Dancing On Ice’s Nile Wilson is set to make history as the first male contestant to perform the headbanger.
The Olympic gymnast, 27, will go head-to-head with Joey Essex, 32, and The Vivienne, 30, in Sunday’s grand final.
And the sportsman is certainly pulling out all the stops in a bid to win the glittering trophy – however, he admits he’s ‘petrified’ about taking on the daring move.
The grand final will see the finalists and their pro partners perform three routines – a showcase routine, a battle skate and for the final two, a Boléro.
Head judges and ice legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will choreograph the showcase routines, with the pair no doubt having high expectations of Nile as he takes on the showstopping move.
Going for gold: Dancing On Ice’s Nile Wilson is set to make history as the first male contestant to perform the headbanger
Scary: The sportsman is certainly pulling out all the stops in a bid to win the glittering trophy – however, he admits he’s ‘petrified’ about taking on the daring move
Speaking to MailOnline, Nile said: ‘Jayne and Chris have put the Headbanger into the routine.
‘I will be the first male contestant to be lifted in a Headbanger and I am petrified.’
Nile and skate partner Olivia Smart are no stranger to performing daring routines on the show, so it will remain to be seen whether they can pull off the headbanger.
It comes as Nile is the online bookmakers favourite to win this year’s competition by landslide, with an 80% probability.
After scoring a perfect 10 from each judge and bagging a full 40/40 mark for his performance last week, the Olympian has provided a number of breath-taking routines throughout the series.
According to Betvictor, Nile’s odds to win are 1/4 – putting him in the top spot for a win.
With 2-time Scottish champion skater Daniel King sharing: ‘Nile certainly seems to be the favourite for the judges.
‘Although all three of the finalist’s performances are at a similar level. There aren’t many points between 38, 39 and 40. So I think it will all depend on the public vote.’
The battle is on: The Olympic gymnast, 27, will go head-to-head with Joey Essex, 32, and The Vivienne, 30, in Sunday’s grand final
Big night: The grand final will see the finalists and their pro partners perform three routines – a showcase routine, a battle skate and for the final two, a Boléro
Let’s do this! ‘Jayne and Chris have put the Headbanger into the routine. I will be the first male contestant to be lifted in a Headbanger and I am petrified’
Showstopping: Nile and skate partner Olivia Smart are no stranger to performing daring routines on the show, so it will remain to be seen whether they can pull off the headbanger
The three finalists are all set to perform a bolero routine, with Nile sharing this week: ‘We’ve got some exciting stuff in store this week. It’s a huge production.’
Earlier this week, Nile revealed he was inundated with support from fans after discussing his mental health and addiction troubles on the show.
The former gymnast, 27, performed to the Shawn Mendes hit, In My Blood, last week – explaining how he sunk into a deep depression when he was forced into retirement after suffering an injury.
He subsequently needed neck surgery in February 2019, and went on to deal with his resulting depression by partying, drinking and gambling.
Nile impressed the judges with his dance, with Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean all awarding him a maximum 10 points each.
Winner? Olympian Nile could be headed for a landslide victory as the odds appear to be firmly in his favour
Majority: According to Betvictor, Nile’s odds to win are 1/4 with an 80% probability – putting him in the top spot for a win
Brave: Earlier this week, Nile revealed he was inundated with support from fans after discussing his mental health and addiction troubles on the show (pictured on Sunday)
Having turned his life around, the sportsman told The Mirror how he’s received an influx of messaged from fans, who were touched by the performance.
He said: ‘I’ve had thousands of messages which is special.
‘Messages saying how incredible it is and how it’s touched people and made them think differently, made them sort of realise that maybe they weren’t quite right, without them knowing.
‘Above any of the things I’ve achieved, winning medals, that’s one of the proudest things I’ve done.’