‘It was right time to go,’ says Sir Steve after judge’s vote

SIR Steve Redgrave ended his final week on ITV’s Dancing on Ice on a high, scoring his best score from the judges of the competition.

For the third week of the celebrity skating competition, which was themed “My Song” and based on a personal story, Sir Steve celebrated his achievements winning five Olympic rowing gold medals.

Dressed in a white V-neck shirt with blue, red and gold stripes, paired with matching knee-length shorts, Sir Steve and professional dance partner Vicky Ogden skated to Bon Jovi’s It’s My Life.

Two skaters carrying Union flags skated circles around Sir Steve before Vicky skated towards him and performed two twirls. They crossed their arms in front of themselves and held hands before Steve lifted Vicky across his body and placed her on his other side.

He then twirled her twice around before she let go and performed two twirls individually. They skated with joined hands crossed across their bodies before Vicky lunged to the floor and turned to face Sir Steve.

They both pumped their fists in the air twice along with the beat of the song and then skated across the ice facing one another, with Vicky skating backwards, and hands held.

They then released hands and skated individually alongside each other before grabbing opposite hands and skating in a circle facing each other.

Facing the audience, they performed “air guitar” before he lifted Vicky across his body again. She then skated behind him and he reached between his legs to pull her through so she was in front of him.

The pair skated across the ice with arms locked before Sir Steve lifted Vicky in front of him while still in motion while finishing the routine by fist-pumping the air.

The judging panel awarded Sir Steve and Ms Ogden 21.5, their highest score.

Judge Oti Mabuse said: “There’s something about you that each time we see you you’re getting better and better.”

Host Holly Willoughby said to Sir Steve: “You and those little shorts should be very proud of yourselves.”

However, Sir Steve again received the lowest score of the competitors for the third week in a row but was not saved by the audience vote.

The former chairman of Henley Royal Regatta said that while he was disappointed, he believed the time was right for him to leave.

He said: “I’m a bit disappointed but it was the right decision by the judges. Every week you get through, you know you’re knocking somebody out who is a better skater and being a sports person that’s really difficult to deal with.

“The public keeping me in for the past two weeks has been amazing as I try to learn a new skill at the age I am, and I thank all of them dearly for that.”

Sir Steve said that he was happy with his final performance, in which he skated individually, without the support of his partner, for the first time.

He said: “There were a lot more complicated moves in it than I had been doing previously but I was very happy with the routine. I don’t think I could have delivered it any better with the skills that I’ve got. I said to Vicky afterwards, if that’s our last skate, I’m pleased with the way we performed.”

Sir Steve, 62, said that coaches had been cautious about what moves would be safe for him to attempt and had to consider factors such as his age and various illnesses and injuries he’s had.

He said: “Their first priority is to make sure that you’re safe and you’re not injuring yourself or the person who you’re dancing with. You’re given routines that are suited to your skating skills.”

Sir Steve said that he has enjoyed making new friends and pushing himself to compete.

He said: “You have confidence in your own self of the character you are and what you can and can’t do, and I just enjoyed pushing myself a little bit out of my comfort zone to where I had been before.

“I can’t see myself continuing to ice skate but my granddaughter Amelia, who is 18 months, I would love to, when she gets a little bit older, teach her skating and skiing.

“I think I’ve probably got enough skill level to try and do a little bit of that but I think very quickly she’ll be a lot better than me and she’ll be teaching me things.”

He added: “My goal for the show in some ways was not to go out in round one, even though my skating ability probably deserved me going out in round one, but it was great having such support and encouragement.”