Dancing On Ice comes to an end on Sunday night when the final series of the show announces its all-time winner.
After 9 years on ITV the show is taking its final bow as Ray Quinn, Hayley Tamaddon and Beth Tweddle battle it out to win the show. Of course the celebrities would be nothing without their professional partners and Daniel Whiston is the best there is.
This series heās been skating once again with Hayley and the couple have wowed audiences and the judges. We last chatted to him at the beginning of the series so we thought it was about time we had another catch-up before this weekendās final.
In our interview we talk about reaching the final, Hayleyās journey and the shock of Ray being in last weekendās skate-off.
The Dancing On Ice final is taking place on Sunday and itās the last show ever. How are you feeling about it?
Iām really happy but Iām really sad at the same time because itās been 9 years of my life. Itās kind of like the chapter is closing for us and itās going to be a very emotional day on Sunday.
When we spoke to you at the start of the series you were coy about your chances of reaching the final. How do you feel now youāve actually made it?
We really are over the moon. It was our one wish that we were going to make the final. We really wanted to make the final but the competition has been so high this year because they brought back all the best skaters and all the champions. For us to make the finalā¦itās just been brilliant for us. Weāre not taking it for granted and weāre loving every second of it. Itās the last week now and the last few days, and weāre enjoying training. Weāre just throwing ourselves into it. Obviously thereās been a few injuries along the way. Last week I tore my bicep which was really and at one moment it was touch and go as to whether I could go into the show. Weāre just really thankful to be in the competition and that our bodies are holding up. Weāre trying new things and weāre going full out now for the final. Weāre just going to skate our best.
Iām really proud of Hayley because during the show she started off at a certain position on the leaderboard and sheās worked her way right up to the top. Last week getting four 10s for flying and two 10s in her main routine took her to the top of the leaderboard. She has had an amazing journey, if I dare use that word; thatās the only way you can describe the show really. It really is a journey and what a pleasant one itās been.
Ray Quinn ending up in the skate-off during the semi-final has proven that this show is really anyoneās to win now hasnāt it?
Yeah thatās right and thatās the interesting thing about the show. Iāve said from day one that itās going to twist and turn and it really has throughout the whole show. The whole series hasnāt been predictable and every week thereās been a twist to it or thereās been someone else at the top of the leaderboard. Itās been different every week and I think thatās what makes for an exciting show that itās not the same every week.
Last week was a shocker for Ray to be in the skate-off but obviously thereās no way of calling it ā itās what happens on the night. I think the final will be the same ā what happens on the night and who likes what the most. Itās down to the public vote on Sunday and whatever they enjoy most will take the crown.
During the semi-final Hayley finally silenced the judges who have criticised her technical skills throughout the competition. How satisfying was that?
It was very satisfying for me being the pro because Iāve worked Hayley so hard. You have to take on board what the judges say because they are there for a reason. We took on board what they said about the technical ability and Iāve worked her so hard. Sheās been game for trying loads of new steps and loads of new things. Sheās willing to learn and she wants to get better every week which is whatās made her get better. Iām very proud that sheās bettered her technical ability as well. We both love to perform together but now sheās delivering the technique as well and thatās brilliant. I think sheās got the whole package now.
Thereās something about Hayley that the audience at home loves and they are clearly connecting with her. Why do you think people are picking up the phones and supporting her?
I think that people can relate to her. She tries so hard and what we try and do together is put on a show. We try to entertain the public and we always put a story to our routines. We get so much support on Twitter and so much feedback from people saying they love what weāre doing and that spurs us on. Itās the support of the public thatās got us to where we are. Obviously weāve had to impress the judges week-on-week and take on their comments but itās been the public that have picked up the phone and enjoyed what weāre doing. I think we owe being in the final to them.
You mentioned earlier about the full marks you received for the flying performance last week. The judges were all in tears. What was it like getting such a strong reaction from them?
Itās very rewarding for us. We put a story to that routine and the song was beautiful by Ellie Goulding. Hayley and I play out a story really well together. Weāve known each other for a long, long time since we were 12. There are no boundaries. Thereās no āwe canāt get too close otherwise itāll look like weāre kissingā. We wanted to make it look like that because thatās the piece. We very much act the piece and I think thatās what the show is all about.
What can you tell us about the final this weekend?
Itās going to be a very exciting show. Everyone has chosen their favourite routine from any series that they are going to perform again. Then we have a showcase where youāre on the ice with other pros as well and you do a big show number. Weāve been rehearsing both of those a lot this week obviously. Everyone has also got to learn a Bolero. Out of the three couples in the final thereās only two that will get to perform their Bolero. Itās going to be disappointing for one of them not having the chance to skate it, however they have made the final. Everyone is a champion but weāre all hoping to skate the Bolero.
With so many routines to learn and only days away from the final, is it fair to say that this is the most gruelling week for you and Hayley?
Yeah without a doubt. Thereās no room for any kind of injuries, niggles, bruises or cuts. If you do have an injury youāve got to put them to one side and keep going. Thatās what me and Hayley are doing now. You canāt be held back by any injuries or aches and pains. This past week the schedule and the training has been the toughest because youāve got a lot to learn. Thereās a big opening too and theyāre bringing back every single contestant from this year. Thereās a big group number as well which is a lot to learn for the celebrities because thereās so much going on, especially if youāre in the final as well. There are going to be some other surprises happening on Sunday which I canāt tell you about but thereāll be some really cool things happening.
How is Hayley feeling about everything at this stage? Is she just focused on lifting that trophy and winning the series?
Sheās just 100% focused on giving her best performance. Weāve not gone near those thoughts because weāre just grateful to be in the final. All we want to do is go out and have a fantastic time on Sunday. Itās over to the public so whatever they enjoy the most, itāll be their decision.
Whatās been your favourite moment of dancing with Hayley again during this final series?
Thatās a really difficult question. Being back together after 4 years weāve had a really good time. For me the reaction we got from last week was brilliant. Our flying routine, every was talking about it and close to tears, then we went on to perform our Bugle Boy which was our pair number and to get two 10s in that was brilliant. That kind of reaction from the judges and the people at home was very special to me and Hayley. I think that probably the semi-final was our best week. That really sticks in my head.
What message do you have to the viewers that have been supporting you throughout the series?
Basically just a big thank you because without those people supporting us and picking up the phone and voting for us, we wouldnāt be where we are. Itās really down to them. The finalists were their choice and itās their choice who is crowned the champion. Those moments where there are injuries, when I tore my bicep, where Hayleyās had injuriesā¦the Twitter has always been mental. Twitter goes crazy with messages of support and people lifting your spirits. That kind of support means a lot to me and Hayley so weāre very grateful for it.
You said before youāre not really thinking about winning at this stage but surely there must be a thought in the back of your mind that if you win this, youāll be the ultimate Dancing On Ice professional?
Thatās really, really lovely and it would be very special for us. I just donāt want to go near it in our heads because weāve got so much work to do and the competition is so high. Itās really up to the public and whatever they choose we will be humble, enjoy the night and give the best skate we can. The three celebrities in the final are all amazing. Obviously I skated with Beth last year and she won the show with me. Iāve won with two of the finalists and itās really nice and rewarding feeling for me that Iāve taken two girls to the crown already. This last one could go any way but Iāll certainly enjoy the night because itās my last one.
The Dancing On Ice 2014 final is at 7pm on Sunday on ITV. Tune in to find out who will lift the crown. Watch Daniel and Hayleyās flying routine from last weekend: