Comedian lives to skate another week

Darren Harriott competed for the first time on ITV's Dancing on Ice last night – and made it through to the next round.

The comedian performed to Fireball by Pitball in a dance that ended with his partner Tippy Packard chucking a glass of water over him.

After the routine, Darren asked,  ‘Was I smiling?’ before declaring ‘That was great! Ice skating is great, so much fun!’

Judge Christopher Dean told him: ‘I watched you through the week, I think you had nerves, but your personality came out and it was a fast track.' 

After that sizzling skate, the rink is melting! @DarrenHarriott & @TippyPackard cooked up a healthy score of 26.5 #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/8MEAYyhNV3

— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) January 22, 2023

Their score of 26.5 put them joint third out of the five dancers taking part, but well clear of last-placed John Fashanu and Alexandra Schauman on 19.

Former footballer Fashanu then competed against Love Island’s Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu in the dance-off, with the reality star being having been judged as the weakest by viewers from the previous week’s opening episode. Cülcüloğlu was then saved by judges, sending Fashanu home.

Harriott’s progression means he lasted longer than some of those closest to him thought. Before the contest, he admitted. ‘I’ve got giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance. My family has already made bets – they’re making bets that I’ll fall on the first episode!’

And he had a setback when he sustained an injury during training, telling his fans earlier in the month: ‘I fell backwards yesterday on the ice near the end of my lesson and I now have whiplash. I can't turn my head properly or raise my left arm.’

However, the inflammation subsided enough for him to skate last night. Speaking on Instagram afterwards Darren thanked his followers for their support saying: ‘Gosh what a rush’

Next Sunday, the remaining ten celebrities will take to the ice all in one show for the first time. It airs at 6:25pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

Harriott will be embarking on his first UK tour, Roadman, this autumn. Darren ​Harriott tour dates

Published: 23 Jan 2023