Sam Aston Crowned Winner of Dancing on Ice After Thrilling Finale

London, UK – Coronation Street actor Sam Aston and his professional skating partner Molly Lanaghan have been crowned champions of Dancing on Ice following a spectacular finale on Sunday night.

The pair’s triumph came after a public vote, edging out BBC Springwatch presenter Michaela Strachan and her partner Mark Hanretty, who finished as runners-up.

Former English footballer Anton Ferdinand and his partner Annette Dytrt claimed third place after losing the audience’s support in the final round.

Aston, 31, was visibly emotional upon hearing the results, covering his face with his hands as the announcement was made.

Reflecting on his journey through the competition, the actor described it as “such a journey, it’s a mad one,” expressing gratitude for the experience.

The final episode saw all three pairs performing showcase routines choreographed by former Olympic figure skaters Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill.

Aston and Lanaghan’s performance to The Pink Panther Theme earned praise from Dean, who told Aston, “Tonight, everything came together.” Dean commended the actor’s combination of skating skills, timing, and acting, adding, “I’m really proud of you.”

After Ferdinand and Dytrt were eliminated following the public vote, the competition narrowed to a head-to-head between Aston and Strachan.

Both pairs took on Torvill and Dean’s iconic Olympic gold medal-winning Bolero routine. Aston’s rendition was described as “brilliant” by Torvill, who praised the actor’s precision and artistry on the ice.

Strachan and her partner Hanretty delivered a heartfelt performance to Don’t Rain On My Parade, which moved judge Oti Mabuse.

“It really touched me,” Mabuse said. “The entire thing was absolutely beautiful.” The pair’s effort, however, was not enough to sway the public vote in their favour.

Ferdinand and Dytrt were the first to perform during the finale, earning a perfect score of 40 with their high-energy routine to Let’s Go Crazy by Prince and The Revolution.

The former footballer, who retired from professional play six years ago, reflected on the impact of the competition.

“When you retire from football, you lose a part of yourself,” Ferdinand admitted. “But the team behind [the show] have made me start to feel like myself again.”

Dean, who was involved in choreographing the showcase routines for all finalists, lauded the calibre of performances in the finale. “Your skating skills are always on show, but you had to have timing and acting,” he said, addressing Aston’s winning performance.

The conclusion of Dancing on Ice marks another successful season of the popular show, with Aston’s victory adding to its legacy. Fans and judges alike were left impressed by the finalists’ progress and the emotional high points of the competition.