Has it really been one whole year since the last series of Dancing on Ice?

With adverts and mini clips teasing us over the past few weeks the line up was eventually revealed, although even that has changed in the last few days!

Nothing can be certain in the world of Dancing on Ice as it carries a risk level of massive proportions. The opening credits showed a series of falls, crashes and painful events! Ouch!

Lots of changes have been occurring behind the scenes this year!

Christine Bleakley replaces Holly Willoughby as presenter and the judging line up has also altered with Jason ‘the pantomime villain’ Gardiner departing along with Emma Bunton.

Admittedly I found Jason annoying, mainly due to his limited knowledge of skating, but I enjoyed his acerbic wit particularly the spat between Karen Barber and himself.

Nothing livens up live TV than an argument! Joining Robin Cousins on the panel are Katarina Witt (2 times Olympics Champion) and Louis Spence (Pineapple Studios).

Opening the show, the professionals skated a trick-filled number to Lady Gaga’s ‘Edge of Glory’ incorporating wires, fires and some gymnastics! 15 couples are taking to the ice with new replacements for two celebrities and one professional skater.

Broken skaters are par for the course when time is short and pressure on! Splitting the group into two, seven couples took to the ice for their first – and possibly last – skate!

Heidi Range and Andre

Having seen Heidi skate at Blackburn Ice Arena a couple of weeks ago with her new pro partner Andre, I was interested to see how she would do.

Changing partners is not only disruptive; it can really knock your confidence.

She looked lovely in her costumes and held positions well in the lifts. She doesn’t seem to bend her knees and work will need to be done on this to provide fluidity across the ice.

This will make her performance look easier and less mechanical.

Mark Rhodes and Frankie

A great mystery and burning question continuing from the last series is … where is Frankie’s last name?! I just don’t get it!

Mark doesn’t seem to be the most competent skater although I loved his facial expressions throughout the routine!

Clever choreography at the beginning meant that he didn’t move off the spot for quite a while but wiggled his derriere a lot! Enjoyable to watch but improvement needed to make his ‘mark’ (!) on this competition!

Charlene Tilton and Matthew

Charlene seems a really fun and bubbly person to be around and will be an asset to the Dancing on Ice team!

Considering she is one of the older contestants she seemed balanced and at ease on the ice in practice although not in the lifts! During the programme however the lifts seemed easy and she looked relaxed throughout.

There were a few minor mistakes in the skating but overall not a bad first outing!

Jorgie Porter and Matt

Skating to one of my favourite songs ‘Skinny Love’, Jorgi looked lovely in a baby pink dress.

Jorgi is another celebrity to have been at Blackburn rink over the past few months and looked much more polished in her movements during the routine than when I last observed her.

The arm and hand positions looked elegant and her facial expressions really added intensity to her performance. A few leg lines were a little ungainly but as an initial skate, she did great!

Chemmi Alcott and Sean

No stranger to injury, Chemmi has broken her neck, back and shattered her leg whilst competing in her sport of downhill skiing.

I love watching her ski and I was hoping it would be the same here!

Her fear of jumping after the accident will possibly hold her back but she has made a major leap of faith by just stepping onto an ice pad. Looking strong through the routine the speed was fast and energy high.

In places it looked a little wild but I thought she did great!

Andy Akinwolere and Maria

Loved the opening of his routine to ‘Moves Like Jagger’, Andy certainly has rhythm! His skating wasn’t bad with a few little lifts included which added nice highlights.

I think he needs to project out more, as he seemed to be concentrating a little too much and ignoring the audience!

He seems to enjoy his skating but Louis was a little harsh in his marking although his comments were fair. More precise and on the music sums up the performing aspect but the skating was good!

Andy Whyment and Vicky

I thought his routine was funny and so great to watch! His skating has improved no end since I saw him skate last – he has been another regular at the rink, practicing hard and the hours have paid off!

Andy looked like he had a ball out there and has the basic skating skills – if he keeps progressing then he could be in the competition quite a while!

The skate off

I was shocked that Mark Rhodes was not in the bottom two as I thought his skating skills were lacking in comparison to the other competitors.

Heidi Range and Andy Akinwolere were the unlucky duo in the skate off with both giving a similar performance to their previous skate.

With two votes to one Heidi was saved and Andy out! Sad to see one leave with only a single skate under their belt but that is the way the cookie crumbles.

Next week, the remaining eight couples skate and it will be interesting to see where everyone fits into the ranking!