The elimination of Ekin-Su Culculoglu from Dancing On Ice has sparked a furious reaction on social media from her supporters. Fans took to Twitter to criticise the ITV show's audience, with some going as far as to call its viewers 'vile' and accuse them of misogyny.
The Love Island winner became the third celebrity to leave the show on Sunday night after an episode of live dance-themed performances. The reality TV star and actress received the fewest votes and appeared in the dreaded dance-off against former EastEnders star Patsy Palmer.
Skating for survival, a visibly upset Culculoglu and her partner Brendyn Hatfield danced to Ariana Grande’s No Tears Left To Cry in their second skate-off during their time on the show. But judge Jayne Torvill sealed Ekin-Su's fate when she chose to save Palmer who had a “cleaner performance”, alongside Oti Mabuse and Ashley Banjo – who said both women should be proud of their skating performances.
The 28-year-old's run on the show had been tumultuous from its first week, when the outfit selected for her by the Dancing On Ice wardrobe department and a raunchy dance routine in her first performance prompted more than a hundred complaints to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom. Many viewers felt the flesh-coloured full-fabric jumpsuit was inappropriate for a prime time family show.
But supporters of the Love Island 2022 victor have hit out at the way she has been treated by viewers of the ice skating contest. Twitter user @mywinterforest had some very strong words for the show's audience.
They wrote: "Ekinsu never stood a chance with #DancingOnIce ‘s vile audience. No matter how hard she tired to change to fit their standards, be more conservative, skate better, smile more. It wasn’t enough. It’s their loss, she will be onto bigger & better things @ekinsuofficial love you"
Fellow user @conormckenna101 was in agreement, saying: "Feel bad for Ekin-Su. She got a lot of unwarranted stick throughout the course of the show. #dancingonice"
Addressing Ekin-Su, @MizVee813 said: "It may not feel like it now, but believe me, you are better off. This show's viewers are the worst. Just mean for no reason. On to bigger and better things."
@geekygirl500005 commented: "at least i don’t have to watch trash #DancingOnIce ever again. and experience their troll viewers. ekin wasn’t the best on this show, but she was not the worst. (from someone who actually knows what she’s taking about as an ex-syncro and solo figure skater xox)"
Ekin-Su's original routine to Car Wash by Dance X Winners saw her skating alongside her shirtless professional dance partner Brendyn Hatfield. It also included a surprising cameo appearance from her boyfriend and fellow Love Island winner Davide Sanclimenti, who appeared shirtless on the ice too.
Some Twitter users drew attention to what they felt were double standards from certain viewers. Anda Gwira wrote: "The same people who were huffing and puffing over Ekin su wearing a flesh tone unitard are the same people who were thirsting over half naked men on the show tonight.
"It’s is not #dancingonice it is misogyny on ice. I am so glad my girl Ekin Su is out of that hell hole."
@Char_Tutton agreed, asking: "Are the people who moaned about Ekin-Su’s week 1 outfit gonna give the same energy to the topless pros or #DancingOnIce"
- Do you think Ekin-Su got a raw deal on Dancing On Ice? Let us know in the comments.
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