As the 47-year-old once again found himself in the bottom two on ITV's Dancing On Ice, the pressure finally got to him and he took a tumble when he performed the Dexy's Midnight Runners classic Come On Eileen for a second time to stay in the show.

Despite making a quick recovery, only one judge voted to save him as he lost out to model and TV presenter Melinda Messenger.

But the former Great Britain captain said he was happy to have made it six weeks, considering he couldn't even skate.

He said: "It's a very mixed reaction from me. I am extremely pleased how far I got.

"I don't know if I got through by default - I can't skate.

"I'm a trier and I wanted to go as far as I could.

"At the time I felt guilty as better skaters went out before me.

"It would have been an injustice if Melinda had gone. She is a better skater than me and more elegant."

Ellery admitted he was disappointed he fell, but was pleased how he recovered.

He added: "I knew I had to get back up straight away as I heard my partner Frankie Poultney saying 'what are you doing on the floor.'

"I knew there would be hell to play if I didn't get up.

"She is lovely and I have got her to thank. She has been like my best friend. We have spent most of our time together, shopping, eating, and going places - I will miss her."

With only seven people left, who does Ellery think will win?
He added: "It's between four people - Ray Quinn, Jessica Taylor, Zoe Salmon and Roxanne Pallet.

"But I like them all - I get on with everybody and I want everybody to do well, but the person who has improved the most is Donal MacIntyre.

"And I would like to thank everybody who has voted for me. All the St Helens people have been very supportive.

"If I could I would love to shake everybody's hand to say thank you very much."