Jason Gardiner has been called “disgraceful” by Dancing On Ice viewers who were unimpressed by his criticism of contestant Didi Conn.
The Grease actress, who at 67 is the oldest person in the competition, charmed viewers with a routine inspired by her famous film when the ITV show got under way on Sunday.
But the performance, to the Grease song We Go Together, did not win over judge Gardiner.
He suggested he felt “conned” by the performance, said Conn had been dining out on the song for decades and said she was “static and a little bit disjointed in places”.
His comments upset fans, who posted angry messages on social media.
“@TheDidiConn is a total pro. Disgraceful of @officialJasonG to make that odious comment. Come back to us Jason when you’ve had a career as long as she’s had,” said one person on Twitter.
@TheDidiConn is a total pro. Disgraceful of @officialJasonG to make that odious comment. Come back to us Jason when you've had a career as long as she's had. #DancingOnIce @torvillanddean
— Catherine Boland (@BolandCatherine) January 6, 2019
Another said: “Blantant (sic) insult towards Didi Conn,not constructive criticism Jason GardinerSo bloody rude Jason! To say you felt conned Jason is bang out of order! Beautiful Grease performance We Go Together @TheDidiConn and Lukasz Rozycki!”
Blantant insult towards Didi Conn,not constructive criticism Jason Gardiner🤔So bloody rude Jason! To say you felt conned Jason is bang out of order! Beautiful Grease performance We Go Together @TheDidiConn and Lukasz Rozycki! #DancingOnIce
— David (@DavidWa50046817) January 6, 2019
One person tweeted: “Oh my God! Jason was so bloody rude to Didi! I love him but ‘dining out on that song for years’ how bloody disrespectful!!
“That’s why @dancingonice signed her cos she is a legend – and as the oldest contestant ever, give her credit ffs!!”
Oh my God! Jason was so bloody rude to Didi! I love him but 'dining out on that song for years' how bloody disrespectful!! That's why @dancingonice signed her cos she is a legend – and as the oldest contestant ever, give her credit ffs!! #DancingOnIce #Jason #Frenchie @ITV
— Jill Barnett (@JillLBarnett) January 6, 2019
“Didi Conn needs an apology for Jason Gardner,” said one viewer.
“To say anyone has eaten out on any role when they doing it at 67 is appalling. #getsomerespect #jasonappologise #didiweloveyou.”
#dancingonice Didi Conn needs an apology for Jason Gardner. To say anyone has eaten out on any role when they doing it at 67 is appalling. #getsomerespect #jasonappologise #didiweloveyou
— James Baird (@Jrfbaird) January 6, 2019
Another posted: “Love Didi, thought she gone great for her first skate & if I look & have half the energy she has at 67 I’d be very happy – so what’s she’s “dined out” on that song from Grease, she’s still known 40 years on, what are you going to be remembered for in 40 years Jason?”
Love Didi, thought she gone great for her first skate & if I look & have half the energy she has at 67 I’d be very happy – so what’s she’s “dined out” on that song from Grease, she’s still known 40 years on, what are you going to be remembered for in 40 years Jason? #DancingOnIce
— Jo (@GellatlyJo) January 6, 2019
Dancing On Ice continues on ITV.