'He's a little daredevil!': Diversity's Perri Kiely comes top on Splash! leaderboard with fearless backwards somersault
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Diversity's Perri Kiely, 18, blew judges away with his dive on Splash!, scoring the highest score of the first episode of the competition.
Described by the show's coach Tom Daley as ' a little daredevil', Perri performed a backwards somersault from the highest, 10 metre diving board on Saturday.
With his co-dancers from Diversity standing in their seats, the star pulled off an exceptional performance which won high praise and a score of 25 out of 30 from the judges.
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Making a splash: Diversity's Perri Kiely wowed judges on celebrity diving contest Splash! with his backwards somersault
But Judge Leon Taylor, a former professional diver said there will be more to come from Perri.
He said: 'He's living up to our expectations. I've seen his tricks and potential. But actually I'm a little disappointed. It was a stunt dive, a fall. I know there's more.'
Fellow judges Jo Brand described the dive as 'brilliant', while Andy Banks said: 'At the end of the day, he's on the top board - there's still time. That entry I'm going to call sick.'
Athletic: Perri leans backwards to perform a somersault, earning him top place on the Splash! leaderboard
He's flying: Perri cut a streamlined figure as he elegantly performed his somersault
Fearless: Perri seemed just as at ease as a diver as a dancer
Splash! Perri maintained his position as he dived into the pool
Star quality: Perri put his dancing background from Diversity to good use as he gave a confident performance
Perri earned himself a place in the show's semi-final, where he will be joined by Michaela Strachan, 47.
Michaela was first to compete on the show, wearing an indigo and violet cross-patterned swimming costume.
She admitted that she had a fear of heights and that while she has dived with sharks and whales she had never dived on a board.
She performed an elegant and competent forward dive with tuck, pulling her body into a tight ball, receiving a score of 21.
Supportive: Perri's fellow dancers from Diversity watch nervously from the audience
Daring: Perri was praised by the show's coach Tom Daley for his daredevil spirit
Overjoyed: Perri seemed pleased with her performance as he chats to Vernon Kay,Gabby Logan and Tom Daley
Judge Andy said: ‘It’s never easy being first. You had a really strong take off but came out of that position too early. Great effort.’
Jo Brand also had positive feedback, saying: ‘It was a lively Leprechaun's leap into a lake of loveliness. I’ve loved you on all your animal shows.’
But Leon Taylor predicted greater things from Michaela, saying: ‘It was unfortunately short. I think there’s more.’
Tension: Perri Kiely, Gemma Merna and Ricky Groves watch the diving action
Nerves: All five contestants have been encouraged to push the limits of what they could achieve on the diving show
Pushing their limits: The episode's five contestants - Michaela Strachan, Ricky Groves, Gemma Merna, Perri Kiely and Gemma Collins each performed a challenging dive
High achiever: Michaela Strachan did well in the competition, with a score of 21
Elegant: TV presenter Michaela executed a respectable dive on her first appearance on the show
Next up was former EastEnders actor Ricky Groves,45, who was feeling confident about the task, performing a forward dive with a tuck at five metres, also scoring 21.
With a big smile on his face and wearing tropical shorts, he dived competently, ‘springing over an imaginary wall’.
Jo Brand said: ‘I’m pretty pleased… you’re unscathed. It worked pretty well with a bit of a splash. ‘ She also joked ‘not as big as one I would make.’
Put to the test: The novice divers were put through their paces by Olympian Tom Daley
Confident: Ricky Groves was one of the most assured contestants on the show
Making waves: Ricky Groves dives into the pool on Splash!
Fans: Ricky Groves gets high-fives from the audience as he competes on the show
Andy described the performance as 'great... you leaned too far on the take off but it was controlled.'
However Leon said he was 'a little disappointed on the inward dive' while he praised the entry as 'bang on'.
Hollyoaks star Gemma Merna, 29, was next up, and opted for the lowest diving board, performing a forward pike.
Joy: Gemma Merna said she was 'made up' after completing her simple but nerve-wracking dive
Graceful: Gemma Merna takes the plunge in the diving contest
Brave: The Hollyoaks star overcame a fear of water to take part in the contest
Wearing a sparkling costume, she performed her simple dive gracefully, scoring 18.5.
Afterwards she tearfully declared she was 'made up', saying 'I've done everything I set out to do', explaining that she has vertigo.
So received praise from the judges, who encouraged her to push herself further.
Bravado: Gemma Collins strikes a pose in a bejewelled swimsuit
Leon said: 'I'm so frustrated - it was so good! The tension was great, the entry was brilliant. It was technically good enough for more difficult dives.'
He added: 'It was such a shame. You have all the attributes of a great diver. But difficulty counts so the marks will be lower.'
While Andy also said the dive was 'easy', Jo praised Gemma's bravado, saying: 'It was really brave and graceful.'
Gemma Collins, 32, was last up, diving a forwards pike from the three metre board, scoring 18.5.
Nervous: Gemma Collins raises her eyes to heaven as she gets ready to dive
Accomplished: Despite being one of the most nervous contestants on the show, Gemma conquered her fears
Painful: Gemma showed host Gabby Logan the chest bruises she has sustained in training
Clearly emotional, she showed her bruised chest - injuries sustained from diving practice during the previous 24 hours.
She received praise for her bravery, with judge Andy joking: ‘Where’s the Essex girl having it large? It was great. Your control was fantastic. Your tension was good. You could go higher - you've come a long way.'
Gemma went on to compete against Michaela Strachan in the Splash Off, with a chance of competing in the show's semi-final alongside Perri Kiely.
Splash off: Michaela Strachan and Gemma Collins complete for the remaining place in the semi-final
The two competitors received the highest number of public votes and while both were praised for their efforts, Michaela was put through to the semi-final by the judges.
The wildlife TV presenter upped her game by moving up from the five metre board to the seven metre, while Gemma stuck with the three metre dive.
Gemma was sent home, joking that it was 'the best news I've had all day', explaining that she didn't have to get back into the water.
Upping her game: Michaela won a place in the semi-final after she moved up to a higher diving board for the Splash Off against Gemma Collins
Aquatic feats: A troupe of syncronised swimmers also performed on the show
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2533895/Diversitys-Perri-Kiely-Splash-leaderboard-fearless-backwards-somersault.html#ixzz2pblePdi2
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