After winning a perfect score from the Dancing On Ice judges last week Ray Quinn is the bookies' favourite to skate to glory on Sunday's finale.
And coaches Torvill and Dean also appeared to give him the edge over rivals Donal MacIntyre and Jessica Taylor.
The Olympic gold medallists praised Ray, known to TV viewers as the runner-up of X Factor 2007, as a "natural talent". "He has been the strongest skater from the start," said Christopher Dean.
Twenty-year-old Ray's secret weapon is his Bolero routine, which he describes as "intricate" and "exciting". "It tells a story. It's not about lifts this one — it's about pure skating."
During the weekend's final viewers will watch the competitors perform twice before voting one of them out. The remaining two will then have a chance to perform their own version of Torvill and Dean's signature piece.
While fresh-faced entertainer Ray was confident going into the showdown, pop babe Jessica, of Liberty X fame, is intent on overcoming a recent injury. "It's still a work in progress, but I think it's going to be good," she said.
Investigative journalist Donal was not so optimistic about his chances. "If the audience decides to vote for who they feel sorriest for then I may get through to Bolero," he joked. "If I did win, I'd hand the trophy over to Ray."
Photo: ITV
Photo: ITV
