Nadia Sawalha and Angela Rippon voted off 'Dancing On Ice'

Nadia Sawalha and Angela Rippon were the first celebrities to be voted off 'Dancing On Ice' last night (09.01.11).

The ex-'EastEnders' star and former newsreader were booted off the new series of the hit ITV1 show after losing the public vote in a triple skate-off with children's TV presenter Laura Hamilton, who was stunned, despite being top of the judges' leaderboard.

Nadia, 46, who was paired with Mark Hanretty, said afterwards: "I'm gonna miss everyone. Mark is the most beautiful skater and nobody saw how beautiful he is. Maybe next year."

Angela, 66, admitted she was "gutted" to have been thrown off so early, adding: "I've had a wonderful time. It's been tremendous learning to skate."

Last night's show saw half of the 16 celebrities fight for a place in the celebrity ice contest, which starts properly in two weeks time.

The remaining eight potential contestants - which include Chloe Madeley, underwear model Elen Rivas and 'Loose Women' star Denise Welch - will perform next week, with another two facing the chop from the public.

When the competition officially starts, votes by the three judges - former Olympic champion Robin Cousins, choreographer Jason Gardiner and ex-Spice Girl Emma Bunton - will count, and their scores will help determine the contestants' fate.

Highlights of last night's show included former 'Coronation Street' actor Steven Arnold - who played Ashley Peacock in the soap - who scored just seven out of a possible 30 points for a hilarious routine to Madness' House of Fun.

U.S. rapper Vanilla Ice also surprised the panel with an energetic performance to Cameo's 'Word Up', which was praised by former Spice Girls star Emma as being "terrifically entertaining".

The next eight celebrities to fight for their place in the competition include Jennifer Metcalfe, Dominic Cork, Craig McLachlan, Dave Vitty and Sam Attwater on next Sunday's episode (16.01.11) on ITV1 at 6.35pm.