A roasting from judge Jason will not cut any ice with us
PRO PARTNER WORRIES FOR SAIRA’S CONFIDENCE Skater Mark set for war of words
Dancing On Ice pro skater Mark Hanretty says he is gearing up for a roasting from judge Jason Gardiner when he takes to the rink tonight with Loose Women partner Saira Khan.
The 33-year-old, of Erskine, Renfrewshire, expects the show’s Mr Nasty will rip them apart after his vicious critiques of celeb skaters Didi Conn and Gemma Collins on last week’s show.
Mark, who partnered Donna Air on the hit ITV show in 2018, said: “I’m scared about what Jason Gardiner is going to say to Saira.
“I know he is going to rip us apart and I have warned Saira but luckily she is a strong woman and should be able to take it.
“I keep going over and over in my head what I will say to Jason if he gets personal.
“Constructive criticism is fair enough but if we are to skate again I don’t want him knocking Saira’s confidence completely.
“Our aim is to avoid the skate-off. It’s going to be very tough as this week’s skaters are stronger than the six who danced last week.”
The dad of two added: “Saira is very nervous as she is out of her comfort zone and skating is something she has no control over.
“She is such a strong businesswoman and is eager to do well but no matter how hard she prepares for this she is going to be exposed.
“Karen Barber has said she is the most improved of the bunch but when you see the VTs you realise she was the weakest of them all to begin with.”
Mark, married to skating instructor Kathy, 40, admits he was appalled at Jason’s rude comments to Grease legend Didi Conn – claiming she had dined out on her fame for years. He said: “I could not believe how toxic Jason’s comments to Didi were.
“I’m not a TV producer and I realise he is playing the panto dame role which does get him attention but he needs to remember that the contestants are all human beings.
“Didi is 67 for goodness sake and she put on a decent show and as for his comment about dining out on Grease – that was totally uncalled for. She’s a massive star in Broadway in her own right.
“I tend to agree with the content of Jason’s critique. It’s just his delivery I have a problem with and what he said to Didi didn’t resonate and made me feel very uncomfortable.”
Mark, a two-time British bronze medallist, says if he was a betting man he would put his money on ex- St r ict ly dancer James Jordan and Love Island star Wes Nelson to make the final.