There’s reportedly a “toxic” atmosphere backstage on Dancing On Ice after the weekend’s live show.
It follows a row between celebrity skater Gemma Collins and Dancing On Ice judge Jason Gardiner
Sunday night’s musicals themed live show saw Gemma perform to Diamonds Are A Girl’s best Friend from Gentleman Prefer Blondes.
Her routine with pro skater Matt Evers was panned by the judges, receiving just 13 points to land bottom of the scoreboard.
In the comments, judge Jason Gardiner criticised Gemma for her lack of commitment and in response Gemma accused him of ‘selling stories’ about her to the press.
The pair erupted into a nasty on air row, with Gemma shouting over him: “Boring! Boring!” before he retaliated by branding her a “brat”.
In the wake of the on screen bust up, insiders say that there’s a “toxic” atmosphere behind the scenes now.
“Gemma was furious backstage — but so was Jason. They’re both very strong-minded so there was no chance either of them would back down after the show,” a source spilled to The Sun newspaper. “Behind the scenes the atmosphere is even more toxic now.
“Two of the most prominent people on the show are at war.”
The tabloid also claims that Gemma is unhappy with host Holly Willoughby, after the TV presenter made a quip to camera following the row.
Gemma herself has kept relatively quiet about the whole thing so far, taking to Instagram yesterday to post simply: “Thank you to everyone who supported me its been a tough week.”
Meanwhile, TV watchdog Ofcom has received complaints with more than 80 official objections lodged with the regulator.
Around 50 were made about Gemma’s actions while more than 33 concerned Jason’s comments to her, including comparing the reality star to the late model Anna Nicole Smith.
Following Sunday’s show, Gemma’s pro skating partner Matt Evers spoke out to defend both Gemma and Jason.
“First and foremost, I will defend Jason – yes, there wasn’t a lot of content. I didn’t have a lot of rehearsal time with her this past week. He was absolutely correct saying that, as well as the other judges on that part,” he told Heart radio.
But he went on: “[Jason] compared her to Anna Nicole Smith, which I think is a little bit degrading. It’s just not cool. There is a way to criticise someone constructively, and then there’s just putting them down. I think she took it a little personal. That he was making fun of her as a human being.”
Dancing On Ice 2019 continues Sunday night on ITV.
