Skate expectations

Meet the stars competing in the Dancing on Ice final

- LAUREN MORRIS

TONIGHT is crunch time for the Dancing on Ice finalists.

Sam Aston, Michaela Strachan and Anton Ferdinand will be battling it out on the ice in a bid to win the ITV show after nine gruelling weeks. Each of them is desperate to lift the trophy and get the chance to skate Torvill and Dean's famous Bolero routine.

Here are the finalists' thoughts just hours before the public vote.

Sam Aston

Coronation Street star Sam says Dancing on Ice has given him a huge confidence boost.

The 31-year-old, who has played Chesney Brown in the ITV soap since 2003, said skating with pro Molly Lanaghan had pushed him out of his comfort zone.

And while he admits he initially struggled with his nerves while performing on the ice, he said: "You get to a point where you just go for it." There are rumours ITV will axe the show after this series, but Sam hopes more celebrities will get the chance to learn to skate.