DANCING On Ice fans have been left furious after claiming one of this year’s hopefuls was given a HUGE advantage over the others.
Eagle-eyed viewers took to Twitter to complain after noting that Rachel Stevens, who took to the ice for the first time over the weekend, “didn’t skate on her own”.
Rachel, 43, had to postpone her debut on the ITV skating show alongside professional partner Brendyn Hatfield after sustaining an injury.
Having taken a nasty tumble in the early days of training, the S Club 7 singer was advised to take some time out to recover before making a return.
The mother-of-two finally took to the ice for the first time over the weekend, and narrowly escaped being sent home after facing a skate-off against Ria Hebden.
Unfortunately for the Loose Women star, her routine failed to impress the judges, and she was sent home in the second week of competition.
Furious viewers quickly took to social media to blast the decision, including a number who slammed Rachel for having an unfair advantage.
Fans pointed out that while Ria “danced unaided” for much of her routine, they felt that Rachel was “permanently being held” up by her partner.
“Rachel didn’t even skate on her own, not watching any more. Bye Dancing On Ice,” one angry viewer lashed out in a scathing tweet.
Another agreed: “Ria danced unaided, Rachel permanently in hold,” as a third chimed in: “In hold most of the routine and not much content.”
“What is happening? Ria can actually skate and Rachel held on and was pulled around the ice. Results like that put people off watching,” a fourth concluded.
It comes as Rachel’s ex Jeremy Edwards backed her to win the skating competition as he gushed she is “very talented” after her first performance.
The former Hollyoaks star started dating the S Club 7 singer in 2000 – and the couple were due to be married two years later after he popped the question.
He told New! magazine: “I want Rachel to win because she isn’t a trained dancer.”
“She was never into skating, not as far as I know,” the actor went on. “She was, and is, a very talented girl, and she looks great.”
Rachel and skating star Brendyn performed their highly-anticipated first routine on Saturday night to Moulin Rouge hit Lady Marmalade.
Last week, the mother-of-two said she was keen to don some skimpy outfits for her upcoming routines to show off her physique, which is more toned than ever.
Rachel said: “I really know my body now. I know what suits me and what doesn’t. That really helps going into something like this — and the creative team are so open.
“Now I definitely feel more toned. Getting in my costume for the first time I was like, ‘This is so much fun!’ But you’ve also got to feel confident.”
