There was an awkward moment on Sunday night's Dancing On Ice and Phillip Schofield was forced to address it. Joey Essex appeared to go in for a 'kiss' with skating partner Vanessa Bauer live on air at the end of their routine but the reaction wasn't quite what he thought it would be and viewers were left cringing.
Performing a High School Musical routine for movie week, the TOWIE star was dressed as Zac Efron's character Troy Bolton with Vanessa taking the Gabriella role. Taking to the ice to the soundtrack Breaking Free, the dance ended in an embrace but as Joey went in for a kiss, Vanessa appeared to dodge him.
There have previously been suggestions of a romance between the pair, according to Yorkshire Live. Phillip Schofield was forced to address the moment. Speaking to the pair after their dance and before the judges' scores, he said: "Nearly a little peck at the end there". Joey replied: "Yeah, nearly... Our first kiss on live TV".
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The moment had fans hiding behind their hands with second-hand embarrassment. Taking to social media, fans of the show wrote: "Vanessa did not want that kiss and he was going for lips lol #awkward", with another added: "Vanessa's reaction to that attempted kiss was all of us watching. Super cringe #DancingOnIce". A third said: "Joey Essex just got completely bumped off there with that attempted kiss".
Others reacted to Phillip's questioning. One social media user said: "I f**** knew Phil would once again tease about their romance, what a surprise folks! You’re not in year 7 my god #dancingonice".
But Phillip wasn't the only one to pick up on the moment. Viewers added: "Did joey Essex just kiss that girl on live tv omg she looked uncomfortable #dancingonice". Someone else exclaimed: "THE WAY VANESSA DODGED THAT KISS", with another saying: "Awkward #dancingonice"
And others found the funny side: "Howling at Vanessa pulling away from Joey when he tried to kiss her". Another said: "Well that was an awkward forced kiss attempt at the end there", and someone else added: "Joey attempting to kiss Vanessa was very cringe"
Joey and Vanessa ended up scoring 8.5/8/5/7.8/8.0 for a total of 32.5.
Dancing On Ice airs on ITV1 on Sundays from 6.25pm.
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