It was possibly one of the closest Dancing On Ice finals there has been but there had to be one winner.
Regan Gascoigne was crowned the champion of the 2022 edition of the ITV skating competition on Sunday night after fighting off competition from Brendan Cole and Kimberly Wyatt.
The singer and dancer, 26, and his professional partner Karina Manta, saw off the fierce competition, which saw all three finalists bag the perfect scores for their first two routines, during the final which was delayed by a week after the show was taken off air for rugby coverage.
Regan, who is son of former England footballer Paul and half-sister of model and TV personality Biance, was emotional for the entire night and struggled to hold back his tears as he lifted the trophy, adding: "I am so overwhelmed, I never thought it was possible."
Earlier, after they performed a Bolero routine for their final skate, which was inspired by judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean’s 1984 Winter Olympics skating performance, Regan said: “It’s hard to keep it together, it was very special."
As host Holly Willoughby told him it was OK to let his emotions out, he added: "I genuinely did not think I would get the chance to do it."
However, some Dancing On Ice viewers felt like Kimberly was 'robbed' as she placed third in the competition after her first two, perfectly scored, skates meaning she missed out on the chance to perform the Bolero.
@lingua_kimmy tweeted: "Gutted for Kimberly. She was the most consistent the entire season and in my opinion she’s been robbed. Such a beautiful performer #DancingonIce."
"Absolutely gutted she was my winner," @lisa.mcgee87 said.
@laura_2010_ commented: "I am truly gutted for her as she was the best! Mark also deserves a win, he is always so good!"
"Angry and disgusted Kimberly got 3rd when she should have won," @ThomDWTS wrote.
Some, however, argued that Kimberly didn't spend as much time skating solo as her fellow finalists during their last skate. But there was another issue Dancing On Ice viewers spotted and that's a theme with the winners.
Many pointed out that the last five winners, or four since it made its grand return to screens in 2018 after a four-year break, have all been male. Capital FM's Sonny Jay lifted the trophy last year with Joe Swash, James Jordan, Jake Quickenden and Ray Quinn - who won for a second time in the 'All Stars' edition of the show - in the years previous. The last female winner was in 2013 when Olympian Beth Tweddle and skating partner Daniel Whiston won the skating competition.
@sheila_l_macgregor commented: "Totally predictable outcome, there has been only men in the final two for years, is it because mostly women vote? Kimberly so deserved to be in the final two. Won’t be watching anymore
"Here's a suggestion next year only have male celebrities as it seems it's impossible for a female to win. Well done to Regan but i still think Kimberly deserved to be one of the final two. This year was a hard one as I also thought Brendan was brilliant #DancingOnIce," @yvylew wrote.
@JamesRoberts330 complained: "Yawn! Yet again another male celebrity wins the #DancingOnIce #DancingOnIceFinal what will it take for a female to win the show again?! #KimberlyWyatt was PERFECT and well deserved to lift the trophy but nope went to the unknown guy for the second year running! #BoreOff."
"Just have 12 male celebrities on the show next year. I think it’s clear that having women is pointless. #DancingOnIce," @MrsAnaRGrey_ fumed.
@ThomDWTS argued: "Anyways Kimberly was ROBBED best female skater this show ever had and the best contestant since the show has rebooted. Y'all just hate seeing women succeed not to mention an American one #DancingOnIce #DOI."
"I wonder what male celebrity will win next year? Can’t wait! #DancingOnIce," @DarkSlayerMsF shared.
@VampElenaG92 added: "Why do women even bother competing for the trophy? Getting beyond a joke now. #DancingOnIce."
