Dancing on Ice 2019: Holly Willoughby 'CUTS OFF' Christopher Dean before 'verbal sparring'

Dancing on Ice saw a double-elimination this evening. As celebrity contestants and their professional skating partners made a bid to save their place in the competition, Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield were on hand to handle their introductions to the rink. And, following their performances, the ITV presenters welcomed competitors to the side of the ice panel, as judges delivered their feedback. And, with the stakes at an all-time high in the series, what did the hosts’ body language reveal?

According to body language expert Judi James, the pair have developed a routine over the years, which has seen them take on different types of roles as presenters.

“There is a certain air of pre-planned choreography from these two, who seem to take it in turns to interview contestants with Holly doing ‘good cop’ to Phil’s subtle ‘bad cop’ routine,” she told Express.co.uk.

“It was Phil whose two eyebrow shrugs and gleaming, glinting eye expression and grin who registered utter delight and appreciation for the fact the competition is now ‘hotting up’.

“Meanwhile Holly signals empathy and sympathy by raising one eyebrow at the thought of all the risky-sounding steps the celebs would be trying to perform.”

However, as Christopher Dean went to share a critical comment about contestant Melody Thornton’s performance this evening, Holly seemed to rush in to take a stand.

“When Christopher was giving critical comments to a tearful Melody it did sound as though Holly cut him off to offer support and encouragement instead,” Judi explained.

“And, when the pair did some verbal sparring with Torvill and Dean it was Holly standing with her hands on her hips in a gesture of dominance and possible anger while Phil stood with his lips sucked in, taking a less active role.”

Elsewhere in tonight’s show, skating duo Torvill and Dean – Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean – could have unveiled a hint about who may win this year’s series.

It came as Judi picked up on the pair’s “unified body language signals”, upon seeing the performance by Wes Nelson and Vanessa Bauer.

“He clearly ticks all the boxes for both Jayne and Chris and both were seen applauding him to signal respect and delight as the work he had put in paid off,” she said.

Tonight’s instalment was a double elimination, with Ryan Sidebottom and Brandee Malto, as well as Jane Danson and Sylvain Longchambon, being voted off.

Holly and Philip seemed to face a rather awkward dilemma on the show last week.

After encountering several incidents involving now-former contestant Gemma Collins, Judi claimed the duo seemed unsure about how to respond to the 38-year-old.

“With all Gemma’s dramas dominating this show Holly & Phil’s body language suggests they’re still not quite sure how to respond to her,” she told Express.co.uk.

“Do they join in the panto like Jason, attracting potential displeasure from the GC and her fans, or do they show sympathy and encouragement in the style of a pair of agony aunties?”

Dancing on Ice airs Sundays on ITV from 6pm.

source: express.co.uk