Former Sunderland player Kevin Kilbane is eliminated from Dancing On Ice with partner Brianne Delcourt

Kevin Kilbane is the latest contestant to be eliminated from Dancing On Ice claiming that finding love with his skating partner Brianne Delcourt made him a winner.
Kevin Kilbane has been eliminated from Dancing On Ice.
Photo: ITV/Matt FrostKevin Kilbane has been eliminated from Dancing On Ice.
Photo: ITV/Matt Frost
Kevin Kilbane has been eliminated from Dancing On Ice. Photo: ITV/Matt Frost

On Sunday, February 2, Fairytale week saw the pair left the competition following a skate-off against Ian "H" Watkins and his professional partner Matt Evers. The decision was unanimous with all four judges: John Barrowman, Ashley Banjo, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean choosing to save H.

Despite the sadness of leaving, they both agreed that finding each other on the popular ITV show was their real prize.

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The former Sunderland footballer said the couple had been hoping to remain in the competition until their birthdays. He celebrated his 43rd birthday on Saturday, February 1 and Brianne’s 39th birthday was the day of the live show on Sunday, February 2.

Co-host Holly Willoughby suggested that Kilbane was going home with "the ultimate prize" and he agreed saying: "I didn't even need to come on the show.

"As soon as we started, it's been an incredible run."

Phillip Schofield told Brianne that Kevin was her prize, and she replied: "I did, I did. A life-changer."

Their relationship was confirmed in an exclusive interview with OK! magazine at the start of the competition when they were asked whether they were officially an item. Brianne, 38, said: “Yes! Kevin is my person.”

Kevin claims he will continue to skate despite exiting the competition. 
Photo: Photo: ITV/Matt FrostKevin claims he will continue to skate despite exiting the competition. 
Photo: Photo: ITV/Matt Frost
Kevin claims he will continue to skate despite exiting the competition. Photo: Photo: ITV/Matt Frost
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He confirmed to both hosts of the show that he will continue to skate with his partner.

Kevin played for Sunderland from 1999 to 2003, making 113 appearances and scoring eight goals. He was signed by Reid for £2.5 million, making him the third most expensive club signing at the time.

The last time Brianne won the competition was on March 27, 2011 with her celebrity partner Sam Attwater.

Earlier in the show, viewers were told that US model Caprice Bourret had left the competition and Paralympian Libby Clegg didn’t skate due to illness. She is expected to be back on the ice next week following Kevin’s departure.

Dancing On Ice continues on ITV1 on Sunday, February 9 at 6pm.