Jason Gardiner has apologised and offered to give Gemma Collins a hug after likening her to a “refrigerator”.
During an appearance on Tuesday’s This Morning, Dancing On Ice judge Jason took another swipe at his skating nemesis as he appeared to compare Gemma to a fridge – a comment he later insisted was a “light-hearted joke”.
Gemma was hurt by his “upsetting” remarks and later accused him of “bullying” her.
Read more: Gemma Collins ‘pulls out of Dancing On Ice final after Jason Gardiner’s latest cruel jibe’
During an appearance on Heart Radio on Wednesday morning, Jason clarified his comments and denied it was a dig at her weight.
He said: “It was really to do with the GC part of it, because she has this alter ego – you know, self-proclaimed GC and it’s really interesting.
“And every time I hear it, it makes me think of a white goods appliance.
“I was trying to make light of it really and just have some levity with it and because what I don’t like to do is constantly make this anything that it isn’t.”
When asked if his comment was aimed at Gemma’s weight, Jason replied: “Oh God no!
.@officialJasonG opens up about his ‘bullying’ comments towards @missgemcollins #DancingOnIce 🤔👀 pic.twitter.com/rqqhmRkciy
— Heart (@thisisheart) 6 March 2019
“And if people are taking it that way, look I’m really sorry – it was just a way of just diffusing any tension and making light of the situation and the GC part of her persona.
“If she needs a hug, I’ll give her a hug.”
It comes after Jason’s comments on yesterday’s edition of This Morning.
Speaking about all the eliminated contestants coming back for the final, host Phillip Schofield told Jason: “Gemma’s back. The GC.”
Jason replied: “Who? Oh, I thought that was a refrigerator.”
After fans accused him of ‘body-shaming’ Gemma, Jason hit back on Twitter: “I was not calling Gemma a refrigerator it was meant as a light hearted joke when Phillip said the ‘GC’ which sounds like a white goods brand. What has happened to having a SoH?”
Meanwhile, Gemma took to Instagram to accuse Jason of “bullying” her.
She wrote: “I’m really tired of being BULLIED by this man…. I wish you would stop….. it’s very very upsetting and hurtful let it go Jason stop bullying me ENOUGH is ENOUGH.
“I won’t be bullied any more making me feel uncomfortable to come back to the final on Sunday!”
Read more: Gemma Collins accuses Jason Gardiner of being a bully after he likens her to a ‘fridge’
She added: “I was looking forward to Sunday but won’t be anywhere near someone who’s BULLYING me…. this is NOT ACCEPTABLE on any level comparing any human to an electrical appliance is not acceptable #STANDUPTOBULLIES.”
It was later reported by The Sun that Gemma has pulled out of Sunday evening’s final of Dancing On Ice over Jason’s comments.
The finale will air this Sunday on ITV at 6pm.
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