‘I’m proud that we did something important’

DANCING On Ice judge Ashley Banjo has revealed his controversial Britain’s Got Talent performance caused “division” within his family and led to some friends no longer speaking to him.

Ashley suffered public abuse following the dance routine last year in support of the Black Lives Matter movement with his Bgt-winning group Diversity.

The performance featured dancers dressed as police officers carrying riot shields. Broadcast watchdog Ofcom received more than 24,000 complaints but did not uphold them.

Ashley revealed there had been a

“division in conversation”, even regarding family and friends. Speaking ahead of tonight’s show, he said: “I see a division in conversation, even within my family and friends, the performance sparked conversation.

“And I think silence says a lot. There are people I know personally who I know would talk to me, would mention our performance, be a friend. But, funnily enough, we haven’t spoken.”

But the 32-year-old added: “I’m proud and privileged we got the opportunity to do something that felt important.

“Out in the real world there’s a lot of love and support.”

Meanwhile, controversy of a different kind has surrounded Dancing On Ice contestant Graham Bell, after he put his first skating partner in hospital.

Graham has now been told his current replacement professional dancer is his last.

The Ski Sunday presenter accidentally slashed his first partner Yebin Mok with his skates in a “freak accident”. Her place has been taken by Karina Manta.

Asked if ITV had another standby partner, he replied: “No, that’s it! I can’t hurt Karina, as well. I’m being ultra, ultra careful. But it was a freak accident. In my training with Karina we’ve hardly fallen at all.”

And the former Olympic skier said things can only improve from here.

“There is so much that can happen in this show.

“I’m hoping I’ve had my worst moment in hurting Yebin.

“When you’re clutching your partner’s leg and you’re holding her leg together with pressure on the wound, there’s not much further down you can go.”

His Dancing On Ice appearance tonight will go up against Ski Sunday on BBC Two. Would he be dancing to the famous Ski Sunday theme? “Well, I could be. I do know it very well.”

And he is also pitching for local support. “All of Henley, I hope, is backing me,” he said. “Friends of mine are putting out posters, saying ‘Vote Graham’!”

Dancing on Ice, tonight, 6pm