Dancing On Ice viewers slammed the show’s ‘unfair’ voting rules during Sunday’s grand final.
Tensions heated up in the competition as Joey Essex skated with partner Vanessa Bauer, while Nile Wilson danced with Olivia Smart and The Vivienne skated with Colin Grafton.
But racing to Twitter viewers were quick to brand the show just a ‘popularity contest’ after lines opened before any of the finalists had even skated.
One frustrated fan wrote: ‘How can people be asked to vote (at a cost) when nobody has skated yet?’.
While another added: ‘The skating is pointless if you can vote already. Its just a popularity contest’.
Hitting out: Dancing On Ice viewers slammed the show’s ‘unfair’ voting rules during Sunday’s grand final (L-R) Finalists Nile Wilson, Olivia Smart, The Vivienne, Colin Grafton, Joey Essex and Vanessa Bauer
Furious: Racing to Twitter viewers were quick to brand the show just a ‘popularity contest’ after lines opened before any of the finalists had even skated after hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield (pictured) made the announcement
A third said:’Why is the #DancingOnIce vote open before the contestants have even started? Are they not even pretending they want a fair competition rather than a popularity contest?’.
While another added: ‘DancingOnIce what is the point of anyone skating if we can vote before they skate? Just goes to show it’s a popularity contest not a skating contest’.
Sunday’s final saw Nile made history as the first male contestant to perform the headbanger during the grand final.
He was given the maximum amount of points for the show-stopping routine with judges, Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Jayne Torvill and Chris Dean all scoring him 10.
The headbanger, or the bounce spin, sees a skater picked up their ankle and spun round by their partner.
Due to the potential danger, the move is actually banned by the International Skating Union (ISU), which governs competitive skating.
Performing the move at an ISU event will see points deducted by the judges, but it can be used in routines for exhibition or show skating.
Speaking ahead of his routine Nile said: ‘There’s going to be eight other professionals on the ice and it very very intimidating. I need to blend in with them and not stand out.’
Big night: Tensions heated up in the competition as Joey Essex skated with partner Vanessa Bauer, while Nile Wilson danced with Olivia Smart and The Vivienne skated with Colin Grafton
Not happy! One frustrated fan wrote: ‘How can people be asked to vote (at a cost) when nobody has skated yet?’
‘A hell of a lot can go wrong in this routine, it’s the biggest challenge I have ever attempted on this show!’
Commenting on the routine, Ashley said: ‘After the week I know you’v e had, to pull that routine off cleanly with no mistakes is incredible’
Oti said: ‘The passion, the thrill, the way you push yourself every week, this performance was worthy of a 10’
Dangerous: Tense: Sunday’s final saw Nile made history as the first male contestant to perform the headbanger during the grand final
The Vivienne was up next with a jam-packed routine, which they skated to Katy Perry’s Dark Horse, and scored a massive 40 points with partner Colin.
After smashing the performance, the Drag Queen said: ‘I will remember this for the rest of my life!’
Oti said: ‘For me, I’ve always thiught you are a great performer but there’s something so special about you, thank you for showing us power and control.’
Chris added: ‘It was so nice to see it come together tonight, it was so strong, well done’.
Show-stopping performance: Joey Essex transformed into Hercules for his showcase skate with professional partner and beau Vanessa
Wow: The Vivienne was up next with a jam-packed routine, which they skated to Katy Perry’s Dark Horse, and scored a massive 40 points with partner Colin
Impressive: After smashing the performance, the Drag Queen said: ‘I will remember this for the rest of my life!’
Joey Essex transformed into Hercules for his showcase skate with professional partner and beau Vanessa.
Like Nile and The Vivienne, the pair also got tens across the board and were praised by the judges.
‘I have had the time of my life this has been the best experience. I have enjoyed every single day. It couldn’t have gone any better,’ Joey gushed after his performance.
‘I’m so proud of you bro, I really hope people can get behind you,’ Judge Ashley Banjo admitted.
Christopher Dean added: ‘It really was from zero to hero tonight!’
The grand final saw the finalists and their pro partners perform three routines – a showcase routine, a battle skate and for the final two, a Boléro.
Head judges and ice legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will choreograph the showcase routines, with the pair no doubt having high expectations of Nile as he takes on the showstopping move.
Tonight the winner is purely down to the audience and voting is already open. Viewers can vote online up to five times for free.
DOI presenter Holly Willoughby looked incredible in a dazzling silver gown by Sophie Couture as she introduced the finalists alongside co-host Phillip Schofield.
DANCING ON ICE 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
PATSY PALMER
AGE: 50
PROFESSION: Actress and DJ
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve turned it down before because I was terrified, but when I turned 50 I made a pact to get out of my confront zone. ‘
EKIN-SU CULCULOGLU
AGE: 28
PROFESSION: Love Island star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve got some amazing news to tell you. I’m so excited, I can’t wait to get myself on the ice and skate. Stay tuned and see you on the ice.’
MOLLIE GALLAGHER
AGE: 24
PROFESSION: Actress
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve not got the best coordination so when people find out they will laugh, but I don’t want to spend my life saying “I can’t do this, I can’t do that.”
JOEY ESSEX
AGE: 32
PROFESSION: Ex TOWIE star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited. I wanted something in my life with structure and it’s more serious than what I usually do.’
CARLEY STENSON
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Actress and West End star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited that I get to learn how to dance…on ice! I’m terrified but can’t wait – I just want to make the most of this whole experience.’
SIVA KANESWARAN
AGE: 33
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I want to learn how to skate and make my family proud of me and put on a show for everyone to see.’
JOHN FASHANU
AGE: 60
PROFESSION: Former footballer and pundit
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I am definitely in it to win it.And this may be one of the scariest things I’ve ever signed up for but I couldn’t be more ready for the challenge!’
NILE WILSON
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: Olympic gymnast
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve not done much ice-skating but I am so excited for the opportunity. I’m so excited to get into that routine and to feel like an athlete again.’
JAMES LEE WILLIAM AKA THE VIVIENNE
AGE: 29
PROFESSION: Drag queen
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘To be the first drag artist to take part in one of the big UK reality competition shows is an honour and a big step forward for queer representation on TV.’
DARREN HARRIOT
PROFESSION: Comedian
AGE: 34
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve got giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance. My family has already made bets – they’re making bets that I’ll fall on the first episode!’
MICHELLE HEATON
AGE: 43
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve always wanted to do it but I know I would never have been able to complete anything because of the way I was 18 months ago, so I’m really truly grateful that I’ve got it this year when I’m a lot stronger.’