Samia Ghadie and Sylvain Longchambon sparkle on Dancing On Ice launch show... but end up middle of the leaderboard

By Emily Sheridan

PUBLISHED: 19:46 GMT, 6 January 2013 | UPDATED: 08:17 GMT, 7 January 2013

There's been speculation over the nature of their working relationship for over a week.

But Samia Ghadie and French partner Sylvain Longchambon so-called chemistry didn't translate as well as they hoped for Week 1 of the Dancing On Ice.

The pair ended up on the lower middle of the leaderboard after receiving a total of 17.5 after skating to Rihanna's recent hit Diamonds.

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All that glitters: Samia Ghadie and French partner Sylvain Longchambon were the first to skate to Rihanna's recent hit Diamonds

The soap actress admitted it had been hard to focus on the skating with the media attention on her and Sylvain's personal lives after both split from their respective partners Will Thorp and Jennifer Metcalfe.

She said: 'Obviously with all the unwanted press attention it has been difficult this week but out there tonight I put the fallout to one side and didn't let it affect my skating.'

Ashley said: 'I thought you were skating and sparkling all over the ice. I want to see you sit in those hips and own your fierceness the whole time.'

Jason added: 'I know you are having a problem with the chemistry - don't shy away from that, ignore what everybody is saying but show us that there a strong partnership here and develop it.

'Great potential': Samia was told off by Jason for her lack of arm control

VIDEO Stunning. Should Samia and Sylvain be in middle of leaderboard?

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'You have to watch your arms, it looks like you’re swatting flies. If you are going to do these things, make them count.'

Despite having to quit the series after injuring himself last year, Keith Chegwin returned to the ice with Russian partner Olga Sharutenko.

The 54-year-old broke his shoulder and cracked three ribs last year and admitted his injuries had actually made him more confident on the ice this time round.

Following his skate to D:Ream's Things Can Only Get better he received a total of 15.5 - with a disappointing 3 from Jason.

Back on the ice: Keith Chegwin and Russian partner Olga Sharutenko performed to D:Ream's Things Can Only Get Better

Ashley told him: 'You're a little ball of fun and energy. On some of the transitions, you could extend the arms a bit.'

As expected, Jason was the most critical: 'Things couldn't get any worse with your presentation. Your actions need more attack and purpose. You're a capable skater, but you still need to work on your presentation.'

Robin agreed with all the judges: 'Yes it's rough about the edges and technically the skating wasn't brilliant, but everyone watching is having fun.'

Bringing fun to the show: Keith and Olga received a score of 15.5

Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle was the third to skate with her English partner Dan Whiston.

The pair received 21.5 for their performance to Ellie Goulding's Anything Could Happen.

Although she got 6.5 from the professional skater judges Karen and Robin, she only got a 3.5 from Jason.

Showing her gymnastic skills: Beth Tweddle was the third to skate with her English partner Dan Whiston

Karen referred to her judging rival Jason as she said: 'The scores are confusing. That was amazing. This is only Week 1... I'm a little confused at the end of the panel.'

Getting his claws out, Jason scathed: 'I was very excited when I heard that you were gonna join the show but unfortunately I was bored to "Beth" by you.

'I'm kind of de-sensitised cos of my background. It was very robotic. We need more fluidity in the presentation.'

'Bored to "Beth" by you': Jason wasn't too kind when judging Beth's impressive performance

However, Robin praised the bronze medalist for 'some of the strongest technical skating we've seen in a Week 1 show'.

Beth admitted she was used to having a 'game face' on for her gymnasts and hope to bring out more of the performance in future shows.

Next to perform was ex-EastEnder Matt Lapinskas and his Canadian partner Brianne Delcourt.

Purple power: Ex-EastEnder Matt Lapinskas and his Canadian partner Brianne Delcourt performed to Chris Brown's Turn Up The Music

They performed a high-energy ice dance to Chris Brown's Turn Up The Music.

The pair received a grand total of 24 - with lower scores of 5 from the two dancing judges on the panel Ashley and Jason.

Jason told him: 'That was amazing. I really enjoyed the energy and conviction. At times it got a little frantic in places. I like the fact that you're living on the edge.'

Karen tipped him for the final: 'Exciting performance. For me you were one of the top runners, you're gonna go all the way.'

Not so promising: Former X Factor winner Shayne Ward and his partner Maria Fillipov performed to Alex Clare's track Too Close, receiving a total of 16

Become the man on the ice: Shayne's lack of confidence was clear to the judges

Former X Factor winner Shayne Ward and his partner Maria Fillipov performed to Alex Clare's track Too Close, receiving a total of 16.

Jason told him: 'It started off well, but then as it progressed it seemed as if the routine seemed to get away from you. The presentation isn't there. You need to be more commanding.'

Robin agreed with all the judges, saying: 'The skating is there, but watch the footwork. The feet were working, but not technically correctly. Become the man on the ice and let your partner work with you.'

Final to perform in the opening series was Pamela Anderson and her partner Matt Evers, who was clearly excited to be skating with the Baywatch star.

Sizzling: Pamela Anderson and her partner Matt Evers performed to Emeli Sande's Read All About It

'Tentative and a few little stutters': Pamela let her nerves get the better of her during her performance

The pair received a total of 18.5 to their performance to Emeli Sande's Read All About It.

Robin said: 'It was good, it was tentative and a few little stutters. Every single crossover you did was correct, naturally, not forced. There's a lot to be worked on.'

Jason added: 'Overall its not too bad, but the problem is it's inconsistent. It is incredibly beautiful then if it goes awry. There's not enough relaxation. Stop trying to be perfect and enjoy it a little bit more.'

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Karen, who gave Pamela a 6, remarked: 'I agree with lots of what's been said. I see the potential. I want you to skate with Matt, not by yourself.'

Meanwhile, Lauren Goodger, Oona King, Gareth Thomas, Joe Pasquale, Anthea Turner and Luke Campbell will have to wait until next week's show to perform.

Sunday's live show marked the return of former judges Jason and Karen to the panel, as well the debut of former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, who spent years as a trained dancer before joining the girl group.