/ Eliot Pollak / 09 March 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Could Laura sneak up on the outside to deny long-term favourite Sam Attwater?
"Hamilton's ability on the ice, not to mention likeability, has transformed a runaway Sam Attwater victory, into an exciting two-horse race."
Watch out! Dancing On Ice has suddenly got interesting as the previously impregnable favourite Sam Attwater has been drawn into a battle for the winner's crown with Laura Hamilton
The obvious peril of any knock-out reality television show is that as the weeks progress, the number of eclectic and alluring characters diminish (particularly as the novelty characters, the Wagners et al, are gradually shoved out,) leaving some rather dull, albeit competent, remnants.
The success of the format thereon, depends on tension replacing variety. At the beginning we tune in because we like to laugh at fools. Then we tune in because we have really taken to that bloke from The Bill. Once he goes, the sole lure is drama.
DOI producers must therefore be incredibly grateful to Laura Hamilton. Her ability on the ice, not to mention likeability, has transformed a runaway Sam Attwater victory, into an exciting two-horse race. Reality telly voters, who notoriously love 'a journey', may see something in the previously unknown girl-next-door, rather than the slightly arrogant soap star.
Attwater is still the favourite - but he is now trading at above evens for the first time in weeks. Hamilton is in to [3.05], and is virtually unbackable in the 'without Attwater' market ([1.25]).
Indeed, judge Jason Gardiner now expects Hamilton to be the first ice-skater on the show to receive full marks for a performance. According to reports, her routines are now becoming so daring and intricate that medics have been placed on red alert to tend to her should she fall foul of motion sickness.
The only other horse in town is Chloe Madeley, and we mean that in a nice way. She is available at [6.2] in the Winners market, or [3.05] to be the best female. This week young Madeley has been grumbling to the press about the near-naked group tanning sessions that the contestants are encouraged to attend, in between gliding around ice rinks. Apparently, she's concerned about men gawking at her bits. Someone pass her the burka.
She has also complained to the tabloids that her boyfriend is TOO good looking. This may be an enormous tactical mistake - alienating the vast mob of voters who married absolutely revolting-looking men, and would love to have such a magnificent problem. She is [4.4] to be booted out this week.
War hero Johnson Beharry is above our mocking. So we turn to the fifth and final contestant still standing, Jeff Brazier. Big news for him this week was that he injured his neck in training. A few years ago, we would make a joke about being married to Jade Goody - so being used to pains in the neck. Not now though. Too soon. Too soon.
Watch out! Dancing On Ice has suddenly got interesting as the previously impregnable favourite Sam Attwater has been drawn into a battle for the winner's crown with Laura Hamilton...
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