Dancing On Ice fans were so hot under the collar during last night’s show, it’s a wonder the ice didn’t melt!
The cause of their anger was the performance given by rugby star Max Evans and his professional partner Ale Izquierdo – or, more specifically, the comments made either side of it.
Max and Ale have obviously hit it off since being paired up on the ice, and a lot was made of the “chemistry” between the two.
But some viewers thought the comments were wholly inappropriate, as Max has a GIRLFRIEND.
Prior to Max and Ale’s performance last night, a VT showed them training and speaking to the camera about how well they get on.
Max gushed: “I was buzzing after I met her. She’s a real little stunner and we’re going to have fun.”
Meanwhile, Ale said of Max: “You can tell there’s a connection there, and that we really like each other. He’s turning from a big gorilla into a beautiful, graceful gentleman.”
Then, after they’d skated to the Ed Sheeran track Perfect, the judges laid it on thick as they commented on how the duo have bonded.
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After presenter Holly Willoughby declared that Max and Ale’s performance was “very romantic”, Ashley Banjo grinned: “I don’t know what’s going on between the two of you…,” causing the audience to whoop with joy.
However, the viewers at home were less enthusiastic about the comments, as Max is dating Scottish dancer Lauren Jamieson, and some took to Twitter to express their disapproval [although one or two did seem to think that Max and Lauren are married].
One wrote: “How out of order of the judges to suggest something is going [on] with Max & his skate partner. He is married.”
Another slammed: “I’m not sure I’ve ever felt as sorry for anyone as I did for Max Evans’ wife there.”
And a third added: “I cringed when Ashley Banjo brought in the ‘showmance’ angle to Max and his partner. Please let’s not have the curse of Dancing On Ice following on from the curse of Strictly.”
The “chemistry” didn’t seem to do Max and Ale any harm, though, with the judges scoring them 21.5 out of a possible 40 – the highest score of the series so far.
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Former X Factor star Jake Quickenden and his professional partner Vanessa Bauer were the previous highest scorers, racking up 20.5 in last week’s show.
Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown and her pro partner Matt Evers were voted off the show this week.