Dancing On Ice viewers brand Eddie the Eagle their winner after ski jumper arrives on rink on giant bird and shocks them with his talent

Dancing On Ice viewers labeled Eddie the Eagle as their winner after he impressed them with his skating skills during Sunday’s episode of the show.

The English ski jumper and Olympian, 60, made a grand entrance for his performance as he soared above the ink of a giant model of an eagle.

Sportsman Eddie, real name Michael Edwards, and his professional skating partner Vicky Ogden danced to Jon Bon Jovi’s classic hit Livin’ on a Prayer.

Before his routine, Eddie descended from the rafters of the huge eagle hanging from metal wires.

The moment impressed viewers, with many taking to social media to express their joy at what they had seen.

Dancing On Ice viewers labeled Eddie the Eagle as their winner after he impressed them with his skating skills during Sunday’s episode of the show – arriving on a giant bird

Sportsman Eddie, real name Michael Edwards, and his professional skating partner Vicky Ogden danced to Jon Bon Jovi's classic hit Livin' on a Prayer

Sportsman Eddie, real name Michael Edwards, and his professional skating partner Vicky Ogden danced to Jon Bon Jovi’s classic hit Livin’ on a Prayer

One person wrote on Twitter: ‘When it landed on that Eagle all I could think was: here we go, here’s the joke candidate. Should have known better. Dude is a bit of a surprise.”

While someone else said: ‘Eddie the Eagle surprised me so much, I didn’t expect him to be this good.’

‘Eddie The Eagle is my new favorite! What an achievement,” said another.

While someone else insisted: ‘Eddie the Eagle must win, well and truly.’

“Ricky Norwood deserved a better score from Oti, he looks like he’s improved so much since day 1. In other news, Eddie The Eagle MUST win, what a legend,” wrote another show fan.

And someone else wrote: ‘Eddie the eagle was just fantastic. Well done, Eddie!’

Another audience member at home commented: ‘Unexpected excellence of the evening – Eddie the Eagle was brilliant!’

While someone else praised: ‘Eddie “The Eagle” surprised me, I did NOT expect it to be this good.’

The English ski jumper and Olympian, 60, made a grand entrance for his performance as he soared above the ink on a giant model of an eagle

The English ski jumper and Olympian, 60, made a grand entrance for his performance as he soared above the ink on a giant model of an eagle

Before his routine, Eddie descended from the rafters of the huge eagle hanging from metal wires

Before his routine, Eddie descended from the rafters of the huge eagle hanging from metal wires

1705873882 530 Dancing On Ice viewers brand Eddie the Eagle their winner

1705873884 914 Dancing On Ice viewers brand Eddie the Eagle their winner

1705873885 240 Dancing On Ice viewers brand Eddie the Eagle their winner

1705873887 135 Dancing On Ice viewers brand Eddie the Eagle their winner

1705873889 263 Dancing On Ice viewers brand Eddie the Eagle their winner

1705873890 10 Dancing On Ice viewers brand Eddie the Eagle their winner

1705873893 141 Dancing On Ice viewers brand Eddie the Eagle their winner

1705873895 365 Dancing On Ice viewers brand Eddie the Eagle their winner

1705873897 434 Dancing On Ice viewers brand Eddie the Eagle their winner

The moment impressed viewers, with many taking to social media to express their joy at what they had seen

The moment impressed viewers, with many taking to social media to express their joy at what they had seen

Someone else simply wrote: ‘Wow! The Eagle has landed!’

While someone else said: ‘Pleasantly surprised by Eddie. Okay, Mister Eagle, fly over that ice!’

Eddie had a rocky start to his Dancing On Ice journey after his original partner Tippy Packard had to withdraw due to injury.

Reflecting on the challenge in his opening VT, he said, “Hopefully from now on we can spend a lot more time on the ice and wow everyone with that first dance.”

Eddie – who burst onto the scene at the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary – added of his chances: “I’ve always been an underdog. When I went to Calgary, I was a real underdog.”

Eddie was brought in as a last-minute replacement after Gogglebox star Stephen Lustig-Webb broke his ankle in the first week of rehearsals and had to withdraw from the competition.

Ricky Hatton was voted off Dancing On Ice later in the show.

The former boxer was ‘gutted’ to be the first celebrity to be axed from the 2024 series after he and partner Robin Johnstone – who made his first appearance last week – faced bottom-placed skater Lou Sanders and her partner Brendyn Hatfield from this week were in the dreaded skate-off.

Dancing On Ice presenter Stephen Mulhern also took a ride on Eddie's eagle during Sunday's episode of the show

Dancing On Ice presenter Stephen Mulhern also took a ride on Eddie’s eagle during Sunday’s episode of the show

1705873902 759 Dancing On Ice viewers brand Eddie the Eagle their winner

Holly Willoughby shared a photo of Stephen on Instagram after the show and joked that she would leave her co-host in the air on the eagle.

Holly Willoughby shared a photo of Stephen on Instagram after the show and joked that she would leave her co-host in the air on the eagle.

After the vote in which he failed to impress the judges, Ricky said: “I’m sad to go home, I’ve tried to be a winner all my life and in everything I’ve done – it It’s been a while since I watched the second round.

‘I think I will continue skating. I may have gone out on the first round, but I had a great time and met some great friends.

‘I would like to thank Robin and the coaches for their hard work and even though I go home in the first round, I go home happy.’

All four judges chose to save Lou and Brendyn.

Ashley Banjo said: “Both of you have leveled up not once, but probably two levels from your original skate, so you should both be proud, especially you Ricky. But based on the content and the skating, I will save Lou and Brendan.”

Oti Mabuse added: “My vote goes to the strongest skate, the one with the most content.”

Christopher Dean said, “Ricky, a lot more substance and feeling, but it’s about the skating, so tonight I’m saving Lou and Brendyn.”

Ricky Hatton was voted off Dancing On Ice after the former boxer and his professional partner Robin Johnstone ended up in the skate-off

Ricky Hatton was voted off Dancing On Ice after the former boxer and his professional partner Robin Johnstone ended up in the skate-off

After the vote, Ricky said:

After the vote, Ricky said: “I’m sad to go home, I’ve tried all my life to be a winner and everything I’ve done – it’s been a while since I’ve seen the second round.”

This week’s head judge, Jayne Torvill, confirmed that she would also have chosen to send Ricky and Robin home.

She said: ‘I would have saved Lou and Brendyn because it was a much better performance.’

While the couples were split into two groups of six in the first two weeks of the show, all eleven remaining couples will take to the ice next Sunday for Movie Week.

Dancing On Ice continues on Sunday January 28 at 6.20pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

DANCING ON ICE: MEET THE PARTICIPANTS OF 2024

RICKY HATTON

1705062263 116 Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on her TV comeback just

AGE: 44

PROFESSION: Former professional boxer

WHAT DID HE SAY? “If I can control my nerves in the boxing ring, I should also be able to control my nerves on the ice rink.”

HANNA SPEARRITT

1705062265 332 Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on her TV comeback just

AGE: 42

PROFESSION: SINGER

WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I’m really excited about learning a new skill. It’s so easy to live a comfortable life and that aspect of mixing things up is very attractive.’

GREG RUTHERFORD

1705062267 501 Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on her TV comeback just

AGE: 36

PROFESSION: Athlete

WHAT DID HE SAY? “I like a challenge and I needed a reason to start doing things again and here we are. I want to do something that has never been done before, that’s my goal.’

Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards

1705062268 256 Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on her TV comeback just

AGE: 59

PROFESSION: OLYMPIC SKIUMPER

WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Dancing on Ice is a show I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a challenge I think I’ll enjoy!’

RICKY NORWOOD

1705062270 816 Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on her TV comeback just

AGE: 40

PROFESSION: EastEnders star

WHAT DID HE SAY? “It comes at such a great time in life. I can’t skate at all! No rehearsals yet, I just had physiotherapy to strengthen the body.’

RIAN THOMAS

1705062272 853 Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on her TV comeback just

AGE: 39

PROFESSION: Corrie star

WHAT DID HE SAY? “Everyone keeps asking me, ‘Are you doing it?’ I told everyone!’

CLAIRE SWEENEY

1705062274 976 Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on her TV comeback just

AGE: 52

PROFESSION: ACTRESS

WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I am stepping into the unknown here. I don’t know how I’ll feel. But I’m very excited.’

AMBER DAVIES

1705062275 137 Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on her TV comeback just

AGE: 26

PROFESSION: WEST END STAR

WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I would definitely say I’m an adrenaline junkie, but I’m getting more nervous as I get older and I hope I can control them.”

MILES NAZAIRE

1705062278 780 Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on her TV comeback just

AGE: 27

PROFESSION: REALITY STAR

WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I’ve always loved to dance, but usually it’s on a dance floor on a Saturday night and Dancing on Ice looks so difficult.’

NICE SANDERS

1705062280 399 Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on her TV comeback just

AGE: 37

PROFESSION: COMEDIAN

WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I’m nervous about cracking my head open or just hitting the old head. I can’t afford to lose any more brain cells.’

ADELE ROBERTS

1705062282 982 Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on her TV comeback just

AGE: 44

PROFESSION: RADIO PRESENTER

WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘It’s ‘putting it on ice’ for me! I think the hardest part is putting myself out there because most of the time I hide.”

ROXY SHAHIDI

1705062284 576 Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on her TV comeback just

AGE: 40

PROFESSION: Emmerdale star

WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I can’t skate. I haven’t actually said anything to anyone, but mainly because I’m so nervous about it!’