Angela Rippon and Nadia Sawalha's skating dreams are over before they've begun as they're voted off Dancing On Ice

By EMILY SHERIDAN

Scraped through: Laura Hamilton and Colin Ratushniak (centre) celebrate after making it through the official Dancing On Ice competition


Angela Rippon and Nadia Sawalha became the first celebrities to be voted off Dancing On Ice as the new series kicked off last night.

The former newsreader, 66, and ex-EastEnders actress, 46, received the lowest amount of public votes after taking part in a triple skate-off.

Children's TV presenter Laura Hamilton, who was top of the leader board, won a place in the official competition after going up against Rippon and Sawalha.


We're through: Hamilton and Ratushniak were shocked to find out they had survived to the competition


After learning of her fate, Rippon said: 'I am gutted. I've had a wonderful time. It's been tremendous learning to skate.'

Sawalha added: 'I'm gonna miss everyone. (My partner) Mark Hanratty is the most beautiful skater and nobody saw how beautiful he is. Maybe next year.'

The episode saw only eight of the 16 celebrities competing for their place in the competition, with the remaining eight expected to perform next week, with a further two eliminations.


First to perform: Former Coronation Street actor Steven Arnold and his partner Nina Ulanova performed a comedic routine to Madness' House Of Fun


Because the official competition doesn't start for another two weeks, the judges scores didn't affect the outcome tonight.

This year, the judging panel has shrunk from last year's five to just three - comprising of head judge former Olympic champion Robin Cousins, choreographer Jason Gardiner and ex-Spice Girl Emma Bunton.

Former judge, Ice skater Nicky Slater revealed in November he had been axed from Dancing On Ice after five years, while Karen Barber is now head coach.


Top of the leader board: Hamilton and Ratushniak scored an impressive 16


Easy does it: War hero Johnson Beharry VC skates backward with partner Jodeyne Higgins to Wishing On A Star


Surprising her critics: The former Atomic Kitten singer put on a much better performance than people had anticipated



• Elen Rivas, Denise Welch, Chloe Madeley, Jennifer Metcalfe, Dominic Cook, Craig McLachlan, Dave Vitty and Sam Attwater will perform their first routines on next week's episode on Sunday 16th January on ITV1 at 6:35pm.


Dancing on Ice 2011 with Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean Opening



Dancing on VANILLA Ice -Dancing on Ice



source: dailymail