Former Dancing On Ice champion Jake Quickenden has called out this year’s judges for “overmarking” Hollyoaks star Carly Stenson.
The reality star and actor tuned into Sunday night’s skating competition alongside the rest of the UK to get a first glimpse at the second batch of celebs taking to the ice for the first time.
But he seemed to take exception to the judges – Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse – seemingly being too happy with their scorecards.
After Carly performed for the first time, dancing to Say You Love Me by Jessie Ware with pro Mark Henretty, the judges shot her to the top of the scoreboard by awarding her straight 8s – totally 36 out of 40 in the first week.
However, Jake – who won the show in 2018 with Vanessa Bauer – believes that was far too high a launchpad to start off the series.
“8 is far too high for a week one I’m baffled…. She [Carley] was brilliant but these scores seem mad high #DancingOnIce,” he wrote on Twitter, with fans quick to agree.
“I thought that too Jake. Beautiful but she didn’t let go of Mark throughout,” said one.
“I thought this,” said a second. “She was great but it is SO high. I wonder if they treat it like ‘this was an 8 for week one’ but if she did that skate in the final it would be a 6… dunno but it seemed high!”
However, others were quick to say she did support Carly, believing she did earn the high marks.
One responded to him: “For this weeks skates she was far the best overall skater and steady on lifts and all the moves. I think the acting pushed the scores up and I feel she deserved the score. The Vivienne was good but the routine seemed short in content.”
Jake later clarified the comment when another follower joked he “was just jealous he didn’t get those scores”.
“Ha no I just want them to be able to progress!!” he responded, before adding Carley was “deffo brilliant”.
Following their performance, Carley and Mark secured their spot for the next round.
Unfortunately, John Fashanu was eliminated after landing in the skate-off against Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu.
Dancing On Ice continues Sundays on ITV.
