DANCING On Ice star Faye Brookes fears she’s ‘the new Caprice’ and coming off ‘like a villain’ after Hamish Gaman’s exit.
Pals of the former Corrie actress, 33, are concerned she has been portrayed as “desperate to win” after her pro partner Hamish’s shock exit from the show.
Faye fears she is being tarnished with the same brush as DOI contestant Caprice, 49, who was accused of ‘bullying’ Hamish last year.
It comes after the pro skater, who was originally paired with the former Coronation Street star, quit the competition through injury earlier this week.
A source told HOAR: “It’s quite upsetting. Faye’s hardworking, humble and not ‘desperate to win’ as she has been portrayed.
“Faye doesn’t complain and just gets on with the things she is given to do. So now she is coming off as desperate to win is just unfair.”
The source added: “Now Hamish’ departure feels a bit awkward to say the least among the cast and crew.
“She doesn’t want to get the ‘Caprice treatment’ and feels she is coming off badly after the Hamish split.”
Hamish quit the show last year after his relationship with Caprice became “strained” and they were accused of ‘bullying’ each other, which they both denied.
The fall out was catastrophic, with Caprice slamming ITV for “no duty of care,” a claim which they strongly denied.
The drama began earlier this week when the Sun revealed Hamish quit after a tense meeting with producers over the couple’s next performance.
Sources said Faye had feared the routine — based on a scene from 1990 film Pretty Woman — was too basic.
Hours later, ITV announced her injured pro skate partner was out.
The 37-year-old admitted he was “heartbroken” at having to leave the competition and praised his skating partner Faye as he broke his silence.
Matt Evers, 44, previously partner to Denise van Outen replaced Hamish and will skate with Faye when the series returns a week on Sunday after an injuries break.
Matt posted a picture skating for the first time with Faye – as he thanked the show for a “second chance.”
Denise sadly had to leave the show after she broke her shoulder in three places while training.
A very happy Matt took to Instagram to share a snap of the new dynamic duo getting ready for their debut on the ITV show.
Matt, who got evacuated from his hotel by the fire brigade on his first night partnering up with Faye in Manchester, told his followers: “Happy to get a second chance this series with another wonderful woman.
“@vanouten_denise we miss you and thank you @faye_brookes for being a delight to work with.
“We got a lot of work to do in 6 days! *zoom in to see our brilliant northern crew @amyorjimmy @brittmayers_.”
Followers flocked to the comments section to show their love and support for the pair.
