The pair, known as the ‘Disco Brits’ for their flashy and confident performances -Fear was in a sparkling Union Jack dress here, reminiscent of Ginger Spice – brought their very best for the delighted home crowd at Utilita Arena.
“Even when I was warming up backstage with headphones on I could hear the crowd, I knew it would be fun,” Fear told the media conference afterwards.
They scored positively in all five elements and particularly impressed with their opening sequential twizzles and step sequence.
The British pair are 1.5 points behind leaders Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France, and ahead of reigning European champions Marco Fabbri and Charlene Guignard of Italy.
Fabbri, 37, and 35-year-old Guignard are the oldest male and female skaters at these championships, and are returning to Sheffield where they competed in their very first European Championship together back in 2012.
At those championships, Fear was a flower girl and Gibson was a spectator. Tomorrow, they could be champions.
“I maybe gave Charlene flowers!” said Fear. “I was just in awe of all these skaters, thinking maybe I could do that.
“It is surreal to be here, and hopefully I can inspire someone else to do it in future.”