Gemma Collins' tirade against Jason Gardiner sparks Ofcom complaints from Dancing On Ice viewers

Dancing On Ice sparked a flurry of complaints on Sunday night after viewers watched Gemma Collins take on Jason Gardiner in a heated exchange.

The reality star, who shot to fame on TOWIE, used her sharp tongue to scold Gardiner for “selling stories on her” after he criticised her Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend routine.

Collins, who made no secret of her tough week following "diva" claims, said: “Maybe if you didn’t sell stories on me, maybe I wouldn’t have been so upset this week. So take that. Boring. Next. Don’t sell stories on me. Don’t sell stories on me.”

Some 50 viewers complained to Ofcom while a further 33 were received by the media watchdog relating to comments made about Collins during the two-hour broadcast.

Holly Willoughby appeared to mock Collins’ outburst as she joked about “selling stories” on introducing Melody Thornton and her professional partner.

“Well it is time for the final skating star of the night and it's our Pussycat Doll,” she said.

“Let’s get the inside story as she skates to a song from West Side Story - nobody sold that story that's for sure.”

Co-host Phillip Schofield smirked as he struggled to hold in his laughter.

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Earlier in the week, Gardiner was quoted as lashing out at Collins during a scathing interview with The Sun, in which he branded her “lazy” and “mediocre”.

He told the publication: “I can always see who’s lazy. Gemma is lazy. She doesn’t look like her heart is in it at all. I do despair at the state of our society today and also the entertainment industry.

“When I grew up people were good at what they did. They were exceptional at something, so you were inspired by people on TV.

“Now we celebrate mediocre in this country. That, it seems, has become the new celebrity.”

Piers Morgan defended Collins on Good Morning Britain, branding Gardiner “inappropriate” and “unprofessional”.

Dancing On Ice continues Sunday at 6pm on ITV.