs working on". Finally, Jason gave Gareth and Alexandra a score of 6.0, saying that it "lacked the excitement of other dances". This gave the pair an overall total of 25.5, which both Gareth and Alexandra looked happy with.
The fourth couple up was another champion in series 2's Kyran Bracken and Robin Johnstone. They were skating to Fun.'s 2012 hit Some Nights. The crowd loved the performance and were clearly delighted to see Kyran back on the ice. Robin gave the performance an 8.0, saying it was "the best dance of the series so far". Karen also gave Kyran an 8.0, saying it was "an astonishing performance that most would look at in awe". After that, Ashley gave the performance a 7.5, saying it was "absolutely stunning" and that the pair were "one of the contenders". Finally, Jason gave the pair a 7.0, saying that "what was lacking in performance was made up for in the skating". (HA! SAID JASON GARDINER NEVER!). This gave Kyran and Robin a total of 30.5, the highest of the series so far, which the pair were both undoubtedly over the moon with.
The fifth couple up onto the ice was series 6 champion Sam Attwater and Vicky Ogden, who were skating to Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman's Something Stupid. The crowd enjoyed the performance, blah-dee-blah, la-dee-dah. Robin gave the pair a respectable 7.5, saying it was "technically and performance-wise very good". Then, Karen gave the performance a 7.5, which makes it seem like Karen is just copying Robin, saying that it was "a pleasantly surprising performance" from Sam. Ashley then gave the couple a 6.5, saying it was "an enjoyable performance that wasn't, like, fast". Finally, Jason gave Sam a 6.0, saying that it felt like "he didn't put his heart into the performance". That gave Sam and Vicky a total of 27.5, which they were both happy with.
The penultimate couple taking to the ice was series 7 finalist Chico and Melanie Lambert, who were skating to 2013 hit Love Me Again, by John Newman. Yet again, the crowd enjoyed the pair's performance. Robin gave them a 6.5, saying it had "many mistakes, but the overall skating was excellent". Karen then gave the performance a 6.5, yet again copying Robin, saying it was "technically good, but sadly littered with mistakes". Ashley gave the pair a 6.0, saying that she "loved it, despite the mistakes". And finally, Jason gave the performance a 5.0, saying that he "needed to mark down due to the amount of mistakes". This gave Chico and Melanie a score of 24.0, which, even though Melanie was happy with, Chico looked disappointed by.
The final couple was series 4 winner and arguably the best contestant of all time Ray Quinn and Nina Ulanova, who were skating to I Found You by The Wanted. The crowd went wilder than they'd ever been, even wilder than when they saw Todd Carty. Robin gave the performance an 8.5, saying it was "an unbeatable first performance", and that after all these years, Ray is "still the best of the best". Karen then gave the pair an 8.0, saying it was "slightly rusty, but still an exceptional first performance". Ashley gave Ray a 7.5, saying that she was "so glad to see this on real ice". More inspirational words from Ashley Roberts. Finally, Jason gave the performance a 7.5, saying it was "like he was in the grand final already", which does explain the high mark. This gave Ray and Nina a total of 31.5, the new highest score of the series, making the pair extremely happy.
Leaderboard
#1: Ray Quinn & Nina Ulanova - 31.5
#2: Kyran Bracken & Robin Johnstone - 30.5
#3: Matthew Wolfenden & Maria Filippov - 29.5
#4: Sam Attwater & Vicky Ogden - 27.5
#5: Gareth Thomas & Alexandra Schauman - 25.5
#6: Chico & Melanie Lambert - 24.0
#7: Donal McIntyre & Frankie Poultney - 20.5
In the results show, as with the previous one, Christine asked the four judges to say what their favourite performances were. Robin tried to avoid the obvious choice of Ray & Nina by saying Sam & Vicky, who surprised him with the slower routine. Karen, however, just said that Ray & Nina were her favourite couple in that show. Ashley then said that she couldn't decide between Kyran & Robin and Matthew & Maria. Finally, Jason said that Ray & Quinn were the "only couple he'd remember in a few months". Controversial words, Gardiner!
Then it was time for Phillip Schofield to reveal the results - who would be in the skate-off and who would be eliminated. The first couple through was... MATTHEW & MARIA!!!! Matthew and Maria both cheered and skated over to the "safe zone". The second couple safe from the skate-off was... RAY & NINA!!!! Ray and Nina looked ecstatic as they skated over to where Matthew and Maria were sat. The third couple through was... SAM & VICKY!!!! Sam and Vicky cheered and skated over to where the other safe couples were sitting. The fourth couple safe was... KYRAN & ROBIN!!!! Kyran and Robin sighed with relief as they skated over to the "safe zone". This left three couples - Chico & Melanie, Donal & Frankie and Gareth & Alexandra. The final couple through to the next show was... CHICO & MELANIE!!!! Chico and Melanie both looked shocked as they skated over to the "safe zone" to congratulations from the other couples. This left just two couples...
Donal and Frankie and Gareth and Alexandra were now about to skate again, but first, they revealed what performances they would be doing. Donal and Frankie revealed that they'd be performing their week 7 skate to Everybody Hurts by REM, while Gareth and Alexandra would be doing their week 8 performance to Hall of Fame by The Script and will.i.am. After both performances were done, it was time for the judges to decide who would go home...
KAREN BARBER: I would like to save Gareth and Alexandra.
ASHLEY ROBERTS: I would like to save Gareth and Alexandra.
JASON GARDINER: I would like to save Gareth and Alexandra.
ROBIN COUSINS: I would've saved Gareth and Alexandra.
Another clean sweep sends Donal McIntyre & Frankie Poultney home in 13th