Ice dancing vote cancelled (From This Is Local London)

Ice dancing vote cancelled

1:25am Monday 4th March 2013 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

The viewers' vote on Dancing On Ice has been cancelled as contestant Gareth Thomas was too ill to perform and had to withdraw.

The former rugby player had been sick and dizzy all week while performing flying moves on a harness.

This evening the muscle bound celebrity could only perform one of his two planned routines with partner Robin Johnstone.

Viewers wanting a refund for their phone vote were told to check the Dancing On Ice website later for details.

Thomas's withdrawal meant the three remaining celebrities - Eastenders actor Matt Lapinskas, boxer Luke Campbell and gymnast Beth Tweddle progress.

Lapinskas said of the poorly Thomas: "He is my brother and I love him to pieces."

Thomas, bursting out of his lycra dancing costume, scored 33.5 out of 40 for his first spin round the rink with Johnstone. Despite feeling sick, the Welshman finished his first dance, to Coldplay's Viva La Vida, and won praise from judge Ashley Roberts, the former Pussycat Doll, with her applauding his "transformation" during the course of the show.

Despite the encouragement, he left the stage unable to talk. He saw a doctor, and supported by his mother, the decision was taken to withdraw him from the competition.

Later, it was Lapinskas and his partner Brianne Delcourt who wowed the judges most. To Straighten up and Fly Right by Robbie Williams, the pair scored 39 out of 40.

And then they equalled that with their final dance, to Michael Jackson's Bad, which brought top marks from Jason Gardiner, the notoriously hard-to-please judge.