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Simon Duke

Dancing on Ice's Ashley Banjo forced to 'explain' himself after being booed over 'harsh' score

Ashley Banjo battled through illness to be on Sunday's Dancing on Ice, only to be booed by the studio audience over one of his scores and then being made to 'explain' himself by host Holly Willoughby.

Since joining the Dancing on Ice judging panel a few years ago, the Britain's Got Talent winner and Diversity founder has offered a different take on the skating celebrities' performances, to compliment colleagues Torvill and Dean's extensive skating knowledge.

Sitting next to Oti Mabuse, who joined the ITV show from Strictly last year, Ashley was back to cast an eye over the five couples competing in this year's semi final and, after the celebs all had to skate on their own in the opening number of the night, they were back alongside their professional partners for a 'personal' skate.

READ MORE: Dancing on Ice's Joey Essex prompts 'hidden' gesture from Jayne Torvill during 'tragic' skate

The Vivienne took a nasty fall in her solo skate, so was hoping to bounce back in style with her second routine and, she did just that as she and Colin delivered a terrific routine to Somewhere Over The Rainbow. And their performance very nearly brought them a perfect score, only for Ashley to spoil the party by awarding a 9.5, rather than a 10.

Ashley's mark prompted boos from fans in the studio, with Holly pointedly quipping: "Someone's got some explaining to do Ashley!"

Croaking a reply, he defiantly commented: "I promise you 9.5 is a good score!" Addressing his illness, Ashley continued: "You can probably hear my throat, I've got a bit of a cold.

"I'm so, so proud of you for getting up after that solo skate fall and delivering that performance. It's not an easy thing to do."

Ashley's failure to award a 10 to The Vivienne and Colin saw him take a lot of heat on Twitter too, with one fan reacting: "So beautiful, so emotional. Gorgeous skate from VIVIENNE & Colin. What was Ashley thinking, it was a 10."

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