Ashley Banjo explains emotional reaction to Perri Kiely's Dancing On Ice routine
The pair are in Diversity together
ICYMI, Diversity star Perri Kiely made it into the Dancing On Ice final this weekend, following THAT super emotional routine with his professional partner Vanessa Bauer during last weekend's semi-final.
Whilst Perri shed a few tears after scoring the perfect 40/40, he wasn't the only one to get emotional, with his Diversity BFF and Dancing On Ice judge Ashley Banjo also breaking down in tears.
Now, just days ahead of the big final, Ashley has revealed the reason why he got so emotional, telling Digital Spy, "It got me because the song he chose, everything about it was so unselfish. There's no ego... He chose a song that represented him, his life and his journey has been us and we're all like that.
"We're all sort of in this whole journey together. We've been going now, Diversity, for 11 years soon in the public eye. It's a long time, and he's grown up in that time.
"I think that what he did and how he turned it into that skate , doing that in front of me and then in the audience behind him, seeing the rest of Diversity watch on. I was sitting on the panel thinking to myself, I was 19 when this all started. I was like, 'Oh my god'.
"It just felt like a moment that I'll never forget, both in our careers and also just personally. It was a real moment, there."
Perri is up against Paralympic star Libby Clegg and I'm A Celebrity's Joe Swash in Sunday night's final, but it sounds like poor old Joe's preparation hasn't been smooth.
The former EastEnders actor was rushed to hospital earlier this week after his partner Alex Murphy accidentally kicked him in the ear during rehearsals.
Wearing a huge bandage across his head whilst in rehearsals, Joe told fans, "I thought we'd get the elephant out of the room and talk about this stupid, ridiculous bandage on my head. Basically what happened was me and Al were doing disco dance..."
Before Alex interrupted saying, "And my skate kicked him in the ear."
Joe then added, "And the skate kicked me in the ear, which give me cauliflower ear, which got infected. Which meant last night I had to get rushed to hospital and have an operation on it. Best thing is the doctor told me I've gotta keep this on my head until Sunday. So all week we're doing the Bolero, looking like this."
Check out all of the past Dancing On Ice winners below:
Gaynor Faye - 2006
Emmerdale actress Gaynor Faye won the first ever series of Dancing On Ice alongside her professional ice skating partner Daniel Whiston, under the watchful eye of judges Robin Cousins, Karen Barber, Nicky Slater, Jason Gardiner and Karen Kresge.
Kyran Bracken - 2007
Rugby player Kyran Bracken won the show - and the hearts of viewers - in the second series. Beating Clare Buckfield in the final showdown, Kyran won with his professional partner Melanie Lambert.
Suzanne Shaw - 2008
Hear'Say singer Suzanne Shaw won the 2008 series with professional ice skater Matt Evers. Both of their final performances scored a perfect 30/30, which was the first time that had happened on the show, beating runner-up Chris Fountain.
Ray Quinn - 2009 & 2014
X Factor star-turned-Broadway star Ray Quinn won the show in 2009 alongside his professional partner Maria Filippov. The couple beat journalist Donal MacIntyre and his partner Florentine Houdinière with their final performance. He also won the returners' series in 2014.
Hayley Tamaddon - 2010
Corrie and** Emmerdale actress Hayley won with second-time winner Daniel Whiston, beating Hollyoaks star Gary Lucy to the top spot. She also made it to the final of the returners' show in 2014, finishing second to Ray Quinn.
Sam Attwater - 2011
EastEnders actor Sam Attwater won the coveted prize of first place in 2011 wth his partner Brianne Delcourt, beating TV presenter Laura Hamilton. The pair also returned for the 2014 series, but finished fourth.
Matthew Wolfenden - 2012
Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden won the 2012 series with his professional ice skating partner Nina Ulanova, beating fellow soap star Jorgie Porter to the top. This was also the year that Louie Spence joined the judging panel, if you remember...
Beth Tweddle - 2013
Olympic champion gymnast Beth Tweddle won the 2013 series alongside her partner Daniel Whiston in his THIRD win on the show. She beat EastEnders actor Matt Lapinskas and his partner Brianne Delcourt, and came third in the 2014 returners' series with Łukasz Różycki.
Jake Quickenden - 2018
Former The X Factor star Jake Quickenden was the clear winner for the revived series of Dancing On Ice in 2018, winning the show with his partner Vanessa Bauer.
James Jordan - 2019
Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan swapped the ballroom for the ice in 2019, and he showed off his amazing moves alongside skating partner Alexandra Schauman.
James beat Love Island star Wes Nelson and former X Factor contestant Saara Aalto in the final.
Joe Swash - 2020
Perhaps the most surprising result in Dancing On Ice history! Joe Swash and his pro partner Alex Murphy were crowned the 2020 winners beating Diversity star Perri Kiely in the final.
Sonny Jay - 2021
After the most chaotic series in Dancing On Ice history, which saw five celebs have to quit the show, Sonny Jay was crowned the winner ahead of Colin Jackson and Corrie actress Faye Brookes.
Regan Gascoigne - 2022
Paul Gascoigne's son Regan Gascoigne was crowned the 2022 winner of Dancing On Ice, in perhaps the most competitive final in history! Regan and his pro partner Karina Manta were up against Brendan Cole and Kimberley Wyatt in the final.
Nile Wilson - 2023
After a tense final alongside Joey Essex and The Vivienne in March 2023, gymnast Nile Wilson was crowned the 2023 winner with his professional partner Olivia Smart.
Ryan Thomas - 2024
Former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas and his partner Amani Fancy were crowned the winners of series 16 during the final on Sunday 10th March 2024. Ryan received the most public votes during a tense final with Miles Nazaire and Vanessa Bauer and Adele Roberts and Mark Hanretty.
The Dancing On Ice final takes place on Sunday 8th March at 6pm on ITV.