Dancing On Ice ended with a surprise as reality TV star Ekin-Su Culculoglu was forced to compete in the dreaded skate-off.
The Love Island star wowed the judges and audiences with her seductive performance to Britney Spears‘ Toxic, which she shared with American professional skater Brendyn Hatfield.
Their act received a score of 21.5 from judges Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Christopher Dean, and Jayne Torvill.
However, it was insufficient to captivate the majority of viewers, as Ekin-Su, 28, garnered the fewest votes and so finished in the bottom two.
Reacting to the news, Ekin-Su seemed obviously stunned and told broadcasters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: ‘I’m just heartbroken but it’s fine. Keep going.
Brendyn, 36, teased what to expect next week when they perform in the skate-off, adding: ‘Just confidence, we can add a little bit more to our skate-off and just make it the strongest version we can.’
Ekin-Su fought back tears and said: ‘I’ve been really ill as well and I know it’s not an excuse but…’
She was supported by Holly who reminded her: ‘You’re a strong girl.’
Ekin-Su and Brendyn had delivered a terrific performance, skating across the ice to one of Britney’s best hits.
Brendyn led the Turkish actress onto the scene, flanked by a group of male dancers. She then produced a memorable moment, slithering across the ice repeating the precise action she used on the Love Island terrace during the summer series to sneak a cheeky kiss from fellow islander Jay Younger.
Sharing her comments on the routine, Jayne said: ‘It was a very sensual performance and you looked very comfortable out there,’ but added that she ‘wants more skating’.
Ashley Banjo agreed and offered some advice, saying: That performance was like fire, that’s what I expect from you.
‘Now I want to see what you can do without holding onto Brendyn.’
Joey Essex from Towie, Patsy Palmer from EastEnders, Michelle Heaton from Liberty X, and Siva Kaneswaran from The Wanted were among the celebrities who skated in the first week of the tournament.
The remainder of the stars will take to the ice in the second episode, including veteran footballer John Fashanu, Coronation Street actress Mollie Gallagher, and comedian Darren Harriott.
The line-up is completed by drag queen The Vivienne, who won the inaugural series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, and soap star and West End musicals performer Carley Stenson.
In the skate-off, whoever receives the fewest votes from the public and the leaderboard will meet Ekin-Su.
Dancing On Ice returns to ITV1 next Sunday at 6:30pm.
