Dancing on Ice: First star voted off after tense skate-off

The first Dancing On Ice elimination of 2022 unfortunately saw rugby ace Ben Foden voted off the show on Sunday night (23rd January) following a tense skate off alongside presenter Ria Hedben.

Ben, who was partnered with Robin Johnstone, finished bottom of the leader board on the show, only scoring 23 points out of 40 for his performance to Ricky Martin classic ‘Livin’ Da Vida Loca’.

Bowing out of the competition, Ben said: "I thought there would be someone on the show that couldn't skate. Turns out it was me."

He was also full of praise for his pro partner, adding: "I really have enjoyed it, this woman is incredible and it's the people who make this experience."

Explaining his reasons to sticking with Ria, judge Ashley Banjo said: "Well done to both of you, skate offs are never easy but I picked this person for incorporating more elements into the skate." However, fans were torn as the judges chose to save Ria over Ben, who found herself in the skate off in Week One.

One viewer tweeted: ‘Ben skated alone and did lifts, Ria got dragged around like a Henry Hoover and got through #DancingOnIce.’

Another commented: ‘People complaining Ben skated more on his own than Ria. It’s about quality over quantity with solo skating the solo skating Ben did was subpar. Ria shows far more potential to improve than Ben. #DancingOnIce #DOI.'

One more said: ‘#Robbed !!! @ben_foden had so much potential and deserved more, he was not the worst act by far! #DancingOnIce.'

Dancing On Ice will continue on Sunday 30th January on ITV where two more celebs will find themselves in the dreaded skate off.

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• Dancing On Ice