Maura Higgins became overcome with emotion as she became the sixth celebrity eliminated on Dancing On Ice on Sunday.
The Love Island star, 29, and her skating partner Alexander Demetriou got the lowest score of the evening from the judges, receiving 30 points out of 40.
The pair landed in the dreaded dance-off with Paralympic sprinter Libby Clegg and her skating partner Mark Hanretty, with the judges divided on who should stay.
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Sent home: Maura Higgins, 29, became overcome with emotion as she became the sixth celebrity eliminated on Dancing On Ice on Sunday
Ashley Banjo and John Barrowman both voted to save Maura and Alexander while Jayne Torvill felt Libby and Mark delivered the stronger performance.
The decision on who should be sent home from the competition then came down to head judge Christopher Dean who decided to save Libby and Mark.
Speaking to presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby after her elimination, Maura admitted she was saddened her time on the show had come to an end.
‘I really did want to stay,’ she said, before she began to tear up, with Alexander comforting her.
Result: The Love Island star, 29, and her skating partner Alexander Demetriou got the lowest score of the evening from the judges, receiving 30 points out of 40
Emotional: ‘I really did want to stay,’ Maura told Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby as she was comforted by Alexander
Confidence: Maura also revealed she had been struggling with her confidence on the ice during the week as viewers saw her have an emotional video chat with her mother Sharon
Family: Maura’s mother told her: ‘You’re doing fabulous. Don’t get upset because you’ll make me cry too, you’re one in a million’
The skater was full of praise for the Irish beauty, telling Phillip and Holly: ‘This girl is one of the greatest women I’ve ever met. She’s genuine, she’s everything.’
Speaking after her performance, Maura acknowledged she had made a few stumbles during the dance.
She said: ‘What can you say? I did have a few stumbles there, I couldn’t get my balance at one stage. I feel OK.’
Maura also revealed she had been struggling with her confidence on the ice during the week as viewers saw her have an emotional video chat with her mother Sharon.
Upset over the judges scores the previous week, where she had again received 30 points out of 40, Maura told her mother: ‘I’v no confidence’.
Disappointed: The pair landed in the dreaded dance-off with Paralympic sprinter Libby Clegg and her skating partner Mark Hanretty, with the judges divided on who should stay
Verdict: Ashley Banjo and John Barrowman both voted to save Maura and Alexander while Jayne Torvill felt Libby and Mark delivered the stronger performance
Upset: Maura and Alex embraced and were comforted by their co-stars following their elimination
But her mother reassured her she had done brilliantly, saying: ‘For a girl who has never done anything like this, you can be proud of yourself, hold your chin up high.
‘You’re doing fabulous. Don’t get upset because you’ll make me cry too, you’re one in a million.’
Sunday’s episode was Prop’s week, with each couple having to use a prop during their performance, with Maura and Alexander dancing with a broom.
Libby and Mark opened the show and received a score of 33.5, receiving 8.5s from three judges and an 8 from Christopher.
The sports star told Phillip and Holly she had an injury during rehearsals after hurting her chin with one of the props.
Impressive: Libby and Mark made it through to next week after Christopher was impressed with their dance-off performance
Score: Libby and Mark opened the show and received a score of 33.5, receiving 8.5s from three judges and an 8 from Christopher
Success: Next up were Joe Swash and Alex Murphy who danced with a candy cane stick and received 34 points out of 40, the highest score for the actor all series
Tribute: After his performance, Joe paid tribute to his friend and former colleague Caroline Flack, who took her own life on Saturday
Her skating partner Mark praised her, saying: ‘Nothing seems to phase Livia, she has no limitations whatsoever.’
Next up were Joe Swash and Alex Murphy who danced with a candy cane stick and received 34 points out of 40, the highest score for the actor all series.
After his performance, Joe paid tribute to his friend and former colleague Caroline Flack, who took her own life on Saturday.
The presenter admitted it had been a ‘tough day’ preparing for his routine after learning of her death.
Professional skate partner Alex added: ‘It was really hard to do this and do a happy number when he feels like this so I’m really proud of him.’
Headbanger: Following Joe and Alex’s turn on the ice came Maura and Alexander who were then followed by Ben Hanlin and Carlotta Edwards
Woops: Next up were Lisa George and Tom Naylor who suffered a slip up when Lisa fell out of her chair
With wife Stacey Solomon supporting her husband from the studio audience, he said: ‘I just want to send my love to her family and my condolences.’
Following Joe and Alex’s turn on the ice came Maura and Alexander who were then followed by Ben Hanlin and Carlotta Edwards.
The pair, whose prop was an umbrella, delivered a stellar performance and received their best score of the series with 36 out of 40.
Ashley was full of praise for the couple, telling Ben: ‘You made that look effortless. You’ve improved so much and it’s really exciting.’
Next up were Lisa George and Tom Naylor who performed their routine with a chair. and received 31.5 points.
Showstopping: Perri Kiely and Vanessa Bauer delivered the final performance of the night where they were tasked with skating alongside a shopping trolley
The duo delivered a strong performance until Lisa slipped onto her knees while getting on the chair and later almost fell off it when she tucked it under a table.
Chris said: ‘It kind of killed the moment Lisa, I have to say. It was great to see you skating again, this style suits you, just stay off your knees.’
Perri Kiely and Vanessa Bauer delivered the final performance of the night where they were tasked with skating alongside a shopping trolley.
The pair received 38 points, the highest score of the night and the same score they received last week.
Phillip and Holly opened this week’s show by paying tribute to Caroline.
Statement: Phillip and Holly opened this week’s show by paying tribute to Caroline in the wake of her passing (pictured in November 2019)
In an emotional opening preamble, a visibly devastated Phillip choked back tears while remembering Caroline, whose death at the age of 40 was confirmed on Saturday.
He began: ‘We’d like to begin tonight’s show by taking a moment to remember Caroline Flack in light of yesterday’s awful news. We wanted to say that our hearts go out to her family and friends.’
Taking over from her co-host, Holly referred to one of Caroline’s recent Instagram posts, adding: ‘Many of us on the show knew Caroline as a friend and we’ll all miss her enormously.
As Caroline recently posted, In a world where you can be anything, be kind.’
Dancing On Ice continues on Sunday at 6pm on ITV.
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org
Phillip said: ‘We’d like to begin tonight’s show by taking a moment to remember Caroline Flack in light of yesterday’s awful news. We wanted to say that our hearts go out to her family and friends’