Popstar Gareth Gates voted off Dancing On Ice semi-finals

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Pop star Gareth Gates described his Dancing On Ice experience as "fantastic" after becoming the latest celebrity to get the boot from the show.

The Bradford-born singer was unanimously voted off by the judges last night after finding himself in the semi-final skate-off with Coronation Street's Zaraah Abrahams.

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Voted off: Gareth Gates, here with skating partner Maria Filippov on last night's show, became the latest celebrity to bite the dust in ice-skating competition Dancing On Ice, here with skating partner Maria Filippov

Abrahams, Suzanne Shaw and Chris Fountain will now go through to next week's final.

Gates, 23, was pleased with his routine, which this week had to include a solo section.

After a performance with skating partner Maria Filippov which included six lifts, he said: "I absolutely loved that. I really rocked out! It was really weird in the tunnel skating out on my own."

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Semi-finalists: Gareth Gates at Maria Filippov were one step away from the finals of the competition

But his choice of song - Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi - proved apt and the judges, who awarded a total of 24.5, were less impressed.

Judge Jason Gardiner, who awarded 4.5 points said: "Gareth came out and started this routine. It was amazing. You were sharp. You were on it.

"Slowly but surely though the whole routine got away from you. You were playing catch up. Your arms let you down.

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End of the road: Gareth's choice of song for last night's routine - Livin' on a Prayer - proved appropriate as he was voted off

"This is the semi-final and that wasn't a semi-final performance."

On hearing that he had not made the cut, Gates said: "I have fought out there and that is all I could've done. It's been fantastic and I love Maria to bits. Thank you to everyone."

Abrahams, 20, and her partner Fred Palascak scored a total of 27 points, and said after her routine: "Thank god! My legs are like jelly, I was so nervous.

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Awaiting fate: Gareth Gates, left, with partner Maria Filippov, just before they failed to make it into next week's final. Also pictured: Suzanne Shaw and Matt Evers, Zaraah Abrahams and Fred Palascak (second right) and Chris Fountain and Frankie Poultney

"It would mean so much to be in the final, all the hard work would have paid off."

Hollyoaks pin-up Fountain, and partner Frankie Poultney danced to Livin' La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin, notching up the highest score of the series.

The 20-year-old said: "I am so so pleased with that. I enjoyed that routine so much. I did the best I could.

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Triumphant: Suzanne Shaw (left), Chris Fountain (centre) and Zarrah Abrahams (right) have made it through to next week's final. Coronation Street's Abrahams won through after a skate-off with losing semi-finalist Gareth Gates

"Everyone has been fantastic and I am so pleased."

Judge Robin Cousins, who awarded a top score of six, said: "It was wonderful. He was fantastic. These lifts are a 50/50 split between the partners, it requires both of you."

Singer Shaw, 26, and partner Matt Evers danced to Eternal Flame by The Bangles, and achieved her highest score yet with 27.5 points.

Shaw said: "I went on really nervous and by the time the music started I just thought I'm going to enjoy this because this has been the best job ever."

Judge Ruthie Henshall, who scored her 5.5, said: "It was wonderful to see you do something that wasn't full of fancy lifts.

"It was so beautiful to see you skating gracefully round the ice with a beautiful relationship going on."

 

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