CHESHIRE’S champion Beth Tweddle is joint favourite to win Sunday evening’s Dancing on Ice final on ITV.

The Olympic bronze medallist is neck and neck with former EastEnders actor Matt Lapinskas with odds at 10:11, with fellow Olympian, boxer Luke Campbell, rank outsider at 25:1.

Ladbrokes spokeswoman Jessica Bridge said: “It’s literally down to the flip of a coin as to who will win on Sunday.”

The triple world champion gymnast said it was ‘fantastic’ to reach the final following a tense semi-final, from which rugby star Gareth Thomas was forced to withdraw after severe motion sickness during his challenging flying routine.

Speaking to the Chronicle after Sunday’s competition, Beth said: “Reaching the finals feels fantastic and I’m so grateful to the public for voting to keep me in the competition each week.”

If she is crowned ice champion, it would mean a hat-trick for partner Dan Whiston, who has won the celebrity challenge twice already, with partners Gaynor Faye in the first series and Emmerdale actress Hayley Tamaddon in 2010.

Dan said: “Beth and I are really happy to have made the final and have always been grateful for the public vote. We intend to enjoy our final performances and give it everything we’ve got; the rest is up to you guys. I hope you enjoy it, as I know we will.”

Beth finished second behind Matt on the leader board after a sexy number to Jessie J’s Domino, followed by a beautifully lyrical interpretation of Sarah McLachlan’s Angel, which saw Beth flying high above the studio audience.

She said: “To be honest, with the smoke I couldn’t see the audience, crew or cameras; it felt like it was just Dan and I in the rink.”

Beth admitted feeling a bit downhearted after baddie judge Jason Gardiner described her as being ‘dead behind the eyes’ during her first routine.

She said: “Obviously it was hard to hear that but I had to forget it and focus on my next performance. I took the comments on board and it seemed to work; Jason really enjoyed my flying routine.”

As the only female left in the final, Beth is hoping girl power will help her to win.

She added: “It’s great to know I’m doing it for the girls! I was really sad to see Samia leave as we had become good friends throughout the show. It will be great to have everyone back this week and to catch up.”