Vanessa Bauer speaks out after Dancing On Ice final 'didn't go to plan'

Vanessa and Joey finished in second place

Author: Alex RossPublished 13th Mar 2023
Last updated 13th Mar 2023

The Dancing On Ice final took place on Sunday 12th March, with former gymnast Nile Wilson and his professional partner Olivia Smart being crowned the 2023 winners, following nine amazing weeks of competition.

Nile was up against Joey Essex and The Vivienne in the final, with both Nile and Joey performing Torvill and Dean's iconic Bolero routine in a last ditch attempt to win over the public.

Check out the Dancing On Ice results below:

WINNER: Nile Wilson and Olivia Smart


SECOND PLACE: Joey Essex and Vanessa Bauer


THIRD PLACE: The Vivienne and Colin Grafton


But during Joey's performance, viewers noticed his partner Vanessa Bauer shouting instructions at him throughout, with the professional seeming pretty disappointed with the pair's performance at the end.

Now, after finishing in second place behind Nile and Olivia, Vanessa has spoken out about the final, admitting their final performance didn't quite go to plan.

Taking to her Instagram story, Vanessa wrote: 'We made it all the way to the Bolero!!! Thanks to your support we couldn't be more grateful.

'It was our most skilful skate to date and we were over the moon to perform it. Unfortunately, it didn't quite go as planned but we got through it!!! @joeyessex smashed the whole series, words can't explain how proud I am of him. He literally couldn't have put in more work and passion into this show. I'm so happy this series happened and can't wait to share out dress rehearsal Bolero.' (sic)

After describing his time on Dancing On Ice as “the best experience I’ve ever had in my life”, Joey told hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: "I’m so happy for Nile and Olivia. I missed a few steps but literally, the best time of my life, thank you, everyone."

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.




Rumours have been rife over the last few months that Joey and Vanessa had struck up a relationship during the show, with Joey seemingly trying to plant a kiss on Vanessa during a live show last month.

Staying coy about the rumours during an appearance on Good Morning Britain at the end of January, the 32-year-old said: "I'm open, I'll answer, the truth is obviously... I'm single, Vanessa is single, you know. We go to the ice every day, it's cold, got to keep each other warm... do you know what I mean? So that's it really... yeah, it's all good."

Host Susanna Reid was quick to probe further, asking: "Hold on, it sounds like you're not single and she's not single? It sounds like you're both together?"

Blushing as he answered, Joey went on to say: "No comment, can't confirm but we are both single, right now, we're taking it slowly, it's all good."

Not leaving it there, Susanna then cheekily said: "Well congratulations, that's lovely!", to which Joey replied: "I am not confirming nothing!"

The pair are still yet to confirm if they are dating.

Now read:

Dancing On Ice 2023: Winner revealed

Everything you need to know about Dancing On Ice 2023

Dancing On Ice stars who found love on the ice rink

How to listen to Greatest Hits Radio:

Listen to Greatest Hits Radio on the free Rayo app, online or on your DAB digital radio. You can also listen on your smart speaker by saying “Play Greatest Hits Radio”.