Dancing On Ice 2023: Joey Essex and Vanessa Bauer open new series with impressive 27 points

Dancing On Ice returned for another year on Sunday night with an ultra-glam launch, when Joey Essex opened the show with his dance partner Vanessa Bauer.

The 32-year-old former TOWIE star certainly started things off strong as he took to the ice in a sleek two-piece suit and even swung his partner into an airplane lift as they racked up 27 points out of a possible 40.

After months of romance rumors between the pair, they took the chemistry on ice, as Joey could be seen calling their partner ‘Easy on the eyes’ and admitting there would be ‘some flirting’.

It came after the show kicked off with an opening performance by the pro skaters as they stormed the ice in neon ensembles while dancing to Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody, before they were joined by 11 new celebrities for a grand finale. .

Hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby also returned to the runway as hosts of the show, as the latter looked sensational in a diamond-studded black dress.

Joey’s opening performance wowed the judges as he stepped out with his glamor partner Vanessa, who looked gorgeous in a bright green mini-dress.

Judges Jayne Torvil and Chris Dean gave it 6.5 points, with the latter saying: ‘Tonight I think you stole some hearts, that was a great performance.’ A few things to be careful of, be careful you have to skate to Vanessa, don’t let her drag you down.

While it got a 7 from both Oti Mabuse and Ashley Banjo, with Oti dubbing the reality star: ‘Lovely’.

Suave: The former TOWIE star, 32, certainly started things off with a bang when she hit the ice in a suave two-piece

Show-stopper: Joey’s opening performance wowed the judges as he stepped out with glamorous partner Vanessa, who looked gorgeous in a bright green mini dress.

Before the performance, the show gave viewers a look at Joey and Vanessa’s preparation for the first week and showed the moment they started training.

But the reality star didn’t just have her eye on the prize, she also liked the look of her partner.

Upon meeting, he said of Vanessa: ‘She’s easy on the eyes, isn’t she? Vanessa is single, I am single. There’s going to be a little flirting.

Joining the ice was EastEnders legend Patsy Palmer and teammate Matt Evers, who successfully pulled off a collection of well-executed lifts but had trouble remembering all their moves.

The soap opera star scored 21 points out of 40 as Ashley and Oti gave her a score of 5 while Jayne and Chris scored 5.5.

Not a bad start! Joey earned a total of 27 points out of 40 from the judges.

It’s the first week and I love you. You have something you can’t show, the vibe, the energy. You seemed terrified at some points, but that will come in time, so keep going,” Ashley said.

While Chris noticed that she forgot some steps, but Matt guided her to help her.

The Wanted’s Siva Kaneswaran was up next with his partner Klabera Komini.

The show features Ekin-Su Culculoglu, 28, of Love Island, and Michelle Heaton, 43, of Liberty X, who are hoping to be crowned champions.

Other celebrities competing in this year’s series include soccer legend John Fashanu, Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson, Coronation Street’s Mollie Gallagher, Drag Queen and TV personality The Vivienne, comedian Darren Harriott, actress and star of the West End Carley Stenson.

DANCING ON ICE 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

PATSY PALMER

YEARS: fifty

PROFESSION: actress and dj

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: “I’ve turned it down before because I was terrified, but when I turned 50 I made a pact to get out of my confrontation zone. ‘

EKIN-SU CULCULOGLU

YEARS: 28

PROFESSION: love island star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I have incredible news to tell you. I’m so excited, I can’t wait to get on the ice and skate. Stay tuned and see you on the ice.

mollie gallagher

YEARS: 24

PROFESSION: Actress

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: “I don’t have the best coordination, so when people find out they’ll laugh, but I don’t want to spend my life saying ‘I can’t do this, I can’t do that’.”

JOEY ESSEX

YEARS: 32

PROFESSION: Former TOWIE star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited. I wanted something in my life with structure and it’s more serious than I usually do.’

carley stenson

YEARS: 36

PROFESSION: Actress and West End star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited to be able to learn to dance…on ice! I’m terrified but I can’t wait, I just want to make the most of this whole experience.”

SIVA KANESWARAN

AGE: 33

PROFESSION: Singer

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: “I want to learn to skate and make my family proud of me and put on a show for all to see.”

John Fashanu

YEARS: 60

PROFESSION: Former footballer and expert

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m definitely in it to win it. And this may be one of the scariest things I’ve ever signed up for, but I couldn’t be more up for the challenge!’

NILE WILSON

YEARS: 26

PROFESSION: olympic gymnast

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I haven’t ice skated a lot, but I’m very excited for the opportunity. I’m so excited to get into that routine and feel like an athlete again.’

JAMES LEE WILLIAM AKA LA VIVIENNE

YEARS: 29

PROFESSION: drag queen

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: “To be the first drag performer to take part in one of the UK’s biggest reality competitions is an honor and a big step forward for queer representation on television.’

DARREN HARRIOT

PROFESSION: Funny

YEARS: 3. 4

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I have giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance. My family has already placed bets, they are betting that I will fall in the first episode!

MICHELLE HEATON

AGE: 43

PROFESSION: Singer

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: “I’ve always wanted to do it, but I know I never would have been able to complete anything because of the shape I was in 18 months ago, so I’m really thankful that I got it done this year when I’m here.” much stronger.