First star leaves DOI

Ice skating dream is over for one celebrity...

11:35 09 January 2012

Andy Akinwolere has become the first celebrity to be voted off this year's series of Dancing on Ice. 

The former Blue Peter presenter was eliminated by the panel after coming bottom two in the skate-off alongside Sugababes singer Heidi Range, when judges' scores and public votes were combined.

Dallas actress Charlene Tilton, Mark Rhodes, Chemmy Alcott and soap stars Jorgie Porter and Andy Whyment were all granted spots in the the next stage of the competition. 

In the vote, Louis Spence backed Range saying she gave the "more refined and polished" performance, but Katarina Witt saved Akinwolere after being impressed with his routine.

The deciding vote went down to Robin Cousins, who opted to save Range. He quipped: "I like a little sugar with my babe."

After the results, Akinwolere told hosts Phillip Schofield and Christine Bleakley:

"I'm gutted actually, really gutted. We put so much into that, but it's cool."

His skating partner Maria Filippov added:

"It was sweet and short, but I loved every minute of it. I'm really gutted that we couldn't show more."

The remaining eight celebrities will skate for the first time on Sunday at 6.30pm on ITV1 when Dancing on Ice returns.