England

Johnson Beharry hangs up his skates

Victoria Cross hero Johnson Beharry has skated off the airwaves after being voted off Dancing On Ice at the semi-final stage.

He exited the show after the programme's acid-tongued judge, Jason Gardiner, said his first dance lacked "pizzazz".

Gardiner also told the military hero and his ice partner Jodeyne Higgins: "It's about a final that we can be proud of but you've come an incredibly long way."

It has been a particularly poignant journey for the military hero who suffered serious head injuries in Iraq and was awarded the Victoria Cross by the Queen in 2005.

Beharry admitted he had "a few moments" in the skate-off and said it did not feel as good as his first performance, but was gracious in defeat.

"This experience has been positive in my life, every day I have learnt a new thing," the soldier said, adding that he had "the time of my life" on the show.

Beharry's dancing partner described him as "inspirational".

Ex-EastEnder Sam Attwater and presenters Chloe Madeley and Laura Hamilton will battle it out in the final .

Picture: MoD