Shayne Ward became the fifth celebrity contestant to be voted off Dancing on Ice yesterday.
The 28-year-old former X Factor winner received the lowest number of votes from the public alongside EastEnders actor Matt Lapinskas. Both performed again for a change to be saved from elimination.
Lapinskas stumbled in the head-to-head performance, however the judges voted to keep him on. Head judge Robin Cousins said the two dances “could not compare”.
Fellow judge Karen Barber expressed her shock at the result of the public vote, describing it as “a skate off that should never have been”.
Both contestants scored well with the judges earlier in the evening and neither were bottom of the score board. Ward scored 23.5 out of 40, while Lapinskas scored 28.
Judge and former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts chose to save Lapinskas, despite telling Ward: “You skated the best you’ve ever skated.”
Earlier in the programme she said she was taken by Ward’s performance in black leather trousers and hot pink t-shirt. “I never thought I'd be turned on by a man in a pink bedazzled shirt but I think that might have happened tonight,” she said.
Ward, who more recently starred in West End musical Rock of Ages, said he was “devastated” that his ice-dancing journey had come to an end.
He thanked his fellow celebrities and ice skaters, saying “you’ve been an amazing bunch”.
Seven contestants remain: Beth Tweddle, Gareth Thomas, Joe Pasquale, Keith Chegwin, Luke Campbell, Samia Ghadie and Matt Lapinskas.
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