He's Bad! Matt Lapinskas shrugs off love split as he scores two 39.0s with stunning Dancing On Ice routines

He's had a dramatic week with splitting up from his girlfriend Shona McGarty and turning 24.
However, Matt Lapinskas didn't let the distraction affect his skating performance as he pulled off two stellar routines on Sunday night's Dancing On Ice.
The ex-EastEnders actor ended up with two scores of 39.0 for two different routines with his partner Brianne Delcourt.

 

Flying high: Matt Lapinskas and Brianne Delcourt perform their first routine on Dancing on Ice

 

'The most beautiful flying routine from a male celebrity': Matt was rounded praised by the judges for his grace in the air

The pair were the first to perform on Sunday's live episode with their flying routine to Nat King Cole's Straighten Up And Fly Right.

 

They were thrilled with their score of 39.0 after getting three 10s from the judge - which would later be equalled with their second non-flying performance.
Robin hailed Matt's performance as 'the best male flying we've ever had in all of our series so far'.

 

Old school: The pair performed to a Nat King Cole song

 

He continued: 'You trusted him and he trusted you. Was beautiful from beginning to the end. Seamless.'
Defending his 9 when the other judges gave 10, Jason said: 'Nine is really good. You were the best you've ever seen with a male celebrity in the air. You looked great tonight.
'The only thing was the back leg is the extended leg, I would have like to see it just a little bit higher. I'm a bit picky, but is the semi-finals people.'

 

Excited: Matt and Brianne celebrate after getting their high score

Matt and Brianne's second routine was back on the ice and was sexy number to Michael Jackson's '80s classic Bad.
Jason ended up giving his first 10 of the series: 'Matt, we really needed that tonight. That was a semi-final performance. It was dynamic, edgy, punchy. It was a complete package for me.'
Ashley Roberts enthused: 'You were bad! Salsa verde extra hot and spicy. You've got the it factor.'

 

Wowing the judges: Matt's second routine was to Michael Jackson's Bad

 

Red hot! Matt and Brianne turned up the raunch factor

However, the two professional skaters on the panel, Karen and Robin gave them 9.5 each because of the hesitation on one of his lifts.
Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle's non-flying performance was given a particularly harsh critique by Jason, who described her as 'dead behind the eyes'.
She and partner Dan Whiston performed to Jessie J's Domino, ending up with their highest score ever of 33.5.
However, Jason said something was still lacking: 'You are technically so brilliant with what you can do. I've been asking for you to dig down and give me something that connects with you.

 

Sexing things up: Beth Tweddle and partner Dan Whiston performed to Jessie J's Domino

 

Graceful: Beth and Dan's flying routine to Sarah McLachlan's Angels was stunning

'There were moments... But you're mechanical. It's like you're dead behind the eyes.'
Host Philip Schofield stepped in to defend Beth: 'That's not how the audience feel, Jason.'
The final performance of the night saw Beth in the flying harness as she and Dan performed to Sarah McLachlan's ballad Angel, ending up with their highest score so far of 38.0.

 

Strength: Beth had to support the weight of Dan as they glided across the ice

Jason had been turned from his previous critique: 'You really came into your own and owned it. This was a semi-final performance. It was honest and sincere. You do very well with these lyrical pieces.
'The eyes were alive. You were connected with Dan. It was beautiful.'
Making a veiled swipe at Jason, Karen said: 'So very nearly perfect. Anyone that doubted you as a performer should watch that because it was beautifully performed.'

 

Let's fly: Luke Campbell's first performance of the night with partner Jenna Smith was to James Vincent McMorrow's Higher Love

Luke Campbell's first performance of the night was his flying routine with partner Jenna Smith to James Vincent McMorrow's Higher Love.
The Olympic boxer ended up with a respectable score of 30.5 - although Jason only gave a 6.5.
Robin said: 'A very nice clean routine. It was all contained. I wanted you to show us you were enjoying it. I could see that little bit of trepidation in your face.'
Jason was rather harsh: 'I don't like watching boys fly. Unfortunately you don't exude or express anything in the air. You were devoid of any emotion of the piece or your partner. It was very lacklustre.'

 

In the pink: Luke and Jenna's second performance to Westlife ballad What About Now? gave them their best score so far with 31.5

However, their second performance to Westlife ballad What About Now? fared better, giving them their best score so far with 31.5.
Ashley told him: 'There were some difficult and different moves. I wanna see even more from you.'
Gareth Thomas and Robin Johnstone performed a non-flying routine to Coldplay's La Vida, ending up with a total score of 33.5.
Karen told him: 'I was pleased with that. I was concerned a bit at the beginning about your balance. Later in the routine, you got it back.'

 

Not well: Gareth Thomas and partner Robin Johnstone only performed once as he struggled with severe motion sickness

 

Brave: Despite his illness, Gareth managed to perform with Robin to Coldplay

However, Jason noticed that Gareth wasn't feeling 100 per cent and it had impacted on his routine: 'Tonight you're not on your A-game. You're not the Gareth we're used to see. The lifts were a little bit clunky.'
Philip said Gareth had been feeling poorly that day as the rugby star nodded, looking visibly unwell before rushing off stage.
Jayne Torvill admitted he had been 'really disorientated' during rehearsals earlier that day as he struggled with severe motion sickness.

 

All white now: Philip Schofield looked dapper in dark blue, while Christine Bleakley wore a white Suzanne Neville dress and YSL heels

However, after consultations with the medics, it was decided Gareth wouldn't be performing his flying routine, meaning he and Robin were at the bottom of the leaderboard with only 33.5.
In the results episode later on Sunday night, it was ruled Gareth was too sick to take part in the skate-off, meaning Luke, Matt and Beth would all progress to the semi-final.
The Dancing On Ice 2013 final is on ITV1 on Sunday 10th March at 7pm.

 

High scores: The judges (L-R Robin Cousins, Karen Barber, Ashley Roberts and Jason Gardiner) were giving out 10s