Sobbing Nile Wilson is crowned the WINNER of Dancing On Ice 2023

Nile Wilson has been crowned the winner of Dancing On Ice 2023, beating out Joey Essex and The Vivienne in the grand final.

The Olympian, 27, broke down in tears as he joined his professional partner Olivia Smart lifting the glittering trophy, after wowing viewers with his jaw-dropping version of the iconic Bolero skate. 

After over a million votes were received by the British public, presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield congratulated the winners alongside judges Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean. 

Getting emotional, Nile said: 'I want to thank everyone that voted back home, I really appreciate it.' 

'I just want to say, if Dancing on Ice is anything other than entertainment, we've got eleven human beings all different shapes and sizes stood on this stage tonight with an allocated time to get good at something and we've proved that we can do that.

'So what an inspirational show! If you put your mind to something and you work hard you can achieve anything you want.'

Runner-up Joey added: 'I missed a few steps but it was the best time of my life, well done to Nile and Olivia' 

Nile follows in the footsteps of last year's winner Regan Gascoigne, who won Dancing On Ice 2022 alongside his partner Karina Manta.

The Vivienne and Colin Grafton came in third place during the final - leaving Nile and Joey skating the iconic Bolero.

Nile was up first with an elegant performance and said at the end: 'I can't believe I got emotional'.

Joey then took to the ice and gave an emotional performance, with judge Chris saying: 'You have come so far' but pointed out a few missteps.

While Nile made history as the first male contestant to perform the headbanger during the grand final.

He was given the maximum amount of points for the show-stopping routine with judges, Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Jayne Torvill and Chris Dean all scoring him 10.

The headbanger, or the bounce spin, sees a skater picked up their ankle and spun round by their partner.

Due to the potential danger, the move is actually banned by the International Skating Union (ISU), which governs competitive skating.

Performing the move at an ISU event will see points deducted by the judges, but it can be used in routines for exhibition or show skating.

Speaking ahead of his routine Nile said: 'There's going to be eight other professionals on the ice and it very very intimidating. I need to blend in with them and not stand out.'

'A hell of a lot can go wrong in this routine, it's the biggest challenge I have ever attempted on this show!'

Commenting on the routine, Ashley said: 'After the week I know you'v e had, to pull that routine off cleanly with no mistakes is incredible'

Oti said: 'The passion, the thrill, the way you push yourself every week, this performance was worthy of a 10'

The Vivienne was up next with a jam-packed routine, which they skated to Katy Perry's Dark Horse, and scored a massive 40 points with partner Colin.  

After smashing the performance, the Drag Queen said: 'I will remember this for the rest of my life!'

Oti said: 'For me, I've always thought you are a great performer but there's something so special about you, thank you for showing us power and control.'

Chris added: 'It was so nice to see it come together tonight, it was so strong, well done'. 

Joey Essex transformed into Hercules for his showcase skate with professional partner and beau Vanessa. 

Like Nile and The Vivienne, the pair also got tens across the board and were praised by the judges.

'I have had the time of my life this has been the best experience. I have enjoyed every single day. It couldn't have gone any better,' Joey gushed after his performance.

'I'm so proud of you bro, I really hope people can get behind you,' Judge Ashley Banjo admitted.

Christopher Dean added: 'It really was from zero to hero tonight!'

Tonight's three couples then took to the rink together to battle it out to remain in the competition - with only two couples making it through to perform the Bolero. 

The 2023 line-up then returned to the rink but as Holly and Phil introduced them there was an awkward pause before Phil listened into his earpiece and announced that somebody wasn't ready.

Holly, 42, giggled as she and Philip, 60, joked that someone 'hadn't laced up their boots'.

The awkward incident began with Phillip telling the audience: 'This year's couples have all played a huge part so please welcome back our 2023 skating stars and their partners.'

Next the camera turned to an empty ice rink only to cut back to the confused hosts seconds later.

Ever the professional Phillip then said: 'They'll be here in just a second. Apparently somebody is not ready.'

While Holly, touching her earpiece for an update, joked: 'Has somebody got nerves? Can we shame someone for this, can we name them? Oh we've got them now.'

After a moments and the This Morning pair giggling like naughty schoolchildren the celebs finally appeared with Phillip declaring: 'All things are worth waiting for.'

The grand final saw the finalists and their pro partners perform three routines - a showcase routine, a battle skate and for the final two, a Boléro. 

Head judges and ice legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will choreograph the showcase routines, with the pair no doubt having high expectations of Nile as he takes on the show-stopping move. 

Presenter Holly Willoughby looked incredible in a dazzling silver gown by Sophie Couture as she introduced the finalists alongside co-host Phillip Schofield. 

Dancing On Ice viewers slammed the show's 'unfair' voting rules during Sunday's grand final.

Racing to Twitter viewers were quick to brand the show just a 'popularity contest' after lines opened before any of the finalists had even skated.

One frustrated fan wrote: 'How can people be asked to vote (at a cost) when nobody has skated yet?'.

While another added: 'The skating is pointless if you can vote already. Its just a popularity contest'.

A third said:'Why is the #DancingOnIce vote open before the contestants have even started? Are they not even pretending they want a fair competition rather than a popularity contest?'.

While another added: 'DancingOnIce what is the point of anyone skating if we can vote before they skate? Just goes to show it's a popularity contest not a skating contest'.