Heather Mills axed from Dancing On Ice

Heather Mills may have been frozen out of Dancing on Ice but she took comfort in knowing she had inspired disabled children to take to the rink.

Ice queen: Heather Mills has been voted off the show

The former wife of ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney lost out to Hollyoaks actor Kieron Richardson in last night's skate-off, having received the least public support.

Mills - had struggled with her prosthetic leg in previous weeks - appeared pleased that despite her own difficulties her performances had given encouragement to others. "I'm so excited that all the kids that have lost limbs are now going out to skate," she said.

Judges said the skate-off decision "couldn't be closer" and praised both for the progress they had made over recent weeks. But the panel opted four to one in favour of giving Richardson another chance.

Mills appeared resigned to her fate even before completing the final icy dance, telling host Phillip Schofield that she thought she was "on the way" out of the competition.

After having the bad news confirmed by the five members of the judging panel, the former model thanked those who had supported her.

Mills and Richardson faced the dance-off despite not receiving the lowest mark in the main competition.

That dubious honour went to GMTV medical man Dr Hilary Jones. He received 11.5 points after a jittery performance to Savage Garden's Truly Madly Deeply.

But some of the judges said it was a more solid skate than had been seen in previous weeks.

Actress Hayley Tamaddon received the highest marks of the evening with an eventful performance to Lady Gaga's Just Dance.

Nine dancing couples will now go on to skate it out next week.