Dancing On Ice 2023 final RECAP — Nile Wilson is crowned champion after beating The Vivienne and Joey Essex
NILE Wilson has been crowned Dancing On Ice 2023 champion after skating the Olympic gold-winning Bolero dance.
Olympic gymnast , 27, and his partner Olivia Smart saw off competition from reality star , who came second, and drag queen, who finished in third place during Sunday's grand finale.
Judges , , Christopher Dean and judged the celebs for the final time, and were joined by hosts and .
After being declared the winner, Wilson 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."
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How to catch up on all of the action
Fans of Dancing on Ice can catch up on the latest series by heading to ITVX.
Here you can watch all of the series' episodes.
It's a series you do not want to miss.
Joey and Vanessa spotted sharing a kiss behind the scenes, source claims
A Dancing on Ice source has claimed the pair were spotted sharing a kiss behind the scenes of the show.
The backstage source told The Sun: “A number of people saw Joey and Vanessa kissing.
“We were all surprised because until now they’ve danced around what’s happening, you know lots of ‘he’s great’, ‘she’s great’, lunches and attending parties, to the point where I think everyone wondered if there was anything other than a flirty friendship there.
“But there was nothing friendly about these kisses, if you get what I mean.
“Good on them!”
Who were the Dancing On Ice judges?
There are four judges on Dancing On Ice.
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean returned for another year as head judges.
The pair won gold at the 1984 Winter Olympic Games where they made history after receiving 12 perfect 6.0 scores watched by 24 million people in the UK.
They were joined by Strictly judge Oti Mabuse and dance troupe leader of Diversity, Ashley Banjo.
What did Nile say after his win?
Nile told viewers at home: "It's meant so much to me. I want to thank everyone who voted back home.
"If Dancing On Ice is anything other than entertainment – we've got 11 human beings of all different shapes and sizes stood on this stage with an allocated time to get good at something.
"We've proved that we can do it, and what an inspirational show."
Dancing On Ice cast enjoy end party
The cast flocked to the dance floor to celebrate the end of this year's Dancing On Ice, with Patsy Palmer rocking out on the DJ decks.
The show contestant looked like she was having a ball as she played tunes at the wrap party.
In one video, the former EastEnders star shared a video of the crew dancing the electric slide to Candy by Cameo.
"Candy !!!! Literally smashed it @dancingonice what a crew ! No hesitation. It's a LONDON THING," she wrote adding prayer, ice skate and heart emojis.
"I'll miss this crew," she added.
Once Patsy had her fun on the decks, she joined the dance floor and met up with pals.
Nile thanked fans for all of the votes
Nile Wilson thanked fans for voting last night after he was crowned the 2023 Dancing on Ice champion.
Nile, 27, and their pro dancer Olivia looked over the moon last night with their new title, having taken over from last year's winner Regan Gascoigne.
The Vivienne reflects on her ‘amazing experience’
The drag queen, 30, said: “It’s been the most amazing experience. I’m so used to living out of a suitcase on a tour bus or somewhere and this has given me structure in my life and I’ve got fit and I’ve met the most amazing friend in colleague.”
Ekin-Su was back wearing her controversial outfit
Ekin-Su was joined by other eliminated celebs yesterday evening.
She returned with the controversial outfit that was slammed earlier on in the series.
Credit: ITV
The Vivienne’s incredible Bolero in unseen moment from Dancing on Ice final
Dancing On Ice hosts Holly Willoughby and Phil Schofield shared The Vivienne's incredible Bolero in an unseen moment from the show.
The skating star missed out on performing the famous dance for fans after coming third in the final of the competition last night.
The Vivienne, whose real name is James Lee Williams, and her skating partner Colin Grafton pre-recorded the iconic skate in case they made it to the final two acts.
And presenters Holly and Phil appeared glassy eyed watching them glide across the ice in the footage that aired on This Morning today.
The pair skated to French composer Maurice Ravel's orchestral piece Bolero in matching purple costumes - in a nod to DOI judges Christopher Dean and Jane Torvill who first performed the skate at the 1984 Winter Olympics and won gold medals.
Fans all have the same complaint after series finale
Dancing On Ice viewers were all left with the same complaint following last night's final.
The episode saw Olympic gymnast and his professional partner Olivia Smart raise the trophy after skating the Olympic gold-winning Bolero dance.
Joey Essex and Vanessa Bauer also danced the Bolero, but failed to secure the winning spot.
And it was that specific dance that left those watching at home with complaints - with some suggesting the famous routine should be scrapped.
Taking to social media, one wrote: “Can we change it up. I know the bolero is iconic but its been done too much now. Its just boring.''
Another added: “Is Vanessa not sick of doing the bolero every single year lol so boring.”
While a third penned: “Maybe it’s time to retire the Bolero skate now.”
Dancing On Ice star admits winner Nile Wilson ‘had an advantage’ after fix row
Dancing On Ice star Sylvain Longchambon has admitted 2023 winner Nile Wilson did have an advantage.
It comes after fans blasted the finale as a "fix''.
While some were thrilled for the 27-year-old sportsman, others felt his routine was too heavily focussed around his gymnastic talents.
Now former contestant Sylvain has waded into the "fix" row, telling : “Being a gymnast, he has a slight advantage because he probably knows better how to hold his body and is probably aware of his body.
"At the end of the day, you get judged on the lines, your technique and performance in gymnastics.
"He knows how to compete and he’s probably good under pressure.
"In that sense, he might have a slight advantage.”
Joey Essex’s rarely seen nan Linda looks glamorous as she cheers him on from the audience
As Joey Essex took to the ice last night for the show's grand finale, fans spotted rarely seen nan Linda Sims in the audience.
Viewers were pleased to see Linda, who has been the skater's rock since his mum tragically died when he was a child, sat in the audience rooting him on.
But she was not the only one, Towie star James 'Diags' Bennewith was sat next to Linda cheering his former co-star and friend on.
Find out more here.
Nile and Olivia became emotional after the Bolero
Olympian Nile Wilson and his skating partner Olivia Smart became emotional after they performed the famous Bolero during the Dancing On Ice final.
Wilson said: “We got to skate the most iconic ice dance of all time. And I knew this was Oliva’s dream as well. What an absolute pleasure, what a process it’s been. We’ve put our all into it and we gave 110% and you can see how much it means to us.”
Judge Christopher Dean, said: “It is an emotional dance and when you get to do it, you feel it and that’s what we wanted to pass on to you and you felt it tonight”, while Jayne Torvill added that what she had liked about their version was they had lots of moments from the original but “still made it their own”.
Nile Wilson says win proves ‘you can achieve anything you want’
The Olympic gymnast, 27, saw off competition from reality star Joey Essex, who came second, and drag queen The Vivienne, who finished in third place, during Sunday’s grand finale.
After being declared the winner, Wilson 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.”
Fans send sweet messages to Joey Essex
Following last night's show, Dancing on Ice fans have rushed to social media to send sweet messages to this year's runner-up, Joey Essex.
One wrote: ''Hope you continue skating and inspire other to do so - you were a joy to watch.''
A second said: ''Loved watching your journey on Dancing on Ice.... You have grown every week, amazing.... Finishing 2nd but be so super proud its such an amazing achievement.''
While a third penned: ''Still winners. What a show. Joey & Vanessa you were epic!! Loved u both each week. Thank u.''
‘Doctors thought I’d die’ – The Vivienne
The Vivienne has spoken about her severe ketamine addiction, which left doctors fearing for her life after she was hospitalised.
The drag queen, 30, landed herself in hospital three times in one month after she was taking the drug at “breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
She said how she first became hooked on the substance after working on the Liverpool club scene.
She told : “I could have three bags of it just putting my face on. I did it on and off for four years. I was getting evicted from apartments, I had no money.”
After realising that she needed to make a drastic change, she moved from Liverpool to Gran Canaria six years ago to get clean.
She said that she knew people over in Spain who asked her to do a gig for Pride.
“I did it, I was there for a week, and I felt like myself and I hadn’t touched a thing all week,” she said.
She also met her now-husband David Ludford and said that moving abroad “changed her life”.
What does the winner of Dancing on Ice get?
There is no cash prize for winning Dancing On Ice.
However, the winner does take home a HUGE trophy, which is awarded to them by hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
They also get the honour of saying they won the show.
Also, as often is the case, the winning celebrity lands TV deals after being crowned champion.
Nile Wilson 'hanging up skates' despite being crowned champion
Dancing on Ice star Nile Wilson has revealed he will be hanging up his skates despite taking home the winning title.
Before the final, Nile told and other news outlets: "My skates will be hung up in my wardrobe unless Olivia gives me a call and drags me back out.
"I'm so buzzing when I have kids I can take them to the rink but it's onto the next weird and wonderful thing for me."
Dancing On Ice winners list in full
Since 2006 a whole host of celebrities have competed to be crowned the Dancing on Ice champion.
Here’s a look those who have scooped the title over the years.
- 2006 – Gaynor Faye
- 2007 – Kyran Bracken
- 2008 – Suzanne Shaw
- 2009 – Ray Quinn
- 2010 – Hayley Tamaddon
- 2011 – Sam Attwater
- 2012 – Matthew Wolfenden
- 2013 – Beth Tweddle
- All Stars 2014 – Ray Quinn
- 2018 – Jake Quickenden
- 2019 – James Jordan
- 2020 – Joe Swash
- 2021 – Sonny Jay
- 2022 – Regan Gascoigne
- 2023 - Nile Wilson
Dancing On Ice ‘reveals’ new celebrity signing for next series
Olympic gymnast Louis Smith has thrown his hat in the rink to join the skating competition next year.
Last night he made a rare public appearance in the audience and presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield couldn't resist the opportunity to sign him for 2024.
Holly pounced first and said: "Listen, you've been the champion of so many things, Strictly, The Masked Dancer, I mean, there's an ice rink with your name on it."
Appearing a bit sheepish at first, Louis replied: "I've got too many cobwebs to be honest with you. I'm a bit out of action."
He then paused and added: "But you give me three months...."
Excited, Phil blurted out: "Oh we'll give you more than that! We'll give you more.
"We'll all speak later."
A look at the winning moment
Dancing on Ice has shared a look back at the moment Holly and Phill announced this year's winning couple - Nile and Olivia.
Take a look below.
The Vivviene congratulates fellow co-stars
Following last night's show, Dancing on Ice star The Vivienne has congratulated fellow co-stars, Nile and Olivia.
The skating star wrote: ''Well at least i can stay in bed and not have to put my face on for #gmb what a night! Congratulations to @NileMW and @OliviaSmart_ , fantastic winner'', followed by a number of green love heart emojis.
Fans congratulate Nile and Olivia
Fans have rushed to social media to congratulate 2023 Dancing on Ice champions Nile and Olivia.
One wrote: ''Fantastic Nile. Best ever Bolero, well done. Your a fantastic contestant. Brilliant.''
A second said: ''So so well deserved Nile and Olivia absolutely amazing every week.''
While a third wrote: ''Absolutely class week in week out. Congrats to you both!''