Fans have rushed to the defence of Dancing On Ice contestant Ekin-Su Culculoglu after her dance routine and outfit in her debut performance on the ITV show were criticised.
Last year's Love Island winner and her professional skating partner, Brendyn Hatfield, entertained fans with a raunchy performance on last Sunday's season opener. But some viewers weren't amused as the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom confirmed it received more than a hundred complaints related to the dance routine and the costume Ekin-Su wore as she performed it.
Some felt the choreography and attire were inappropriate for a family show broadcast during early evening on ITV. The 28-year-old's outfit, in particular, was criticised by some viewers who took to social media to complain that it was too 'revealing'.
But their comments have sparked a backlash from other fans of the show who pointed out that Ekin-Su barely revealed any flesh during her performance due to her costume, in fact, being an all-fabric jumpsuit. Many added that the ensemble was designed to be a replica of what US singer Britney Spears wore in the hugely popular music video of her 2004 hit Toxic - to which Ekin-Su was dancing.
Some highlighted that it was the Dancing On Ice wardrobe department who had selected Ekin-Su's costume. While others made the point that any criticism of the racy routine should be addressed towards the choreographers who put it together.
Twitter user GrainneLogue took to the social media platform to defend the model. She wrote: "Do the peeps complaining about @ekinsuofficial outfit realise she was literally COVERED from head to toe in a body suit?"
Julia Hill agreed, saying: "I thought she did really well and I enjoyed her performance. It certainly wasn’t the worst. I doubt she choreographed it or chose the costume (which I loved). It was a flesh coloured leotard folks. Calm down! She got my votes!"
EM T added: "Oh please give it a rest! Nothing wrong with her costume she’s fully covered!!"
Highkick AJ commented: "There's a lot of negativity towards Ekin Su. Complain to ITV if it's a problem as the celebs don't choose the outfits or choreograph their routine. Due to the song used, everything was clearly Britney inspired and enjoying it. So let's #BeKind or switch channels"
Posting a picture of Britney, Raeven wrote: "Britney's outfit for Toxic. The costume team have copied it."
Katie added: "extremely funny (except not) that people are outraged at ekin wearing exactly what britney wore in the toxic video 20 years ago"
Do you think viewers were right to be outraged by Ekin-Su's performance and outfit or should they reassess? Let us know in the comments.
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