Dancing on Ice fans were left sharing the same complaint about the competition as it reached its end. Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were back rinkside on Sunday night (March 12) as they prepared to crown the ITV skating competition's 2023 winners.
But just moments into the grand final, viewers were left annoyed by the hosts' announcement. Nile Wilson, Joey Essex, and The Vivienne all went head-to-head in a bid to lift the Dancing on Ice trophy and follow in the winning footsteps of 2022 winner Regan Gascoigne and 2021 champ Sonny Jay.
The three finalists all skated an original, 'showcase' routine which had been choreographed by show judges and skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean and performed in a skate battle to whittle the competition down from three to two remaining contestants.
After all the finalists had performed their first dance, they were neck and neck on the leaderboard – having all secured perfect 40s. But it was The Vivienne who was voted off before getting the chance to perform their version of Torvill and Dean's iconic Bolero with professional partner Colin Grafton.
It was left to retired Olympic gymnast Nile and his partner Olivia Smart and reality star Joey and his partner Vanessa Bauer to perform their own reimagining of the Olympic-winning routine in a bid to be crowning the Dancing on Ice 2023 champion.
And it was Nile and Olivia Smart who emerged victorious following the dazzling final, with Phillip revealing more than a million votes had been cast. After being announced as the winner, 27-year-old Nile said: "If Dancing On Ice has anything to say of entertainment, we’ve got 11 human beings all different shapes and sizes stood on this stage tonight with an allocated time to get good at something and we proved that we can do that.
"So what an inspirational show. If you put your mind to something and you work hard you can achieve anything you want." He also thanked everyone who voted for them and said he will be spending the night celebrating with the people who he "loves the most".
Former The Only Way is Essex star Joey, 32, congratulated the couple following their win, saying: "I’m so happy for Nile and Olivia. I missed a few steps but literally, the best time of my life, thank you, everyone."
However, just minutes into the final, Dancing on Ice fans fumed over the decision to open the voting lines BEFORE any of the couples had stepped foot on the ice - which is common practice over the years for the ITV show. @Ralph_Hapschatt tweeted: "The vote is open before they even skate. So why bother skating? #DancingOnIce."
@Caz1957 wrote: "Just about to watch #DancingOnIce advert free, but what is the point actually. The vote opens and people could use up their votes on their favourites, before anyone has even stepped on the ice! So even if they have a nightmare skate they could win the vote as it’s public only."
@keynshamkid complained: "@dancingonice #DancingOnIce what is the point of anyone skating if we can vote before they skate? Just goes to show it’s a popularity contest not a skating contest." @popboy84 added: "Bit early to open the vote lines, least on Strictly come dancing final they all dance once before voting open #DancingOnIce."
READ NEXT:
- ITV Dancing On Ice final in chaos as Phil and Holly forced to halt the show as other viewers baffled by filming 'blunder'
- Dancing On Ice fans 'obsessed' as Holly Willoughby wears unexpected plunging ice dress for the final
- Gemma Atkinson and daughter Mia cheer on Gorka Marquez on stage in Manchester after almost missing show
- Kym Marsh told 'you look like sisters' with lookalike daughter as fans agree they're 'two of the most beautiful women in the UK'
