DANCING on Ice judge Ashley Banjo has hit back at claims the ITV show is fixed but admits it IS a popularity contest as he launched his fab new clothes range for Peacocks.
The Diversity star has been a hit on the star-studded panel alongside Strictly’s Oti Mabuse, and skate legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
Ashley Banjo has launched Approved, his new fashion collection for Peacocks
He has reassured fans the show is not fixed
Dancing on Ice is renowned for its glitzy line-up of stars from Hollywood legends, music giants, TV and sporting heroes, some who fans reckon have stayed on the show longer than expected.
Ashley reassured fans all was above board at the launch of his stylish clothes range Approved, where Love Island’s Teddy Soares and Ron Hall partied alongside Diversity’s Perri Kelly at Notting Hill’s plush Los Mochis restaurant.
BAFTA winning BGT star Ashley told The Celeb Report: “It’s not fixed, because that would be illegal. Of course it is partially a popularity contest – it’s not the olympics. People vote for who they like. It’s about people developing. Using a skill to express your performance.”
Meanwhile Ashley and Perri have revealed Diversity are set to return to the ITV show for an epic performance later this series.
Dance group Diversity who won the talent competition back in 2009, have returned to the show each year with a special performance.
This year looks to be no different – with Perri confirming that they have no plans to “break tradition” and have been asked by show bosses to return once again.
Speaking exclusively to The Celeb Report, Ashley said: “I was at rehearsals with the boys and they were showing me some of the auditions. There is some amazing talent this year.
“There is a guy who set himself on fire, what is that about.”
While Diversity prepare to go back on the road for an epic tour in September, as well as gearing up for playing the Tin-man in The Wizard of Oz this summer in the West End, Ashley has been busy with his clothes range.
The edit includes polo and short co-ords, oversized tees, loungewear, chinos and breezy shorts in a neutral colour palette for head to toe tonal dressing including earthy greens, khaki, pale pink and onyx black.
Ashley said: “I’d love to see Barack Obama in it. That would be something. I’d send some to Simon Cowell, but not sure if he’d wear it though,” he smiled.
Ashley added: “Being a dancer, movement and style go hand in hand and I really wanted to reflect that in this new edit with Peacocks. I liked expanding my creativity into pieces that I thought reflected my style and vibe for the summer. After all the love and attention to detail that has gone into this collection I can’t wait to see people actually wearing it.”
Ashley Banjo: Approved is available online www.peacocks.co.uk and in over 340 Peacocks stores nationwide.
Ashley is on the panel for Dancing on Ice with Oti Mabuse ,Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean
He says it’s partially a popularity contest as fans vote for their favourites like Bez to stay in for longer
Ashley Banjo: Approved, is his sharp new fashion collection for Peacocks
The star opened up about his upcoming projects in a chat with The Celeb Report
Ashley shot to fame in dance troop Diversity on BGT and have gone from strength to strength
