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DANCING On Ice star Ben Foden's co-stars are ‘devastated’ at his shock exit as ‘he was the one that held the group together.'

The rugby ace became the first celeb to be voted off the show last night after losing a skate-off with Ria Hebden - as fans branded the shock decision a 'fix.'

Ben was the first celeb to be voted off Dancing on Ice
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Ben was the first celeb to be voted off Dancing on IceCredit: ITV
Ben's Dancing on Ice family is gutted he is out as he 'held the group together'
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Ben's Dancing on Ice family is gutted he is out as he 'held the group together'Credit: ITV

Ben, 36, was voted out by all of the judges after his scores left him at the bottom of the leaderboard after getting 23 out of a possible 40 points for his vibrant Livin' la Vida Loca routine on Dancing on Ice.

A source told The Sun: “There were lots of tears after the show, everyone was shocked Ben was out.

"They were devastated, and Ben was gutted too.

"Ben was the one who held the group together, setting up the group WhatsApp and was always full of bants.

";Especially his cheeky rivalry with Brendan, it had everyone in hysterics.

"He was the life and soul of the party, good at raising morale too if someone had a bad day, he would cheer them up.  They will miss him. “

Ben put on a brave face as he left the show last night.

He said: "I thought there would be someone on the show that couldn't skate. Turns out it was me."

Meanwhile fans branded it a 'fix' that Ben was the first to be eliminated.

Over on Twitter, one viewer said: "Disgraceful choice from the judges tonight. Neither were fantastic but at least Ben skated on his own. Think Chris and Jayne are losing the plot...very unfair.";

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Another scoffed: "Cannot believe Ben was voted off thought he was a lot better in the skating performances than Lorraine’s friend, of course that didn’t play a part in the voting"

Another person raged: "FIX - seems ITV can’t have one of there own employees go out after week 1 ! Ben was much better - he lead & lifted seriously he could have gone far."

And one more said: "Ria can’t skate without holding her partner quite literally clinging to her partner whilst Ben is lifting his partner such a fix."

Meanwhile Regan Gascoigne topped the leaderboard after an emotional tribute from his dad Paul.

Love Island's Liberty Poole also dazzled on the ice during her debut.

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NINTCHDBPICT000707192796-1Credit: ITV
Viewers thought Ben performed a better skate - carrying a lot of the moves on his own
Viewers thought Ben performed a better skate - carrying a lot of the moves on his own
ITV entertainment broadcaster and Loose Women star Ria was saved by all of the judges
ITV entertainment broadcaster and Loose Women star Ria was saved by all of the judges
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