Dancing On Ice 2023: Who is the celebrity ice dance champion for 2023?

Chilly old January might seem like the hardest month of the year after the Christmas break, but if there's one consolation it's that every new year brings with it a new series of Dancing On Ice.

The 15th series of Dancing On Ice got under way on ITV on Sunday, 15 January, and this year's standard has been as high as ever. 11 celebrities pulled off spins, jumps and those dreaded headbangers before the final three went head to head to see who would be crowned Dancing On Ice champion 2023.

Find out who won Dancing On Ice series 15 and catch up with all those celebrities who pushed them all the way...

Who are the Dancing On Ice 2023 finalists?

Winner: Nile Wilson

Best known for: Winning Olympic bronze medal in gymnastics in 2016

Professional partner: Olivia Smart

Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson made history as he became the 2023 Dancing On Ice champion, becoming the first male celebrity to attempt a headbanger on the show.

The Rio 2016 silver medalist took part in the notorious move at the end of an athletic routine to the theme from Pirates of the Caribbean which also saw him perform a handstand on makeshift parallel bars held up by pro skaters and show off his pommel skills on a rinkside barrel.

The routine earned him the full 40 points from the judges before Nile and partner Olivia Smart - an Olympic skater - appropriately performed their take on Torvill and Dean's Bolero, made famous at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.

Despite topping the leaderboard in seven of his eight appearances on the programme, Nile was stunned when host Philip Schofield named him and Olivia as Dancing On Ice champions. 

"If Dancing On Ice has anything to say of entertainment, we’ve got 11 human beings all different shapes and sizes stood on this stage tonight with an allocated time to get good at something and we proved that we can do that," said Nile in his victory speech.

"What an inspirational show. If you put your mind to something and you work hard you can achieve anything you want."

Nile's professional skate partner Olivia Smart won on her Dancing on Ice debut. Alongside ice dance partner Adrian Diaz, Sheffield-born Olivia represented Spain at the 2022 Winter Olympics and in 2021 was a Skate Canada International bronze medalist. 

Runner-up: Joey Essex

Best known for: The Only Way is Essex cast member and reality TV veteran

Professional partner: Vanessa Bauer

Joey Essex's final routine on Dancing On Ice was skated to Ariana Grande's Zero to Hero, reflecting his transition from a celebrity who, Chris Dean reminded us, "couldn't stand up", to a confident skater who came within an ace of being named the winner of Dancing On Ice 2023.

But though naturally disappointed, the TOWIE star congratulated the winner, gymnast Nile Wilson, and remarked on how much he had enjoyed the experience.

"I’m so happy for Nile and Olivia. I missed a few steps but literally, the best time of my life, thank you, everyone," said Joey after the result was revealed.

Joey's professional partner Vanessa Bauer is the most decorated of the current crop of skaters on the show. Since winning with Jake Quickenden on her debut in 2018, the German skater has now finished second on no fewer than four occasions, alongside Wes Nelson, Perri Kiely, Brendan Cole and now Joey.

In fact, the only time Vanessa has failed to reach the final was in 2021, when both she and partner Joe-Warren Plant withdrew after contracting Covid-19. At that point the pair had received the highest scores every week they had skated. 

Third place: The Vivienne

Best known for: Winning the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK

Professional partner: Colin Grafton

The Vivienne was the first celebrity skater to be eliminated from the final, with the Welsh drag queen and pro skating partner Colin getting full marks for their opening skate to Katie Perry's Dark Horse but being denied a chance to show off their Bolero by the first public vote.

The first winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK later took to Twitter to congratulate winners Nile and Olivia and joke that not winning was a blessing in disguise.

"Well at least I can stay in bed and not have to put my face on for GMB," she wrote.

"What a night! Congratulations to Nile and Olivia, fantastic winner."

The Vivienne's professional partner Colin Grafton is making his competitive debut on Dancing On Ice, having been a support skater last year. 

Dancing On Ice 2023 celebrity line-up

Mollie Gallagher - Eliminated in Week 8

Best known for: Playing Nina Lucas in Coronation Street

Professional partner: Sylvain Longchambon

Actress Mollie Gallagher was the first of two celebrities to leave Dancing On Ice 2023 at the semi-final stage, falling agonisingly short of the final three and a chance to perform Bolero for Torvill and Dean.

Mollie picked up only two points in the semi-final's Solo Skate Battle and, when added to her 34-point mark for her and partner Sylvain Longchambon's skate to Evanescence's My Immortal, that left her bottom of the leaderboard. 

In the three-way skate-off with Siva Kaneswaran and Joey Essex, all four judges opted to save Joey and Vanessa. 

But after lasting eight weeks on the ice, the Coronation Street actress had no regrets. 

"I’ve actually achieved everything I wanted, I wanted to do my personal skate and I’ve done it. I’m so, so happy," she said.

Mollie's professional partner Sylvain Longchambon is returning to Dancing On Ice after a three-year absence, but may already be a familiar face to her as he is the husband of her Corrie co-star Samia Longchambon. Sylvain and Samia were partners on the 2013 series, had a son, Yves, in 2015 and married in 2016.

On his last appearance on Dancing on Ice, Sylvain partnered another Corrie star, Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby). In five series, however, he has yet to make the final, his best place being fifth with Samia. 

Dancing On Ice's romances: The couples who found love on the ice

Siva Kaneswaran - Eliminated in Week 8

Best known for: Singer with The Wanted

Professional partner: Klabera Komini

The Wanted singer Siva Kaneswaran joined Mollie in exiting the show at the semi-final stage. He scored three points in the Solo Skate Battle but combined with the 36 points awarded for an emotional skate to his band's tribute to singer Tom Parker, Gold Forever, he and partner Klabera finished 4th on the scoreboard and lost out in the three-way skate off to Joey Essex.

Siva had dedicated the performance to bandmate Tom, who died aged 33 in March 2022 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in October 2020.

"That skate was just honestly a dream. It was an absolute dream to perform for all of you for Tom for the family and friends. It's just one of those core memories that I am never going to forget," Siva said after skating to Gold Forever in front of Tom's widow Kelsey and their two young children.

"I am so happy and blessed I had a chance to do that in front of Kels and the kids. Honestly there is nothing better. I think it was a really good way to go and leave the competition.

"I wish all of the other contestants the best of luck. I am going to sleep for three days. 

"Klabera, thank you so much love you and appreciate you." 

Siva's professional skate partner Klabera Komini is taking part in the show for the second time. In 2021 she finished third with athlete and commentator Colin Jackson.

Carley Stenson - Eliminated in Week 7

Best known for: Playing Steph Cunningham in Hollyoaks

Professional partner: Mark Hanretty

Actress and singer Carley Stenson narrowly failed to make the semi-finals of Dancing on Ice 2023 as she and professional partner Mark Hanretty were eliminated with just two weeks of the competition to go.

And if her departure from the show in props week wasn't painful enough, Carley confirmed after the skate off that an injury that had plagued her all week had recurred during the final routine.

Halfway through her skate off to Celeste's Stop This Flame, Carley's shoulder popped out, putting her in enormous pain. Remarkably, she was able to pop it back in during the routine, but it proved to be her last performance on this year's Dancing On Ice.

After the skate off, and for the second week in a row, all four judges opted to save Siva Kaneswaran and his partner Klabera Komini. The Wanted singer had finished second last on the leaderboard, half a point behind Carley; Mollie Gallagher and Sylvain Longchambon came bottom of the judges scores but were saved by the public vote.

"I’ve really enjoyed it, this is all a bit of a blur right now, but I’ve really enjoyed it, thank you so much," said Carley after her departure was confirmed.

" I'm gonna miss this man," she added of her pro skater partner Mark.

Carly's professional skate partner Mark Hanretty has been a Dancing on Ice regular since 2011. He's finished third in two of the last three seasons - partnering Libby Clegg and Kimberley Wyatt.

Darren Harriott - Eliminated in Week 6

Best known for: Stand-up comedian

Professional partner: Tippy Packard

Stand-up comedian Darren Harriott became the fifth celebrity to be eliminated from Dancing On Ice 2023, skating off the show in Movie Week.

Darren and Tippy had finished bottom of the leaderboard after skating to Danger Zone from Top Gun, and were joined by Siva & Klabera, who were returning after a week off due to illness.

Darren repeated the skate which had saved him in Week 5 - Craig David & Sigala's Ain't Giving Up - but there was to be no repeat result as all four judges voted to save The Wanted singer Siva.

"I lasted a lot longer than I expected. I thought I’d be out before the show started," Darren joked when his elimination was confirmed.

"Honestly, thank you, thank you to everyone. I’ve never skated before Everyone’s been so nice, all the pros and all the celebs."

Darren's professional skate partner Tippy Packard is returning to Dancing on Ice for a second time after finishing eighth with Olympic BMXer Kye White on her debut last year.

Patsy Palmer - Eliminated in Week 5

Best known for: Playing Bianca Jackson in EastEnders

Professional partner: Matt Evers

Actress Patsy Palmer was the first celebrity skater to be revealed for Dancing On Ice 2023 in late 2022, but she became the fourth to leave the show five weeks into this series.

Patsy and parter Matt Evers chose the Spice Girls as their inspiration for Icons Week, but their entertaining routine to Spice Up Your Life - featuring Patsy in the Union Jack dress made famous by Geri Halliwell - failed to impress the judges and the pair finished bottom of the leaderboard with 26.5 points.

Ahead of them with 28.5 points were Darren Harriott and Tippy Packard, and after the public vote failed to save either couple from the skate off - Patsy's second in a row - all four judges opted to save comedian Darren.

"I met the best people ever, we’ve been like one big family. Matt is amazing," said Patsy after her elimination was confirmed. 

"I’ve proved that I can do it and I've exceeded what I thought I can do."

Evers paid tribute to the hard work his celebrity partner had put in. "When I first met Pasty on the ice, I was like, “Whoa this is going to be a tough one,” but I am so proud of what she’s accomplished," he said.

Patsy's professional skate partner Matt Evers is Mr Dancing On Ice. Former US Junior Champion Matt has competed in every season of the show since the very first series in 2006, when and Bonnie Langford finished in third place.

He has since won alongside Suzanne Shaw and finished twice with Jorgie Porter and Faye Brookes - stepping in to partner actress Faye to silver after her original partner Hamish Gaman had pulled out injured with three weeks of the competition to go. Matt was also one half of the show's historic first all-male couple, skating with Ian 'H' Watkins in 2020.

Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu - Eliminated in Week 4

Best known for: Winning Love Island 2022 with Davide Saclimenti

Professional partner: Brendyn Hatfield

In an emotional night on the Dancing On Ice rink, Ekin-Su and Brendyn became the third couple to leave this year's competition. After a steamy routine to disco classic Car Wash which ended with both Ekin-Su's boyfriend Davide making a shirtless appearance on the ice, the pair were placed bottom of the leaderboard with 23 points and found themselves in the skate-off with the next-lowest pair, Patsy Palmer and Matt Evers. 

After their skate-off, all four judges chose to save Patsy, who had danced to Noisettes' Never Forget You. Ekin-Su's skate-off song, Ariana Grande's No Tears Left to Cry, was misplaced as both celebrities sobbed their way off the ice for very different reasons.

"You put so much time… all the other work commitments I had, this was my priority, and I really gave everything to it," said a tearful Ekin-Su as her elimination was confirmed.

"I love it, I fell in love with the ice."

Ekin-Su's professional partner Brendyn Hatfield was appearing on Dancing On Ice for the fourth time. His best result came in 2021, when he partnered rapper Lady Leshurr to a fourth-place finish.

Michelle Heaton - Eliminated in Week 3

Best known for: Being a member of pop group Liberty X

Professional partner: Łukasz Różycki

Michelle and Łukasz were the second couple to be eliminated from Dancing On Ice 2023.

The pair finished bottom of the leaderboard both time they skated, but while the public vote kept them out of the skate-off in week 2, there was to be no reprieve in week 3's musicals week.

In a twist to the usual format, the couple with the lowest combined judges' score and public vote would be eliminated, and after their skate to All That Jazz from the musical Chicago left them with just 20 points - half a point behind Patsy Palmer who fell during her dance with Matt Evers - the public vote couldn't save them from elimination.

"I’m just really gutted," Michelle said when her exit from the ice was confirmed.

"I’ve loved every second of it and I loved everything that I just did there."

Michelle's professional partner Łukasz Różycki is a Dancing on Ice veteran of seven series. The Polish skater, who is married to fellow DoI pro Alexandra Schauman, has yet to win the series, coming third with Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle in 2014. He does hold one unenviable record however - Łukasz has been the first skater eliminated on no fewer than three occasions!

John Fashanu - Eliminated in Week 2

Best known for: FA Cup-winning footballer and Gladiators presenter

Professional partner: Alexandra Schauman

John and Alexandra were the first couple to be eliminated from Dancing On Ice 2023.

The pair made their DoI debut in week 2 of this series and after finishing bottom of the leaderboard on 19 points with a football-themed skate to Collapsed Lung's Eat My Goal, faced Ekin-Su and Brendyn in the skate-off. 

All four judges opted to save the Love Island winner and her partner.

The 1988 FA Cup winner compared his Dancing On Ice experience to that famous day at Wembley. "It has been wonderful. FA Cup final again," he told hosts Holly and Phil.

"I shall carry on skating and who knows, I might even start teaching people.”

John's professional partner Alexandra Schauman is the longest serving female pro on Dancing On Ice. The Finnish skater made her debut alongside Dr Hilary Jones in 2010 and after partnering Todd Carty in 2014's all-star series, returned in 2019 to triumph with former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan. She is married to fellow DoI pro skater Łukasz Różycki.

Who are the Dancing On Ice 2023 judges?

The Dancing On Ice judging panel is staying the same for series 15, with Oti Mabuse once again taking her place alongside Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean and Ashley Banjo.

Two-time Strictly winner Oti brought her dance expertise to the panel last year and was an instant success.

Ashley, leader of BGT-winning street dance groupe Diversity, has been a judge since the show returned after a four-year break in 2018. 

Olympic gold medal ice dancers Jayne and Chris, of course, have appeared on all 14 series of the show to date, having acted as coaches and mentors to the celebrities for the first nine series from 2006 to 2014.

Who are the Dancing On Ice presenters?

Holly Willoughby and Philip Scofield are returning to host the 15th series of Dancing On Ice. Phil has appeared on all 14 series since 2006, while original host Holly presented the first six series before handing over to Christine Bleakley - now Christine Lampard - for the last three series of the original run.

Last season saw another host join the show temporarily when Stephen Mulhern joined his former kids' TV colleague Holly at rink-side for a week after Phil was forced to self-isolate following a positive Covid test. It wasn't the first time there'd been an unexpected change of host - back in 2011, former contestant Coleen Nolan had stood in for Holly when she fell ill with a migraine. 

Who are the previous Dancing On Ice champions?

Dancing On Ice has crowned 13 different champions across its 14-series run. Singer Ray Quinn is the only celebrity to triumph twice, as he won 2014's All-Stars series five years after his first win. Here is the Dancing On Ice roll of honour.

• Series 1 - 2006 - Gaynor Faye and Daniel Whiston
• Series 2 - 2007 - Kyran Bracken and Melanie Lambert
• Series 3 - 2008 - Suzanne Shaw and Matt Evers
• Series 4 - 2009 - Ray Quinn and Maria Filippov
• Series 5 - 2010 - Hayley Tamaddon and Daniel Whiston
• Series 6 - 2011 - Sam Attwater and Brianne Delcourt
• Series 7 - 2012 - Matthew Wolfenden and Nina Ulanova
• Series 8 - 2013 - Beth Tweddle and Daniel Whiston
• Series 9 - 2014 - Ray Quinn and Maria Filippov
• Series 10 - 2018 - Jake Quickenden and Vanessa Bauer
• Series 11 - 2019 - James Jordan and Alexandra Schauman
• Series 12 - 2020 - Joe Swash and Alex Murphy
• Series 13 - 2021 - Sonny Jay and Angela Egan
• Series 14 - 2022 - Regan Gascoigne (above) and Karina Manta

When is Dancing On Ice back on TV?

Watch the final of Dancing On Ice on ITV and ITVX at 6.30pm on Sunday 12 March.