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March 22 Live Blog - The Grand Final!SHOW STARTS:
Who should win Dancing On Ice 2009?
Click 'add a comment' below to leave your views... I'm crossing my fingers that Torvill and Dean perform the closest thing to 'the real' Bolero this year. Each time they provide a glorious homage to their Olympic routine, but I'm hoping to feel the magic tonight. Come on guys, please... I really want to see those tuck twists! Chris has always said they're too old now to do them, but I think they're in the best shape ever... I mean Jayne looks slimmer now than she was back then. I'm hoping that the obvious improvement in both of their physiques is because they're planning to do the monty.
Here we go... Jayne & Chris perform Bolero. 
YES, YES, YES - They even did the tuck twists!
How bloody marvelous was that?! Love, love, loved it! What a fantastic performance. Chris Dean admits he felt emotional at the end and I'm not surprised... "Doing it again like that 25 years on, I've got a lump in my throat." Tonight's required element is Flying (obviously). Each skater must make smooth transitions from ice to air and back again. It must look effortless at all times, even when they're spinning 360 degrees - Good luck with that, that's all I can say!
To be honest, I'd be papping it. Those wires run via computer you know? Once they start, there's no stopping them and if you miss your cue then you're being dragged about on the ice by cheesewire - God help you if you're upside down or doing the splits at the time. Ouch!
THE PERFORMANCES: FLYING
The ice panel are introduced and Head Judge Robin Cousins says he hopes that the skaters will prove themselves tonight. First up to skate is Donal and his flying training is hilarious. "I'm a beer drinking, pizza eating, rugby watching kinda guy - Being graceful is difficult." He's not kidding, Chris Dean giggles and says it's like he's Irish dancing. Donal admits, "It's grace and beauty that counts andyou want to be an eagle, but I'm a bit of a Dodo on the ice."
Fortunately that was at the start of the week and there's been much improvement. The pair perform to Rocketman and Donal is far betterthan I ever thought possible. WOW! He poses well, leg lines are good (though a little stiff in the arms), there are two back somersaults, a handstand and a travelling trapeze. Donal says he's found the flyer within and Florie is so proud of him, "He was like Peter Pan." I loved the handstand with Florie performing a slow-motion run beneath - Gorgeous!
23.5 Ruthie gives a 6 and Jason a 3? How can they be so opposite?
Ruthie gushes, "I'm getting a real hard time here but I never thought you would be that graceful". Jason Gardiner is disgusted, "Well we all know how Ruthie likes to dish out a 6! I just don't agree with you, I thought it was lazy and sluggish - stiff. I didn't feel like you were flying, it felt like you were underwater." The crowd boo and Jason can no longer be heard... Judge Robin Cousins sides with Ruthie (he gave a 5). "I have to agree with Ruthie, I wasn't expecting you to be that graceful. I've seen a lot of men fly and you're probably the best man I've seen on the show". Jason is the first to interupt.. "It's not over yet..." I think he's refering to Ray's upcoming performance.
Jessica is up next and she's struggled with the flying as she's afraid of heights. Fortunately she managed to acclimatise herself quickly and is into the swing by the end of day 1. When she hears the music Chris has chosen for her she bursts into tears... "I'm just imagining flying to one of the best songs in the world. What's up with me today?"
Pavel and Jess perform to One Moment In Time and it's a truly beautiful routine - Very touching. There's a cloud-walk, three somersaults and a footspin (which launches her up into the air!) - She's a picture in white and silver...  25.5 points. The judges all agree that it was a beautiful performance. Karen says, "Your transfer from the ice to the air was effortless." Ruthie is overwhelmed by Jessica's grace, but Jason still feels the need to give her pointers about her hands when flying? Leave it out Jason, it's the final - It's not up to you now! Fortunately he adds that she looked beautiful up there, just before the crowd shout him down...
Ray performs to Greatest Day by Take That and all I can say is, it's an absolutely fabulous performance. You would never think that the flying makes him sick (which it does) and he's had less rehearsal time than the others because of it.
There's a running man, a back somersault, a glorious flying embrace with Maria, a hand drag and then the final flyaway-moment. Amazing! He has lovely posture on the wires and great lines... Sixes across the board and he deserves every one for that - It was like it was in slow motion - amazing!
Ruthie says he's a triple threat, "you can sing, dance and skate!" Nicky says that it was a top-notch performance and his transitions on the ice were phenomenal. "Ray Quinn, bring it on - Maria that was beautiful. Fantastic control... Transitions from air to ice were perfect. The focus and relationship between the two of you just had me enthralled. It was a 6 performance Ray and I'm not surprised!" Ruthie smiles, "It was poetry in motion. You have the IT factor which is something you cannot teach anybody - You are a star!"
Ray is overjoyed when the scores come in and I think if he could jump as high as those wires take him, he would! "That's fantastic, but when I said I felt sick - You nearly all got it then!"
Phil Schofield points out that he had to be 'really poorly' to look so pale through the fake tan. I though he looked almost green in training - It wasn't pretty!
THE PERFORMANCES: SKATERS FAVOURITE
Donal says that after taking part in Dancing On Ice he's got a new found respect for dance. He says that Florentine is a great person and she's been a real rock for him. He feels that Everybody Hurts was his favourite performance, "as that's when I really felt the song and got lost in the dance. I want my last skate to be my best skate so I can make my kids and my beautiful wife proud of me." It sounds as though Donal thinks this will be it for him... I'm not so sure you know.
The pair perform to REM's heart-wrenching track and it is truly beautiful to watch. Donal chose well here, there's no need for him to act when he can feel... There's a layout, a spiral, some gorgeous emotive choreography and a shoulder lift into back crucifix (with cartwheel dismount) - The end is so touching...
 The scores reflect the performance, 25.5 - His best so far.
Donal is pleased, "It's been such a special journey with Florentine. I have a real respect for choreography (even from the world of Jason), we've took what he said onboard and worked hard - We've tried out best."
Judge Karen Barber has obviously connected with Donal... "Donal, you're what this show is all about - The celebrity that can't skate and the journey that follows... Who would have predicted yur journey." Ruthie can't believe the difference between his first REM performance and now. "That was beautiful. You have such a lovely heart Donal and it shines through..." So True!
OH NO! I'm gutted that Jessica has chosen Mercy and not Venus as her favourite performance! I thought her Venus routine had everything and was a real turning point fo her. It had so much more umph than this... She feels that she nailed Mercy last time around, but I didn't like it. I just thought it had no personality.
26 points.
Don't get me wrong, there's a fabulous candle lift, jump sequence and tabletop (as before), but I have to agree with Jason - "There's no wow factor." Judge Nicky thought she'd improved from last time and her partnership with Pav was better. I'm not convinced... If I was choosing between her and Donal based on both performances, I'd choose Donal.
Jessica's enjoying it though. "It means the world to me to get into the final. I'm having the time of my life, brilliant!"
Oooh, could we have another 30 pointer?
Ray Quinn has chosen Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now as his favourite performance and last time he pulled 6's across the board - It looked no different to me, so I guess there's a chance. There's a full drape, solo spin, arabesque... The list goes on and on... 6'S EVERYWHERE! 30 POINTS!
Ray and Maria are overwhelmed and they both say how much they love each other...
Robin Cousins is a ball of excitement, "Absolutely amazing! I like to see these again because you get a more confident performance. Donal took it to the next level, where as you add little nuances - like a shoulder shrug... There were so many moments... I disagree with Ruthie, you're not a triple threat, you're a quadruple threat. As far as I'm concerned you can add professional ice skater to your resume." WOW! Talk about a compliment from the Olympic gold medalist.
It was an amazing performance. I have a funny feeling we could have two boys in the final you know... Mercy could have ruined Jessica's chances.
Lines will close after this ad break. The final two will be decided and then the lines re-open so you guys can vote for the winner. Who will skate Bolero?
Click 'add a comment' below to leave your views...
THE FINAL TWO:
I hate this part, all three couples have created their own Bolero and are dressin their Bolero outfit - It's such a shame that one of them won't be able to perform.
Through to Bolero are:
Ray & Maria and... Donal & Florentine! I knew it!
She should have skated to Venus.  Poor Jessica is in tears, she was obviously hoping to perform Bolero and it's heartbreaking. Just to add insult to injury they now have to watch their best bits... Phil Schofield begs her not to cry. "It means such a great deal to me to be part of such a brilliant show. I feel like I'm a performer now, it's really brought me out of my shell... I've loved every minute of it. I did just really want to do that for my Mum on Mother's Day..."
Pavel agrees that it's such a shame they won't get to dance the Bolero tonight. "We both just really love it, but we will be on the tour and we WILL do it on the tour!"
Donal and Ray will now skate Bolero. All previous votes are wiped and we start from scratch again (as the lines re-open). Get voting for your winner Joe...
Donal is up first and he really wants to do the Bolero justice. As he watches the footage of Jayne and Chris in training he can't believe how beautiful their routine is. When they move onto the ice, the pair decide to try a new lift and hope to use it. Chris says they can include the spiral lift as the only rules are, that they have to start on their knees and end in the Bolero pose - flat out on the ice.
Donal and Florentine perform and it's a fabulous end to a wonderful journey. There's a swan spiral lift, hood balance pose and a hydraglide, to name but a few and his place in the final is well deserved.
Phil Scholfield suggests that Donal had written himself of earlier and Donal nods, he's overjoyed to be in the final. Instead of gushing about himself though, he suggests that the wonderful Torvill and Dean deserve knighthoods - Here, here!
Robin Cousins praises Donal and enjoyed the Bolero. "It was controlled and reserved, it didn't necessarily have the passion but it was focused."
Now it's time for our Ray of Sunshine...
Ray can't wait to have a go at the Bolero, but is worried that he's gone from learning a routine to choreographing one. He's also keen to try out the split swapover that Chris performed himself at the Olympics but is concerned that he may not pull it of on the night...
Watching...
Ray and Maria interpreted that so well. There was just enough Torvill and Dean mixed with their partnering, passion and warmth. There was a devlappe, a fantastic interlocking stag roll and the splits swapover (which was perfect).
Phil asked if he was surprised to dance Bolero. "Anything could have happened as nothing was certain, but the fact that I got to do that with a partner like Maria - Well it was an absolute privilege."
Chris Dean agrees with Phil that Donal has come a long way, "But I got a lump in my throat when I performed my Bolero and I just got another one then (during Ray's performance)." Judge Nicky Slater is choked... He can barely speak he's so emotional. "I see you performing Jayne and Chris's choreography softly and gently like they did [before my eyes] - It blows me away." GO ON RAY!!! Sorry Donal fans, what can I say?
Bless... There's a short break and the eliminated celebs return to skate once more. D'you know, it's only when you watch the ousted skaters that you appreciate how good the finalists really are. I loved seeing Todd back and was happy that Colleen performed I'm In The Mood again, it's a classic!
Lines are now closed.
After watching their best bits, the two remaining finalists are brought together on the ice. It's result time...
The Dancing On Ice Champion 2009 is...
RAY QUINN! GET IN YOU BEAUTY!
"I am absolutely speechless, I've been dreaming of this moment since the beginning and I'm so pleased we did it together." Maria can't stop hugging him and nods that it's a wonderful Mother's Day present.
It's commiserations for Donal and Florentine... Then again, from Donal's face I think he had a feeling it would be Ray - Both he and Florie are smiling and applauding.
In a rather rushed ending, Ray and Maria are presented with their trophy and the credits roll. I guess that's it till next year guys... What a great show! Do you think the right man won? I do.
Click 'add a comment' below to leave your views... See you back here tomorrow for more... I'm off to chat with Ray Quinn and then I'll be back. Selena x Other blogs currently running...
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