So Chris Fountain, Suzanne Shaw and Zaraah Abrahams made it to the final, which took place in one show over two hours. When this series began, the thought of being stuck watching it for two hours horrified me. Last night I could hardly wait for it to start. I suppose it’s like a kind of Stockholm Syndrome…
For the final, the contestants had to perform three routines – the first featuring the required element – flying (on wires), the second their own choice of favourite routine from the series. Then one would be knocked out and the final two would each get to perform a version of Torvill and Dean’s classic Bolero. If that wasn’t enough excitement, the audience had the final say, the judges’ scores counted for nothing.
Talking of Torvill and Dean, they opened the show with their own special version of Bolero accompanied by Julian Lloyd Webber on cello. Although my husband described it as “like a hackneyed rock band trotting out their greatest hits”, I thought it was beautiful. Of course, since according to the Torvill and Dean fans, I’m a heartless idiot who knows nothing about ice skating, I can only assume I must be wrong and it was crap.
Zaraah was out first out and immediately reminded me how much I loved the flying element last series. I was transfixed, covered in goosebumps and close to tears. It was beautiful, but rather than making me think Zaraah would be the winner, it gave me very high hopes for the other two. They scored 26 with Judge Robin Cousins commenting on the lovely connection between Zaraah and Fred.
In contrast, I was disappointed in Chris Fountain’s routine. I found it awkward and patchy. There were some lovely moments – I liked that he lifted Frankie and the final spin was good – but the rest of it was only okay. They scored 25.5, with the skating scores higher than the performance scores. As Nicky Slater said, Chris was controlling the routine because his weight is practically double that of his partner, but Ruthie said his transitions were really clumsy and I agree.
Suzanne programme was in a different league to other two. As Tony Gubba said it was hypnotic and it was over all too quickly, I could have watched it all night. So beautiful. She scored all sixes and I actually applauded, sitting there in my lounge (yes, like a big dork). Practically everyone was in tears, from co-presenter Holly Willoughby to Judge Karen Barber. Jason Gardiner described it as spectacular.
Next the finalists had to perform their favourite routines from the series and Zaraah chose Diamonds & Pearls, which was one of my favourites of hers too. It was another beautiful performance (yes, “beautiful” seems to be the word of the day) and this time I was less distracted by the fact that she looked naked from the waist down. I realised as I was watching that I felt totally in safe hands. I wasn’t expecting or worrying about a mistake, it was like watching a professional routine.
Chris chose Cry Me A River, which was not only my favourite of his routines, it was also one of my favourite routines of the entire series. It was just as gorgeous as the last time, although his blur spin wasn’t as fast. He scored 29 – three sixes and two 5.5s. Karen Barber said he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to Dancing on Ice.
Suzanne picked her programme for Madonna’s Music and, again, I had the urge to applaud at the end. She did a “headbanger with a bounce and twist” which Robin said he’s only seen one professional attempt. Fabulous. She got another well-deserved perfect score and her little boy was crying his eyes out, which made me cry.
Following another Torvill and Dean performance, the final two were announced … Suzanne and Matt and Chris and Frankie. Although I preferred Zaraah’s flying performance, Chris and Suzanne have been the best over the season as a whole so I was happy with that. And, let’s face it, from practically the beginning of the series, they would have been the two you would have chosen to see perform Bolero.
The couples had to choreograph their own versions of Bolero, the only stipulations being that they had to begin on their knees and end lying down.
Chris and Frankie were first and it was good, but it didn’t make me cry or give me goosebumps and that, apparently, is the standard of the night. I also didn’t think Chris looked entirely comfortable or confident. Robin said it was almost too intense and he missed “fun” Chris. I see what he’s saying, Chris didn’t seem comfortable, but I wouldn’t have wanted any fun in Bolero – it’s supposed to be intense.
Again I had much higher hopes for Suzanne and again it wasn’t quite as breathtaking as I expected, but it was better than Chris’s. Despite saying earlier that Chris was the best contestant they’ve ever had on the show, Nicky said Suzanne was his champion.
All the previous contestants were trotted out for a quick skate, including poor Michael Underwood with his foot still in plaster, bless him. Up until the final four, they weren’t actually all that good. Apart from Gareth and Zaraah, Suzanne and Chris were better than the rest of them put together.
And then, the results were announced … and Suzanne was the very well-deserving winner of an (ultimately) extremely entertaining show.
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