Matt Evers has revealed he turned to therapy to help him cope with the difficulties of this year’s series of Dancing On Ice.
The professional skater was partnered with Gemma Collins on the show, however, he was forced to defend her on several occasions after she received backlash from viewers throughout the competition.
However, Matt, 43, admitted the pressure of wanting Gemma to do well, the stress of the show and the trolling took its toll on his health.
Read more: Gemma Collins leaves fans confused with “odd” swimsuit snap
He told The Sun: “I was struggling. I told the producers it was all getting a bit too much and they made sure I got therapy. They arranged it right away. I had a couple of sessions.
“The stress of DOI and the Gemma trolling, and the pressure to do my best to bring out the best in her was a challenge.”
Matt said his struggles intensified when he started filming for The Full Monty – which raises awareness of cancer – when he was reminded of his late mum Cheryl Williams, who died of cancer in 1993 at the age of 37.
He added: “It brought up all these hidden emotions I had buried. Fortunately for me the show producers did look after me and were on it straight away to got me the help I needed.”
Gemma and Matt were the fifth duo eliminated from Dancing On Ice.
During their time on the show, Gemma continuously made headlines thanks to her clash with judge Jason Gardiner, falling face first onto the ice during one of her performances and for reportedly causing drama backstage at the show.
Matt repeatedly defended the former TOWIE star against backlash online and even revealed he was told by “industry professionals” to give up on her.
He tweeted last month: “I’ve been told by many industry professionals to give up on her. I refuse to give up especially when I see potential.
“This has fueled me even more. It’s not my job to care but I do.”
Earlier this month, Matt said Gemma was even threatened with a shovel by an online troll before the Dancing On Ice final.
Speaking to The Sun, Matt revealed: “Gemma has been so excited about getting back on the ice and told fans that nothing was going to stop her. Then one person wrote, ‘at least not a shovel.’
Read more: Matt Evers reveals Gemma Collins was threatened with a shovel by stranger before DOI final
“I wrote back straight away, ‘I hope this is not serious,’ and reported it to Twitter.
“It’s very scary to think there is someone out there who would want to physically harm her.”
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