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Ice to see you Gareth!

16/ 5/2008

COULD Metro News’ Kate Stirrup keep her cool as a dancing on ice judge? ...

I COULD get used to this, I thought, after being asked for my autograph by a starry-eyed child.

I’d just spent the evening being a guest judge at Dancing on Ice Live! at the MEN Arena – the touring version of the smash-hit ITV show that sees celebs being turned into graceful ice dancing stars.

Being a bit of an expert on reality TV shows I jumped at the chance to be part of the Dancing on Ice experience – but that’s not to say I wasn’t terrified of making an idiot of myself in front of a live audience of thousands.

What if I got the scoring horribly wrong? Even more scary was the thought of meeting the show’s resident Mr Nasty, choreographer/style guru Jason Gardiner. Imagine the shame if he ripped me to shreds in one of those infamous ice panel disagreements – or even worse, poured scorn on my outfit.

But us journalists have to be brave sometimes, so before I knew it I was being ushered into the depths of the MEN Arena. I was met by one of the backstage crew, and given a quick run-down on what was in store for me that evening, and shown how to use the voting keypad.

Then I was miked up (how self conscious did I feel, with one of those pop star-style radio mikes taped to my cheek?) and left to compose myself in the canteen.

But it’s hard to appear nonchalant and cool with famous faces like Linda Lusadi and Suzanne Shaw rushing past in pink bathrobes.

It was then time for hair and make-up (orange men in sequins kept rushing up and liberally blasting themselves with hairspray) and I found myself sat next to the very lovely Bonnie Langford. We had a chat about a recent John Barrowman concert I had attended before I was whisked off to meet my fellow judges.

Before I knew it host Andi Peters was introducing me to the crowd and on I went, trying not appear dazzled by the lights or scared by the screams of the audience. First plus of the night was not falling over en-route to the ice panel desk, and second was realising what an amazing view I had.

I was sat next to judge Nicky Slater (the nice one!) who asked me how I was feeling and gave me lots of tips and encouragement.

He told me that he and the other judges were there to look at the technical side of the routines, whereas I was supposed to be the voice of the crowd.

The format was the same as on TV. A celebrity and their professional partner skate, then Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have a say, and then us judges give our scores and comments.

Up first was Bonnie and her partner Pavel. They did an amazing routine to Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now, that I awarded a 5.5.

Andi asked my opinion, and I said the pair were great and made a very dramatic partnership as they are so different in heights. Phew. No boos.

My first 6.0 of the night (I also gave one to Suzanne Shaw) went to ex-rugby star Keiran Bracken, who has turned into a brilliant skater. His routine included his trademark body-popping, and I was glad to see a couple of other judges also gave maximum points.

Andi also asked my opinion of ex-Pop Idol star Gareth Gates’ performance, to Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer. Fantastic, I loved Mr Gates in Pop Idol, and spent a fortune voting for him.

I said "One of my favourite songs, and you did it justice with that routine. It was pure rock ‘n’ roll and I loved it."

I didn’t get through unscathed however. I "only" gave Chris Fountain a 5.5 (as did a number of other judges I hasten to add) and I got roundly booed, but won the audience back with my comment when I said ‘the crowd certainly loved that performance’ – cue cheers – ‘and I did too’.

And I even got to witness close up one of those famous ice panel spats. Jason said Linda Lusadi was clinging to her skating partner "like a barnacle" which Nicky took exception to.

The second half gave me a bit of a breather when I just got to sit at the side and watch the exhibition dances, then it was back on stage to crown the night’s winner.

Chris and Suzanne danced the Bolero in the skate-off, and I voted for Suzanne to be the champion – a majority of the other judges agreed – and then after a quick (and embarrassing) finale boogie (I didn’t know the moves and had to awkwardly copy the other judges) the show was over.

After a chat with the lovely Andi Peters it was back to my car and reality. But what do you know? I was getting recognised.

"That’s one of the judges" I could hear people muttering. A group of teenagers shouted "Kate, Kate" and waved at me!

And then the best bit of the night. A little boy and his mum stopped me and asked me to sign his programme.

Yes! Fame at last. Felt a bit guilty for defacing his programme with my worthless signature, but he seemed really made up with it!

And do you know what, that moment made my night (ok, my year) too!