Ex-'Strictly Come Dancing' star Brendan Cole brands 'Dancing On Ice's Jason Gardiner 'vicious'

Former Strictly Come Dancing pro Brendan Cole has branded Dancing On Ice judge Jason Gardiner’s style ‘vicious’.

Appearing on Loose Women, he said that he objected to Gardiner’s lack of constructive criticism when judging contestants on the ice.

“He’s vicious. I don’t agree with viciousness,” he said. “If you’ve got something to say, say it with… constructively.”

He went on to say that Gardiner’s remarks about not being likely to see ‘lifts’ in Gemma Collins’ routines in future, for which many have accused him of body shaming the Only Way Is Essex star, were also unnecessary.

Brendan Cole (Credit: Rex)
Brendan Cole (Credit: Rex)

“That’s what I mean about the nastiness. You don’t speak like that to someone in normal life. It’s EastEnders, isn’t it?” he added.

Gardiner and Collins fell out live on air on ITV on Sunday night, when the judge slammed her performance, in which she was styled as Marilyn Monroe and skated to Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.

Jason Gardiner (Credit: ITV)
Jason Gardiner (Credit: ITV)

She hit back, accusing Gardiner of ‘selling stories’ about her to the tabloids.

Then on the red carpet of the National Television Awards this week, she told reporters: “This week I’ve got to let my feet do the talking. To be honest, I do agree with the judges’ comments.

“Less of the body-shaming though, please! I might be a big girl but that doesn’t mean I can’t leave the house.”

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