Gemma Collins on This Morning
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Gemma Collins admits she “regrets” spat with Jason Gardiner on Dancing On Ice

She said he's "only there to do his job"

Gemma Collins has admitted she “regrets” her spat with Dancing On Ice judge Jason Gardiner on the show.

Last month, the pair became embroiled in a row after he criticised her performance with Gemma accusing him of “selling stories” about her and Jason branding her a “brat”.

However, speaking on Monday’s This Morning, Gemma said she regrets her outburst but felt “embarrassed” when Jason “body-shamed” her.

Gemma Collins on This Morning
Gemma admitted she “regrets” her spat with Jason (Credit: ITV)

Read more: Dancing On Ice fans slam Jason Gardiner for ‘nasty’ dig at Gemma Collins

When asked by host Phillip Schofield whether she regrets the row, Gemma said: “Yeah, I do because he’s only there to do his job.

“I was fine with what he was saying about my skating. But I didn’t like it when he body shamed me and because that hurt me and I felt embarrassed that’s why I attacked back.

“When he went, ‘we can’t lift you’, [I thought] we know that Jason… I would love to have been spun around for a count of eight.

“But unfortunately I had to skate for all my counts of eight. I was exhausted at the end of it. I was breathless, my legs are killing me but it’s done me good as well.

Gemma accused Jason of “selling stories” about her (Credit: ITV)

“People can see I gave it a go. I am a bigger girl, I couldn’t do all the moves the others could do.”

She added: “I did stand my ground with Jason because there are girls out there who are bigger who don’t feel confident going to a gym or starting some form of exercise.

“I had to show people, do you know what? It is hard, but I’m going to get through this.”

Gemma and Jason have butted heads throughout the series, prompted when he said Gemma was channelling the late model Anna Nicole Smith instead of Marilyn Monroe during one routine, and she then accused Jason of “selling stories” about her.

Gemma Collins and Matt Evers on DOI
Gemma with her professional skating partner Matt Evers (Credit: ITV)

Jason later denied her allegation on Twitter.

Speaking on Monday’s edition of Lorraine, Jason admitted he’s “relieved” Gemma was sent home during last night’s show.

He said: “I’m relieved for the other contestants that are in the show who are really brilliant that now the focus can be on their merit and how hard they’ve worked.”

Jason added: “I didn’t know who Gemma was until this series, I’ve never seen her show so I wasn’t familiar with who she was, so there was nothing personal until it did get personal, and she accused me of something really quite libellous.

Read more: Gemma Collins eliminated from Dancing on Ice

“Actually it was disturbing because she never actually apologised either, so that to me shows real character.”

He said he does regret the focus on his rift with Gemma because the other contestants have been “blooming whilst all of this has been blooming going on”.

The star said: “I’m glad that now the contestants that we have in the show now are going to have their time to shine.”

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Rebecca Carter
Associate Editor (News)

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