Rufus Hound responds to 'Dancing On Ice' critics: 'You were never going to be my friend'
Rufus Hound has responded to Dancing On Ice viewers who complained about his “political” comments on the show, saying it was unlikely they would ever have been his friends.
The comedian and actor called out the government for its lack of support over free school meal vouchers in his debut on the celebrity skating show, but while many fans cheered on his comments, some people complained about him bringing politics into the series.
After Hound won the show’s first ever golden ticket, a free pass to the next round of the competition, he told host Phillip Schofield: “We live in a world where the people we elect don’t want to feed hungry children – this is the least mad thing that has happened to me in a long time.”
Many viewers tweeted their support for his comments, which referred to politicians voting against extending the free school meals vouchers scheme, and the meagre food parcels that were sent out to vulnerable children last week.
But there were some who disagreed, saying he should not have brought political views into a light entertainment programme.
One tweeted: “Never heard of this Rufus Hound person. Sounds like a name for a dog to be fair. Politics don't belong in family entertainment!”
Another commented: “Well you’ve spoilt DOI by allowing Rufus Hound (who?) to spout rubbish against the Government, people are switching off in their 100’s. Politics shouldn’t be allowed in this sort of entertainment. Well done ITV.”
Now Hound has responded to his critics with a generous message that also thanked his many supporters.
Read more: Denise Van Outen manages ice debut despite dislocated shoulder
He tweeted: “To the people who want to be cross with me – you were never going to be my friend. I wish it were different, but such is the world we now live in.
“To everyone else, thanks for all your lovely messages. I will try to keep doing funny ice dances for you x”
To the people who want to be cross with me - you were never going to be my friend. I wish it were different, but such is the world we now live in.
To everyone else, thanks for all your lovely messages. I will try to keep doing funny ice dances for you x— Rufus Hound 💙 (@RufusHound) January 17, 2021
Many of Hound’s comedian and performer friends commented in support of him, including Danny Wallace, Marcus Brigstocke and Jan Ravens.
Wallace wrote: “Anyone cross with you for having fun, skating on ice, standing up for hungry kids... well, they'd be cross with a lollipop lady. x”
Hound shared his friend’s disbelief, replying: “Right?! It seems mental that the fact this government whipped its members to vote against feeding hungry children is necessarily party political.
“But, 2021 man. What a ride.”
Anyone cross with you for having fun, skating on ice, standing up for hungry kids... well, they'd be cross with a lollipop lady. x
— Danny Wallace (@dannywallace) January 17, 2021
Mate, you didn’t fall over, you danced a good dance and you said some good words. It’s all going terribly well.
— Jan Ravens (@thatjanravens) January 17, 2021
Your 4 second comment has been described as a ‘lecture’ on Twitter. 😂
I mean SM has shortened my attention span but that takes the...
Oh look a ham.— Marcoooos! (@marcusbrig) January 17, 2021
Hound’s fans also responded to say they hadn’t seen anything wrong in his comments and think him for using his platform to make a necessary point.
One tweeted: “What you said is what a lot of us are already thinking. And to those who think that the show shouldn't be political need to learn that politics is EVERYWHERE! Keep being you!”
Another added: “Thank you for what you said. Not everyone loved it but the issue is being talked about again which is vital to create change. When feeding kids is seen as a radical left wing agenda you can see how far we’ve fallen.”
Watch: All the best moments from the first episode of Dancing On Ice