Dancing On Ice semi-finalists explain the true meaning of their individual skates

The remaining five celebrity contestants on ITV’s Dancing On Ice share their hopes of reaching the final and talk about what individual skates mean to them

They turned and glided on their way to tonight’s Dancing On Ice semi-finals. And with the upcoming 9-week double elimination, there’s everything to play.

Tonight, the remaining five amazing celebrities will perform as a group, but without their professional counterparts. They then rejoin the pros for an individual skateboard with a song that has a special meaning to them.

Here, they tell the stories behind their individual skates and why they hope to make it to the finals.

Dancing On Ice, Sunday at 7:30pm on ITV and ITV hub

Kye Whyte, featuring Tippy Packard

He may have entered the skating competition last week, but Kye says he’s determined to put on a winning performance – especially since it’s his mother’s birthday.

The BMX Olympic silver medalist last September revealed that his mother Tracey was battling leukemia.

“I chose my personal skates for my mother,” he said. She is going through a difficult time at the moment.”

His solo performance will be set to Ben E King’s classic Stand By Me.

Since starring on the show, he says it has brought out his “inner performer”.

Kye, 22, added: “I would love to win. It would be great to have a trophy next to my Olympic medal.”

Brendan Cole, featuring Vanessa Bauer

Brendan has a cool head accustomed to putting pressure after years on Serious and insists he’s “not worried about what the rest of us are doing”.

But he hinted his personal performance – with Elvis Costello’s She – could see him happy because it’s a reminder of family.

Brendan, 45, said: “It’s a double song – it’s a song my dad loves. He couldn’t be at our wedding, but had the perfect moment when this song was sung for my wife, Zoe.

“The skate is also a tribute to her and the fact that I wouldn’t have been able to do this without her support. It’s lovely to bring something personal to the tape. I’m a bit worried about how it feels, especially with my wife in the audience with my daughter. ”

Kimberly Wyatt, featuring Mark Hanretty

The Pussycat Doll, the last remaining female celebrity, is hoping to impress the judges with an “Olympic lift” in an individual skating match against Mark.

Kimberly, 40, said: “It’s been incredibly difficult but I think that’s where we’re at, where you have to push yourself to do the impossible to really make your mark.”

She added: “It means the absolute world to be in the final. My kids, my family was there every step of the way and for them to see the mummy in the final, it will be a great memory for them.”

Her solo song, We Found Love by Rihanna, represents a time when she felt “really lost”.

“I’ll do my best to make sure there’s a girl in the final,” she insisted.

Regan Gascoigne, featuring Karina Manta

Regan was inspired by former DOI star Ray Quinn. “I always remember him doing the box jump,” he said. “I’m trying to do that.”

He revealed how he was “ready to go into the first week” and was still pinching himself.

Regan, 26, will play her solo skate in Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing.

He said, “The song is really dedicated to my mother because without her, I would have nothing. She is our biggest support, she is our rock. I’m always on the phone with her – in the morning on my way to the studio, while I’m here and after.

“I told her everything. Me, my brother and sister, we wouldn’t be who we are without her. “

If that doesn’t win the hearts of those who watch her, then nothing…

Connor Ball, featuring Alexandra Schauman

The Vamps star will have us all sobbing with Kleenex with his personal performance.

Connor, 25, has revealed that his own song, Boys Will Cry, is about men’s mental health. “I think people across Covid and the pandemic can hopefully relate to it. I know a lot of people who have had a hard time,” he said.

“That’s why I wanted to do it because I think people need to listen to these lyrics often.”

He also hopes to impress with a move he was unable to perform after dislocating his shoulder.

“It’s an elevator where Alex sits on my shoulder, which I personally am so excited to do as I’ve never had to do,” he said, adding: “I’m really proud of myself for taking part. into this.”