Dancing On Ice 2020: Winner revealed
It was close!
The 2020 series of Dancing On Ice, hosted by presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, has certainly been a dramatic one. Among some amazing performances from this year's celebs, we've had tears, tantrums, and even an engagement!
After 10 weeks of amazing routines, the 2020 final took place tonight (Sunday 8th March), with Diversity star Perri Kiely, actor Joe Swash, and Paralympian Libby Clegg all battling it out for the 2020 ice trophy.
It was an incredible final that kicked off with the celebrities and the professionals taking to the ice to perform a superb opening number to Take That's 'These Days'.
Joe Swash has had an incredible journey. starting his Dancing On Ice experience at the bottom half of the leaderboard in week one, and his hard work was rewarded with a perfect score for his silent movie inspired comedic skate. For his next skate Joe chose to skate to Niall Horan's 'Nice To Meet Ya' - turning in another 40 out of 40. Joe thanked everyone saying, "I never thought I'd get to a final, never mind everything I've had to do. I'm so proud of myself and so glad my boys are here to see it".
Perri then took to the ice to take part in a skate/dance battle, managing to get breakdancing moves into his routine and LANDING a backflip - something no Dancing On Ice contestant has ever done. For their second skate Perri and Vanessa turned up the heat in their routine as they spun around on the ice to Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello's 'Señorita', making the lifts look effortless. Another 40!
Libby opted for a Great Britain Olympic/Paralympic inspired routine that saw her bring home the gold (well a 40 out of 40 perfect score). For her second skate Libby was all smiles as she brought the fun by choosing to recreate her energetic Jungle Book themed routine, improving on the routine with added lifts to take another perfect score.
After a medley by previously eliminated contestants, including a headbanger from semi-finalists Ben Hanlin and Carlotta Edwards, it was time to find out who would skate the Boléro...
Phil and Holly announced that Perri and Joe had made it to the final skate and Libby had finished in third.
Joe received high praise from the judges, with Ashley Banjo commenting on Joe's incredible Dancing On Ice journey, however it was Perri's skate that Christopher Dean called "the best Boléro we have ever seen!"
Before the winner was announced, we were treated to an incredible one camera shot skate by Torvill and Dean (with the camera person following the action on skates). Absolutely sensational!
Then it was time for the announcement! Who was the winner of Dancing On Ice 2020? Well it was incredibly close but the winner was... JOE SWASH!
WINNER: Joe Swash and Alex Murphy
Runner-up: Perri Kiely and Vanessa Bauer
Third place: Libby Clegg and Mark Hanretty
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 2020 series of Dancing On Ice has certainly been one to remember! Not only did Michael Barrymore have to pull out of the show after breaking his wrist, American model Caprice caused some drama when she 'parted ways' with her professional skater Hamish Gaman, before later quitting the show.
As well as this, former football Kevin Kilbane and his professional partner Brianne Delcourt formed a very romantic relationship, with Kevin going on to propose to Brianne just hours after he was eliminated from the show in week five.
After the likes of Love Island's Maura Higgins, Steps singer Ian 'H' Watkins, and Coronation Street actress Lisa George were all voted out of the competition, the semi-final become one of the most emotional in the show's history.
Diversity dancer Perri Kiely broke down in tears after scoring the first perfect 40/40 with his routine to 'The Baclony Scene' from Romeo and Juliet, which then made his BFF Ashley Banjo also tear up.
Joe Swash also got emotional when performing to his late father's funeral song, admitting he wanted to make 'good memories' for his mum.
See all of the Dancing On Ice eliminations below:
Week 1: No elimation
Week 2: Trisha Goddard
Week 3: Lucrezia Millarini
Week 4: Radzi Chinyanganya
Week 5: Kevin Kilbane
Week 6: Ian 'H' Watkins
Week 7: Maura Higgins
Week 8: Lisa George
Week 9: Ben Hamlin
Dancing On Ice is expected to return to ITV in early 2021.