TV
Alex Murphy: Exciting Joe Warren-Plant is Dancing on Ice’s frontrunner
Reigning Dancing on Ice champion Alex Murphy says that Joe Warren-Plant is starting to come into his own in this year’s competition and is now a frontrunner to be crowned winner of the series.
After a shaky start to the competition, which saw him land badly on the ice, the British soap star has performed well and established himself as one of the celebrities who could go all the way to the final.
Alex believes that his skating experience has been key and that he’s been a contender since week one.
She said: “Joe Warren-Plant is another one with skating background that is definitely up there at the top of the competition. He’s doing incredibly well, and I loved his performance last weekend.
“He and Colin Jackson having skating backgrounds has really helped and it’s obvious they are frontrunners. I’m so excited to see how they develop over the next few weeks as they were confident in the beginning, but I know as the season progresses, they will be even better.”
Last weekend saw the skaters challenged in ‘musical week’, where they skated to famous rendition from famous musicals, which Alex admits is always her favourite week of the series.
“Musical week is always my favourite week,” she said. “I love Broadway in the West End, and I think this week was so exciting as the performers get to play different characters. Again, I loved Lady Leshurr.
“I love that Jason Donovan chose to really perform last week, and also liked how much he enjoyed musical week, as he gave everything to put on a really good show. I definitely think the skating needs to improve a bit and he might be in a little trouble, but it’s great to see him put his heart and soul into it.”
Alex was also encouraged by performances from Faye Brookes, who continues to shine on the show, while she reserved special praise for newcomer Amy Tinkler.
She said: “I am so happy for her (Amy) and I think she was wonderful for her first time out. It wasn’t easy but you can see she’s a true competitor and I’m excited to see how well she does.”
Last week saw Graham Bell say his farewells after he was voted next to leave following a skate-off with Rebekah Vardy, and Alex believes that the wife of the Premier League striker Jamie Vardy will need to perform more risks and show off her skating skills if she’s to remain in the competition.
She said: “Unfortunately, every week someone needs to go home, and it’s disappointing that it was Graham as he had a lot to give, but so does Rebecca and ultimately the judges’ call is the final answer!
“It was great to see Rebekah perform lifts in the skate-off, but I would have liked to see a bit more skating. Hopefully she will show that this weekend, otherwise her and Jason might be in trouble and could be next to go.”
