ITV’s Dancing On Ice has been embroiled in a ‘fix’ row as fans fume over celebrities’ dance backgrounds.
Viewers have complained two of the contestants on this year’s skating competition have an unfair advantage due to their extensive dance training, and called out the judges for giving them high scores.
Regan Gascoigne, who is one of the favourites to lift the Dancing On Ice trophy, is one of the celebrities who has been targeted, as fans allege he has an unfair advantage because he’s been professionally dancing for years.
The 26-year-old, who is the son of former England footballer Paul Gascoigne, enrolled in the Hammond Ballet School when he was a youngster, and studied musical theatre at the Tring Park School for Performing Arts.
He has also performed with dance troupe Qdos Entertainment since 2018, and some viewers believe he shouldn't be allowed to compete against non-dancers.
Regan fired back at the criticism, and told Mirror Online skating was “different to dancing”.
“You're holding your core in a totally different way to how you would be dancing. Lifting people is totally different, it is a completely different skill. The ice is a completely different element,” he explained.
During Sunday’s show, viewers were fuming when Regan was scored highly, despite stumbling during his routine.
“Again Regan is scored ultra high, he did not complete the judges challenge did one jump and then stumbled,” one tweeted.
“I thought Regan's performance was great, but based on the comments and the wobbles he had, I think he was slightly overmarked,” another added.
Fans have also taken aim at former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole, who they allege was given high scores by guest judge Arlene Phillips over the weekend due to them being former co-stars on the hit BBC One show.
“The night Dancing on Ice becomes Fix on Ice! Brendan gets his mate on the judges panel and she gives him a 10 while marking others up to 2 points lower than the other judges!” an irate viewer tweeted.
While another fumed that those with previous dancing experience shouldn't be allowed to compete against celebrities who have never had any dance training.
“They shouldn't have dancers on there against people who can't/don't dance. It should be ALL DANCERS or NO DANCERS to make it equal and fair!” they tweeted.
Judge Christopher Dean slammed the criticism, and told host Phillip Schofield during last week’s show that dancing and ice skating are completely different.
“You have got to learn to skate first of all, and that's the biggest hurdle everybody has to get over,” he told the audience.
