He may have been a surprising choice as a contestant for ITV's Dancing On Ice but Bez's first appearance on the live show didn't disappoint and created reaction from the start.
Fans of the popular series saw the Happy Mondays star Bez perform covered in padding and a crash helmet.
Philip Schofield confirmed he is the first contestant ever to wear a helmet and pads during the live routine 'for their own protection'.
The 58-year-old then went straight through to next week's show despite a very low score.
Fans were divided, reported Yorkshire Live, saying that that while Bez avoided the bottom two despite descending onto the ice "on a giant pair of maracas before hobbling around the ice flanked by backup dancers", a lot of viewers also called out an 'unfair advantage' for another contestant.
Fans said Brendan Cole has an unfair advantage due to being a trained dancer and a former Strictly Come Dancing professional.
One fan posted: "I think it’s so unfair that a professional dancer is a contestant. can already call it for who is gonna win now #DancingOnIce
While another said: "I hate when they say “they might be a professional dancer, but that doesn’t help, when you’re on the ice.
"Yes it does help, because Brendan just scored an 8 on show one, with no mention of bad lines and everyone else will get a bad lines comment."
A third added: "Why the hell invite someone on and give them such a low score when they've never done it before and yet Brendan is a professional dancer ? Not fair - He's there for everyone to just take the p***."
Comments continued: "Sorry but I don't care what the judges or anyone says Kimberley and Brendan are deffo ringers with transferable skills. Come on Bez!!"
And: "#dancingonice starting with an advantage clearly not a level rink Brendan is just another contestant really don’t patronise the British public #unfairadvantage not normally a cynic #realitycheck".
While another said: "Surely he has an unfair advantage been an ex professional dancer mind I suppose you could say about Bez to lol"
And after Brendan and another pro dancer, Kimberley, both smashed their routines, thousands of people flooded onto social media to call for people to vote for Bez after his 'mad routine'.
While Bez scored the lowest by far, with a 3/3.5/3/3, to make just a 12.5 overall, it's clear he had many fans including judge Ashley despite his low score.
Judge Ashley said: “This is dangerous and you are out here in every kind of crash padding on and a melon helmet. Forget the score, that was genuinely entertaining.”
Judge Oti Mabuse said: “You managed to dance without falling and you deserve a standing ovation for that. It takes real guts and courage to do something you’ve never done before in front of millions of people. You’ve got so much room for growth. I’m here for it so well done. “
Once again fans took to Twitter, “Can't stand this show but will watch the segments with Bez in it. Absolute legend”
Another said: “ Bez you have filled my heart with joy tonight, I bloody loved that, awesome ”
"Even though Bez could improve his skating, he skated independently unlike Sally!” wrote another.
Another Twitter user said: “Minimal skating content aside, Bez and Angela's performance was somehow still the highlight of the show so far.”
But not everyone was keen on Bez, who flew straight through to next week's show despite his very low score.
"People voting for bez are literally just gonna ruin it for everyone. y’all had your laugh with his dance which was apparently supposed to be funny now don’t take away opportunities from those who actually have talent." wrote one person, with another joining in: "Bez survives first skate off won't think I will give it a miss."
Someone else wrote: "Bez getting through and not Ria what an absolute joke. These competitions always end up being popularity contests #DancingOnIce"
And another said: "Can someone please tell me why people get upset every year? Yes Bez went through but most people vote by who they like or if they liked the song they danced. Personally I love the show and have the upmost respect for anyone willing to get on the ice and give it a go."
You can catch up with the first episode of Dancing on Ice on ITV hub.
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