Final Skate Off is the ultimate test

Christopher Dean gives Maria Cusine his verdics on the three Dancing on Ice finalists.

The ice hots up tomorrow night as the Final Skate Off arrives. Millions of viewers have been glued to their screens for the past two months watching the celebrity skaters perform with their professional partners and tomorrow will see the final trio face the ultimate test.

Zaraah Abrahams, Suzanne Shaw and Chris Fountain will give their last and best performance of the competition. And they have been helped along the way by Britain’s legendary ice skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

“All three finalists have had such a fantastic journey and have improved week on week as the series has gone on,” said skating star Chris, but he won’t be drawn on who he thinks should walk away with the Dancing on Ice crown tomorrow night.

All the stars have been lucky enough to be coached by

“Jayne and I are always the impartial ones. We’ve trained with them, choreographed with them and so we see the best in all of them,” says the Olympic champion.

“They each have their own strengths. Suzanne has poise elegance and grace naturally. Chris is a very powerful skater and Zaraah has conquered her nerves fantastically well. “”Each of them have done so well to be in the final three. There is no doubting that this is a demanding competition both mentally and physically.”

“There’s be some moments from this year’s show - some funny, some fabulous, and others just plain painful.

“There have been a number of injuries this year yes but there is usually a few throughout the series,” says Chris, who suffered an injury himself.

“I had to see to my knee in the middle of the series but everything is fine now. Of course, it is a dangerous sport but it’s also wonderfully rewarding.” Host Holly Willoughby’s low cut dresses have been making as many headlines as the show itself, and Chris finds the fuss all amusing.

“I think it’s all a bit of fun, Holly has got it so why not flaunt it!,” he laughed.

The coaches-turned-presenters take the show on the road in a UK tour next month, which will be at Birmingham NIA from April 15-20.

Which does he prefer - the TV show or the tour?

“On Tour, the celebs and their partners usually perform them to what is usually phenomenally loud audiences. Most of the celebrities have not experienced the sound of a live arena audience and I remember last year most of them were blown away by the noise and energy. It’s a different dynamic in an arena to a TV studio due to the sheer size but we all have a great time on the road and we can’t wait to get back on Tour,” he said.

And what of the future - any sign of the skating duo retiring? “We’ve no plans to hang our skates up yet. We’ll be back!,” he laughed.

l Dancing On Ice: The Final will be screened on ITV1, Sunday, 7pm.