Dancing On Ice: it's the semi-final!

Dancing On Ice: it's the semi-final!
Dancing On Ice: it's the semi-final!

The tension has been mounting in Dancing On Ice 2010 as the four remaining skaters competed for a place in the final on Sunday night's show. Hayley Tamaddon, Gary Lucy, Danniella Westbrook and Kieron Richardson all faced the tricky task of having to skate solo for the first part of their routine before being joined on the rink by their skating partners. And once again Hayley regained her position at the top of the judges' scoreboard, notching up 27.5 points out of 30, including a 6.0 from Robin Cousins. "It was beautifully placed," he told the Emmerdale star, "and you had everything right tonight." And Jason Gardiner was also impressed. "It's called Dancing On Ice and that's exactly what you did tonight," he said, "absolutely incredible." However Gardiner wasn't so keen on Gary Lucy. "You are like skating valium to me," he complained. "You're a good looking boy but you are so boring." Nonetheless the other judges approved of his routine and he scored enough points - 24.5 - to finish in second place. The other two celebrities - Danniella and Kieron - both tied on 23 points apiece. Danniella once again found herself finishing in last place after having scored top marks on last Sunday's show. "Your presentation as ever was super in places," Nicky Slater told her, "but your skating skills are tentative compared to others." Kieron, meanwhile, won praise from Karen Barber for his efforts. "There were things you were doing in that routine you've never done before," she said. "You have grown in strength and confidence, for me it was one of your best performances."

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.