DANCING On Ice star Vanessa Bauer was forced to chop off her hair seconds before skating in last night’s launch show to avoid a horror accident in the opening routine.
The German pro, who is partnered with ex-Towie star Joey Essex, nearly got her long hair tangled in fellow pro Sylvain Longchambon’s skate while doing a daring move in rehearsals.
Vanessa Bauer had a hair emergency on last night’s Dancing On Ice
Dan Whiston plays a vital role in preparing routines for celebs and pros
Last night’s show kicked off with a bang
It prompted a last minute scramble to lop off her ponytail so that she didn’t suffer a painful injury in the opening routine.
Dan Whiston, the show’s Associate Creative Director, told us: “Just hours before we went live, rehearsals were shattered when one of our professional skaters smashed a mirror with their blade and another dancer put their foot through the set while rehearsing our dynamic opening routine.
“Just when we thought we had sorted out our set issues for the opening number, seconds before we were about to go live for the show, professional skater Vanessa Bauer had to have an emergency haircut, by the side of the ice.
“The hair team had to cut her long ponytail as it nearly caught under Sylvain’s skates when performing their upside-down spin. But when it was lights, camera, action, the team delivered a show-stopping performance.”
There was no let-up for Vanessa who had to immediately return to the ice after the launch routine to perform her first televised skate with Joey.
The pair had a tough week ahead of launch night, with some nasty rehearsal falls, but it all came together when it mattered.
Dan said: “He delivered a reem performance skating the best I’ve ever seen him skate after a week of unexpected falls.”
The three-time show winner then gave his assessment of the remaining week one celebs.
He said: “Patsy gave a dramatic performance and Siva left us wanting more, while Michelle started the routine flying high but suffered a few opening night nerves. It was so hard to see Michelle get upset during the judges comments as she has overcome so much and has worked so hard.
“Despite being ill earlier this week Ekin-Su reminded the nation how she wooed Davide as she delivered the raciest celebrity performance we have seen in some time.
“She scored really well so I was surprised to see her in the skate off.
“Ekin received a surprise backstage visit from Davide just before the show started where he gave her a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a good luck kiss.”
Bookies’ favourite Nile Wilson closed the show with a very impressive and assured performance, and Dan has teased big things are yet to come from the gymnast.
He said: “Closing the show with a medal winning performance, Nile and our new professional skater Olivia delivered an action-packed routine which saw them volt to the top of the leader board.
“We are working on some new and exciting tricks with Nile and Olivia which will see them bring things to the ice which have never been attempted before.”
The pressure is now very much on the second batch of stars who will take to the ice for the first time on Sunday.
Dancing On Ice returns airs on ITV at 6.30pm on Sundays
Vanessa’s long hair caused problems in rehearsals
Joey and Vanessa delivered an impressive first performance
