Shock exit! Shayne Ward is booted off Dancing On Ice although it's Matt Lapinskas who takes a tumble in the skate-off
PUBLISHED: 20:59, 3 February 2013 | UPDATED: 01:25, 4 February 2013
After battling it out in the skate-off against Matt Lapinskas, Shayne Ward became the latest contestant to be booted off of Dancing On Ice on Sunday night.
Despite the fact that former favourite Matt fell over during his skate-off, three of the four judges chose to save him over former X Factor winner Shayne.
The pressure was on this week as contestants had to perform a 30 second solo routine, but Shane clearly failed to impress the voting public, despite picking up his best score yet from the judges.
Booted off: Shayne Ward is the latest contestant to leave Dancing On Ice after losing the skate off to Matt Lapinskas
Clearly emotional, he told host Philip Schofield: 'Matt was always going to come out on top. Thank you guys - you're such a great bunch.'
The judges decided to save Matt despite the fact that he fell on the ice during his save me skate, claiming that he was the better skater overall.
'This is the skate-off that should never have been,' said Karen Barber. 'Neither of you should be here but I'm going to save Matt.'
Lost out: Shayne shocked the judges and contestants by being in the bottom two with Matt
Gracious in defeat: Shayne took the result magnanimously, thanking everyone for their support
Emotions running high: Matt shed a tear after falling over during the skate-off, but was still saved by the judges
Taking a tumble: Matt falls over during the skate-off but is still saved by the judges
Even Phil's shocked: The presenter took to Twitter to lament the news
'Shayne you skated the best you've ever skated, but I'm also going to save Matt.' said fellow judge Ashley Roberts.
Jason Gardiner was clearly unimpressed with the fact that Matt fell during his routine and opted to save Shayne instead.
'In my opinion the save me skate should be skated perfectly - which is why I'm saving Shayne,' he said.
After an agonising wait, head judge Robin Cousins also decided to save Matt, putting him through to next week.
Devastated: Matt gets upset after his fall, worried that he's jeopardised his position in the competition
Surprise skate-off: Neither Matt or Shayne had expected to be in the bottom two after skating well earlier in the evening
Sad to see him go: All of the judges admitted that neither contestant should have been in the bottom two this week
Hug goodbye: Matt is relieved to be saved and consoles friend Shayne
Matt, who has been one of the strongest skaters throughout the competition, was visibly upset about being in the bottom two.
After his tumble in the skate-off he broke down in tears admitting that he felt like he had let everyone down.
Keith Chegwin, who has been in the skate-off twice, was the first to be put through to next week, followed by leader Beth Tweddle, who bagged the top score.
'Best skate yet': Shayne impressed in his skate-off but not enough to save him
Making mistakes: Matt nerves got the better of him during his save me performance
Gareth Thomas was the third person to be saved after his impressive performance, followed by funnyman Joe Pasquale who had been join bottom of the leaderboard.
The last safe contestant was Samia Ghadie, who was also bottom of the board, meaning that Matt and Shayne had received the fewest public votes.
In a complete turnaround in positions on the leaderboard, Olympian Beth bagged the top spot after being awarded the best score of the series.
Hot pink: Shayne Ward and partner Maria gave a great performance dressed in bright pink
Delighted: The former X Factor star was confident ahead of the solo part of the routine
Strong contender: The singer proved that he is in it for the long haul as he improves every week
Former frontrunner Matt was second on the leaderboard, while Samia got a below par score of 18 after struggling to perform without partner Sylvain Longchambon.
'The team fell apart when Sylvain left your side,' admitted head judge Robin Cousins.
'It was tragic, darling,' said an unimpressed Jason Gardiner.
'That whole solo section fell apart for me. We can see that you are very much reliant on Sylvain. This shows that you're not up to par as a solo skater,' he added.
On top: Matt Lapinskas mixed it up this week as he performed to classical music for the first time
High drama: Matt and Brianne were inspired by Swan Lake for their routine, which impressed the judges
Going Gothic: Matt wowed the crowd and panel with his dramatic routine and make-up
His best score: Matt bagged a score of 28, his best so far
Funnyman Keith Chegwin performed second but was unable to take part in the dress rehearsal thanks to lung problems.
Pushing through, the star put his all into his performance, skating with his partner Olga to Hernando's Hideaway by The Johnston Brothers.
Shayne was the next contestant to take to the ice with partner Maria, wearing a tight pink top.
The former X Factor winner picked up a good score of 25, seeming over the moon by his performance on the ice, not knowing what was to come in the results show.
On top: Beth Tweddle bagged the top score of the series after picking up a 30 for her routine on Sunday night's Dancing On Ice
Drama: Beth heats up the ice after attending dramas classes in the week
Getting intimate: Beth and partner Daniel gets hands on during their winning routine
Matt was the next skater with partner Brianne, mixing it up this week by performing to classical music for the first time.
Clearly taking inspiration from Swan Lake, Matt wore a feathered jacket and looked almost Gothic in dark make-up.
The judges loved the dramatic performance which incorporated ballet moves, giving him a total of 28, the second highest score of the series.
Ashley, who gave him a score of 7 admitted that they had seen a different side of Matt: 'You gave me goosebumps,' she said.
Great together: The judges were impressed with their routine together but said that it 'fell apart' when Samia was on his own
Not impressed: Samia failed to impress the judges with her solos routine, getting a below par 18
Bottom of the board: Samia is now at the bottom of the leaderboard after a disappointing week
Strange ensemble: Samia opts for a floral bra top and purple braces for her skate
'You didn't even know you had this side to show us but I'm so glad you did,' said Karen.
'I was dark, it was sinister, it was great to watch. I applaud you for trying something different,' said a usually critic Jason.
Boxer Luke Campbell and Jenna Smith were up next, trying to put all of their previous criticism behind them.
Best yet: The judges admitted that Keith was steadily improving and begged viewers to vote to keep him in
'Beautiful': Luke Campbell got his best score yet from the judges as he skated to One Direction's Little Things
First slow song: Luke performs to a slow song for the first time, impressing the judges
Dancing to One Direction's Little Things, his first skate to a slow song, Luke wore a soft pink shirt and black tie.
Beating last week's score, the Olympian bagged a 23, building on the last five weeks.
'For the first time you performed genuinely - and you looked beautiful with your partner,' admitted Jason.
'For me, the perfect leveller,' said Robin.
Disappointed: Christine chats to Samia whop admitted to feeling a little upset by her routine
Great performance: Gareth Thomas got great comments after his smooth routine
Former rugby player Gareth Thomas looked dapper as he danced to Michael Bublé with his partner Robin Johnstone.
Gareth secured his number three spot on the leaderboard with performance, picking up a score of 27.5, just half a point behind Matt.
'That oozed loads of sex appeal,' said an impressed Jason. 'You captured the essence of that track completely.'
Olympian Beth was up next, dancing to Emeli Sande's poignant song Clown with partner Daniel Whiston, wearing a navy dress.
Bright: Joe Pasquale and his partner put on a comedic performance as the last to skate
What a laugh: Jason admits that Joe is good comedy value in the competition
After putting in all her effort this week and even going to acting class, the star bagged a staggering score of 30, the best of the series so far.
'I just loved watching you,' gushed a clearly impressed Jason. 'You have really blossomed.'
The last top skate was Joe Pasquale, who got the same score as Samia, putting him in joint bottom place.
Dancing to Hippie Hippie Shake, Joe put in an entertaining performance.
'Not enough Hippie and way too much shake,' said Jason. 'You do give us something to laugh at.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2272930/Shayne-Ward-booted-Dancing-On-Ice-bagging-best-score-series.html#ixzz2JtOJUVK8
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