Luke Campbell finishes Dancing on Ice in third place - but in a blade of glory

Hull's Luke Campbell came in third in the final of Dancing On Ice tonight.

Although all the judges agreed his performance to a country version of Crazy Little Thing Called Love was his best yet it was not enough to stand up to the skating might of fellow Olympian Beth Tweddle and Eastender actor Matt Lapinskas, who consolidated his position as favourite with the series' first flawless score.

Luke, who described himself as the "dark horse" before the final, seemed happy with his fate.

After his first performance, Luke said: "I really enjoyed it. It has been such fun doing that all week and at the end of Dancing On Ice at least I have come out with summat - I have found the beat.

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"I am very happy. We have worked hard and it has been great working with Chris and Jayne as well."

The first routine featured a cowboy setting, which Philip Schofield jokingly referred to as "like a saloon out of Brokeback Mountain".

It certainly found favour with a smiling Jason Gardiner, who has butted heads with Luke in the past.

The Australian, known for his nasty comments to performers, said: "First of all you really threw me with the country and western gay bar scene - I didn't know where this was going - but actually this was the best musicality you have displayed.

"I thought you did very well. You were keeping up with everyone else, it was a good group number, not a bad opening at all."

A stumble in Luke's second performance - to One Direction's Little Things - essentially put paid to his ambitions to get down to the final two, however.

But he managed to get one last dig in at his nemesis, Jason, who said his routine was "not on par" with the other performers.

Luke, who has not been shy about answering back in previous shows, said: "I thought it was a brilliant performance: it was as good a performance as Jason's weave."

The comment was tweeted gleefully by John Prescott, who had earlier said he would vote for Luke not just because he had done so well but also to annoy Jason.

Beth Tweddle was crowned champion over Matt Lapinskas, who had scored a perfect 40 for both his performances in the final. The two battled it out with two rousing routines to Ravel's Bolero before the public voted the gymnast as the winner.

Luke, who admitted he struggled with going from the top of the boxing world to being a "complete novice" at first, was clearly delighted with how far he has come and how much he has learned.

The bantamweight, who boxing fans are now hoping will return his attention to the ring, said: "It has been a fantastic experience. I have loved every moment of it.

"I have learned a new skill for life now and I have got some great friends out of it as well."

• More pictures here

Follow Lucy Lyon on Twitter @lucy_lyon