Ray Quinn's toughest competition yet

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

Ray Quinn says competing on 'Dancing On Ice' was tougher than 'The X Factor'.

The 20-year-old star - who won the ITV ice-skating show on Sunday (22.03.09) and came second in the singing reality TV show in 2006 - said the tension almost became too much for him as he was waited for presenter Phillip Schofield to announce who had won. Ray, who danced with professional Maria Filippov, said: "This is the toughest competition I have ever done.

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"I was so nervous, I really wanted to win this. I had my head buried in Maria's hair, thinking, 'Please say a name.' When he said my name I was blown away. I couldn't believe I'd won. It couldn't have gone more perfectly for me."

Ray beat undercover reporter Donal MacIntyre into second place, with singer Jessica Taylor coming third.

The winner insists he has made a long term friend in Maria, adding he is not looking forward to her dancing with another contestant on next year's show.

He said: "Yes, I'll be jealous. I'll be like, 'Listen, don't you be forgetting me, Maria!' Maria and I are friends for life. I couldn't think of a better partner. Working with her is a privilege. We're always texting each other. We've gotten really close and we've seen each other every day for ages."

Ray also revealed he was gifted with a diamond-encrusted jockstrap by the crew on the show, although he denied wearing it during his winning performance.

He said: "It had diamante on, it looked uncomfortable with all the sewn on. I'll keep it though. I've got the blades, the costumes and the jockstrap now - I can't stop!"

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