Matt Evers has said he told his Dancing On Ice partner Gemma Collins to be “careful” about what she responds to the judges’ criticism before her row with Jason Gardiner on the show.
During Sunday night’s show, the TOWIE star accused Jason of “selling stories” about her as he gave her a low score for her performance and he branded her a “brat”.
Speaking on Heart Radio on Monday, Matt admitted he was “shocked” by Gemma’s outburst.
It caught everyone by surprise last night on #DancingOnIce, even @TheMattEvers didn’t expect it! pic.twitter.com/e3kDnjp7Bo
— Heart (@thisisheart) 21 January 2019
Read more: Holly Willoughby throws shade at Gemma Collins after DOI row
He said: “We had actually discussed right before we went out to skate what we were going to do with the judges’ comments and reactions.
“I had to reiterate to her that you’ve got to be careful when you’re stood up there. You don’t want to disrespect people who have been rightfully put in that place.
“I was surprised when she [initially agreed with the comments], but I think Jason just kept picking away at it and then when she went [off] I just went, ‘oh god no, what are you going to say? Just be careful.'”
Matt continued: “To be fair to her, she did take Jason’s comments on board in regards to the performance but when it went into the whole ‘don’t sell stories on me’ I was just like, ‘that’s the truth and that’s how you feel’ but you have to be careful sometimes when you’re live on air that you just don’t look silly.
“It shocked me a little bit but hey, it’s Gemma Collins.”
However, Matt defended Gemma’s outburst.
He said: “First and foremost, I will defend Jason. Yes, there wasn’t a lot of content… we didn’t have a lot of rehearsal time with her this week.
“She respected that, however, word has it he sold some stories and she went for gold.”
He continued: “When it comes to Dancing On Ice, you have a choice to go through ITV press office to release interviews and statements etc. It’s in house.
“ITV came to us, as she was really upset by it, to say that it came from Jason himself. It sounds like [he has been selling stories on her].”
The drama unfolded last night when Jason criticised Gemma’s Marilyn Monroe inspired performance.
He told her: “I know you were channelling Marilyn Monroe… There wasn’t any elegance like you were saying in the VT. She has to be elegant.
“She is a woman in control of her femininity. You were all over the place hun.”
“And as Ashley said, there’s not enough skating. This is your second skate now. You need to up the ante.
“We’re not going to see big lifts from you. We’re not going to get any impressive moves.”
Read more: Gemma Collins lets rip at Dancing On Ice judging panel
However, before he could continue, she interjected and fumed: “Can I just say one thing? Maybe if you didn’t sell stories on me, I wouldn’t have been so upset this week.
“So take that! Boring, boring! Don’t sell stories on me.”
However, Jason fought back too, telling the television personality: “This doesn’t help your cause. It shows you’re just a brat. Listen to what we’re saying.”
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