Jason: Ice celebs are so scared.. it’s funny
Acerbic judge on why viewers love him and bully claims offend him
DANCING On Ice judge Jason Gardiner says he is no bully – but admits he terrifies the celebs.
The acid-tongued Aussie has been accused of being too harsh on the ITV show and crossing the line with his cutting comments.
But the 46-year-old says the viewers love his frosty honesty.
He said: “They’re s***-scared. They absolutely are. It’s really funny to see them. They’re like deers in headlights.
“The public love it. They all say ‘Thank God for you, you keep it really interesting and we love your comments because that’s what we’re thinking at home’.”
Chiefs gave Jason a warning after a 2011 spat with dance coach Karen Barber prompted 3,000 complaints to watchdog Ofcom.
ITV was also urged to sack Jason in 2010 after he compared Olympic athlete Sharron Davies to “faecal matter” – and he was rapped in 2011 after telling Jeff Brazier he was “missing a couple of chromosomes”.
He remains unrepentant, saying: “I don’t regret anything I’ve said, even the Sharron Davies comment.
“It is only an entertainment show. I am there to give an opinion and I do give my honest opinion.”
Accusations of bullying have hurt Jason, who was targeted as a child.
He said: “That term, as someone severely bullied in my childhood, I know what bullying is like.
“So to actually discount what the real term bullying is and apply it to what I’m doing on a show, I think really is a disservice to young people now who are experiencing bullying.”
janine.yaqoob@trinitymirror.com