Scared? I don’t care How coach Karen handles stars
Picture: MIKE MARSLAND/WIREIMAGE DANCING on Ice coach Karen Barber says she couldn’t care less if the celebrity skaters are scared of her – and claims she just ignores their tantrums.
The ex-Olympian says of stars like Brian McFadden and Gemma Collins: “I’m strict. We don’t have time to mess about.
“I give my time and effort and I expect it back. If the celebs are scared, then they are
– it doesn’t bother me.
“I don’t take any nonsense. I never raise my voice. It’s when I talk quietly people are worried.
“There’s no point going against what I say because you don’t know better.
“I’ll listen to your suggestion then go ‘no.’ That’s happened a few times. There’s no point dressing it up.”
With big personalities to whip into shape, mum-of-two Karen, 57, has her work cut out – but says they’ve been on their best behaviour for her.
“Brian is not a joker with me. Gemma is respectful, works hard and does what I ask of her. When she steps off the ice it’s none of my business.”
But after being on the receiving end of judge Jason Gardiner’s tongue lashings as a panellist in the past, Karen knows how Gemma feels after their spats on the ITV show.
“I saw that as two people having a difference of opinion,” said Karen. “That’s what a panel is for. What Jason says make a lot of sense. You like black, I like white. People aren’t going to always agree. Jason and I didn’t always agree. We had our moments, it lasted a while, relations weren’t good.
“But at the end of every show he comes up to me and says, ‘ Well done.’ I’m not used to that side of Jason!” This year’s series is being praised for the best skating yet.
Karen says she works well with fellow coach Christopher Dean – half of ice skating icons Torvill and Dean: “We think the same. We’re best friends.”
And she says her methods helped: “I handpicked the coaches and did learnto-skate videos. Everyone was on the same page. Good basics so then they can learn difficult tricks.
But Karen says she can’t predict the winner:
“You almost want someone to make a mistake to separate them.” scoops@sunday
mirror.co.uk
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