'Absolutely exquisite': Jorgie Porter already looking like the Dancing On Ice favourite as she gets the highest score of opening show

By Georgina Littlejohn
Last updated at 8:46 AM on 9th January 2012

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She's the youngest contestant on this year's show and was once told by her ballet teacher that she was too big to learn the dance properly.
But Jorgie Porter not only proved that she could dance as well as any ballerina tonight, but that she could also do it on ice too.
And her performance on the first show of the new series of Dancing On Ice not only gave her a score of 18.5, taking her straight to the top of the leaderboard, but she could very well be skating her way to winning the final.

Magical: Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter and her partner Matt Evers scored 18.5 points, giving them the highest score of the opening show of Dancing On Ice

The Hollyoaks actress, 24, looked petite and pretty as she came came on the ice in a light pink, her hair curled into soft waves and tied up from her face.
With professional partner Matt Evers, they danced a stunning routine to Skinny Love by Bon Iver, as she proved she was a natural on the ice.
And the judges agreed, giving her and Matt a high score of 18.5, with Louis Spence awarding her a six, Robin Cousins a 6.5 and Katarina Witt a six.

Going it alone: Jorgie opened the routine with a solo skate

Ballerina on ice: Jorgie perfected her leg lift as she spun round with Matt

As she came off the ice and spoke to presenters Phillip Schofield and Christine Bleakley and Olympic gold medallists and the show's mentors Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, she said she said she was pleased the routine was over.
She said: 'I don't remember a thing. Stepping off there, I felt a breath of relief.'
The judges had nothing but praise for the young actress with Louis Spence, who is making his debut as a judge on the show, telling her: 'It was a beautiful performance. The only thing I would say is that you need more eye contact with Matt - and why wouldn't you look at Matt!'
Katarina Witt, a German figure skater who has won two Olympic gold medals and is also making her debut as a judge on the show, said: 'Jorgie, it's really scary that his is the first show and look how well you skated! For me, you have added the first spark of magic to the night.'

Exquisite: Jorgie and Matt were told their performance was the best in any opening show of any series so far

Glad that's over: Jorgie said she didn't remember the routine and was feeling a sense of relief after it had finished

And returning judge Robin Cousins, himself a Olympic gold medallist, added: 'Exquisite, absolutely exquisite. Probably for me, it was the strongest routine of an opening show on any series so far. I was watching a rather breathtaking duet and it was lovely.'
There are 15 contestants in this series and tonight, seven of them made their debut on the ice, with the remaining eight showing off their newfound skills next weekend.
First on the ice tonight was Sugababe Heidi Range and her partner Andrei Lipanov, who was brought in to replace Sylvain Longchambon, who injured his bicep in rehearsals after six weeks of dancing with Heidi.

Elegant: Despite swithing partners so soon before the live shows, Heidi's routine with partner Andrei scored her 12.5 points

Setting a standard: Heidi and Andrei were the first contestants to take to the ice

She and Andrei were awarded 12.5 points after their routine which they danced to Katy Perry's E.T. with Heidi in a blueberry coloured dress.
The judges appeared to make allowances for the fact that Heidi had had to switch partners so soon before the live show and Robin said: 'It was very strong, very solid, you did a brilliant job, it was nicely put together.
Louis added, 'You have nice fluidity but when you came off the ice into the lift, your leg got a bit floppy, but overall it was a safe opening performance,' as Katarina added: 'You set a good standard but you have to keep trusting your partner and there's one thing you can trust is that a Russian man will always catch you.'

Red hot: It was Christine's Bleakley's first show but she conducted it as though she'd been doing it for years

More debuts: Apart from show veteran Robin Cousins (centre), Louis Spence and Katarina Witt are new to the judging panel

Up next was TV presenter Mark Rhodes, who admitted that he had no co-ordination and he really struggled in rehearsals, which was evident in his routine with partner Frankie, which only scored them an eight.
But despite their low scores, the judges tried to be kind with Katarina telling him: 'I'm happy that we didn't make you sick. I got a kick out of  your performance, but you have skates and they are supposed to give you speed, I really wanted to jump out and help push.'
Up next was former Dallas star Charlene Tilton and her partner Matt Gonzalez, who danced their routine to Guilty by Barbra Streisand and the Bee Gees.

Giving it his all: TV presenter Matt Rhodes admitted he had no co-ordination but said he had had fun

Disco dancing: Matt threw his fist in the air as he spun partner Frankie round

As she came off the ice, after being awarded 13 points, she admitted she was 'shaking like a leaf' but had had fun.
Katarina was a bit cheeky as she referred to the 53-year-old actress's age and said: 'I'm totally amazed at you being 150 years old and you looked so comfortable on the ice, i felt Matt had to keep grabbing on to you because you kept going off on your own, which was great.'
Louis said, 'The small ones pack a punch and that was small and punchy,' as Robin added: 'There you were having a ball, you are a gorgeous little bundle and you will be people's guilty pleasure.'

From Dallas to dancing: Former soap star Charlene Tilton took to the ice with her partner Matthew Gonzalez

Comfortable: Charlene was a natural on the ice and enjoyed every minute

Up next was alpine ski racer Chemmy Alcott, who was taking to the ice for the first time since she badly broke her leg in December 2010 while training for the World Cup downhill race in Canada.
Dancing to Raise Your Glass by P!nk, her and partner Sean Rice's energetic performance earned them 16 points - and even earned Chemmy a nickname for the show courtesy of Louis.
He said: 'It was exciting to watch, it was like a powerhouse, it was explosive and made my heart stop for a moment. Shimmy shaky Chemmy is one to look out for.'
Next it was the turn of Andy Akinwolere and his partner Maria Filippov who did their routine to Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera.

A powerhouse: Skier Chemmy Alcott was told her routine was partner Sean Rice was energetic and fun

Nickname: Louis has dubbed the blonde skier 'shimmy shaky Chemmy'

Andy admitted he had been worried about doing the aeroplane lift and said: 'You try and emulate pro skaters and I just wanted to do Maria proud.'
Louis said: 'The moves are there but are very sloppy, no control over them, no pulse. You have beautiful long limbs but no control over them.'
But Katarina said: 'Stay floppy. I think you are a natural, you were born with skates on, your turns are so smooth, i like what you do.'
But sadly, it was not meant to be for the couple who were voted off the show a couple of hours later after going head to head in the skate-off with Heidi and Andrei.

Corrie boy done good: Soap star Andy Whyment looked like he was having a great time as he took to the ice

Having a ball: Andy and his partner Vicky were saved and will be able to skate again

Last to perform tonight was Coronation Street star Andy Whymen, who plays Kirk Sutherland, and his partner Vicky Ogden.
They scored 12 points after their routine to Walk This Way by Run DMC and Aerosmith as Katarina told him: 'I think there is so much more potential that you have.'
Next weekend, the remaining eight contestants - Corey Feldman, Chico, Jennifer Ellison, Laila Morse, Sam Nixon, Matthew Wolfenden, Rosemary Conley and Sebastien Foucan - will get their chance to make their first impression.

Easy does it: Andy said he was worried about the bicycle lift but managed to pull it off with flair

Boogie nights: Andy threw himself into the dance after admitting he really liked the song