Dancing on Ice fans were left shocked on Sunday when hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield probed Joey Essex about his ‘romance’ with Vanessa Bauer again.
Phil, 60, asked Joey about the romance rumours at the end of his routine after the former TOWIE star said he had ‘fallen in love’ on the show.
Joey clarified he meant he had ‘fallen in love with ice skating’ but it made Phil and Holly giggle.
Viewers flocked to Twitter, with one writing: ‘I wish Phil stopped digging to get Joey to announce his relationship with Vanessa.’
‘If they don’t want to talk about it, leave it at that you wet wipe.’
‘If they don’t want to talk about it, leave it at that!’ Dancing on Ice fans slammed hosts Holly and Phil on Sunday as they probed Joey Essex AGAIN about his ‘romance’ with Vanessa after he said he’s ‘fallen in love’ on the show
Another added: ‘The way they’re trying to force a showmance with Joey and Vanessa. Just let them be.’
One tweeted: ‘Why are they trying to push this showmance between Joey and Vanessa? So awkward.’
Joey and Vanessa performed a paso doble routine and at the end of the routine Joey said: ‘I’ve fallen in love… with ice skating.’
Phil then added: ‘Anything else?’
Joey quipped back: ‘No, just skating!’
However, the presenters were subsequently slammed by viewers for being ‘totally inappropriate’, ‘disrespectful’ and leaving Vanessa visibly ‘uncomfortable’.
Phil, 60, attempted to coax the former TOWIE star, 32, and his professional partner, 26, into revealing whether they were an item or not, before Holly, 41, announced the pair as as ‘Joey Essex and his skating-slash-real life partner Vanessa’.
Joey and Vanessa performed a paso doble routine and at the end of the routine Joey said: ‘I’ve fallen in love… with ice skating’
Viewers flocked to Twitter, with one writing: ‘I wish Phil stopped digging to get Joey to announce his relationship with Vanessa’
Couple? Last week, Joey seemingly confirmed rumours of a relationship with Vanessa Bauer during Sunday’s Dancing On Ice, after being grilled by hosts Holly and Phil
It came after The Sun reported Joey and Vanessa had been ‘super flirty’ during rehearsals – before the pair each shut down claims of a relationship.
During the latest instalment, in which they dressed as Grease’s leading characters, Holly said: ‘You’re like a real life Sandy and Danny out there, have you got something you want to tell us, you two?’
Joey cheekily replied: ‘Danny and Sandy are getting on pretty well, if you know what I mean,’ before Holly asked if they’re ‘going steady’.
The reality star responded, ‘Of course, always steady,’ while Vanessa looked mortified.
When Phillip pressed, ‘Are you confirming this?’ Joey said, ‘I’m not confirming anything,’ while holding his hands up.
Response: Joey cheekily replied: ‘Danny and Sandy are getting on pretty well, if you know what I mean,’ before Holly asked if they’re ‘going steady’
It comes after both Vanessa and Joey have played down rumours of a romance blossoming between them as they compete on Dancing On Ice together.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain recently, he said: ‘I’m single, Vanessa’s single. We go to the ice every day, it’s cold, do you know what I mean?
‘We’ve got to keep each other warm! But yeah, it’s all good.’
Meanwhile, Vanessa admitted that they are ‘having a lot of fun’ but shut down any rumours of a romance between herself and Joey.
DANCING ON ICE 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
PATSY PALMER
AGE: 50
PROFESSION: Actress and DJ
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve turned it down before because I was terrified, but when I turned 50 I made a pact to get out of my confront zone. ‘
EKIN-SU CULCULOGLU
AGE: 28
PROFESSION: Love Island star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve got some amazing news to tell you. I’m so excited, I can’t wait to get myself on the ice and skate. Stay tuned and see you on the ice.’
MOLLIE GALLAGHER
AGE: 24
PROFESSION: Actress
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve not got the best coordination so when people find out they will laugh, but I don’t want to spend my life saying “I can’t do this, I can’t do that.”
JOEY ESSEX
AGE: 32
PROFESSION: Ex TOWIE star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited. I wanted something in my life with structure and it’s more serious than what I usually do.’
CARLEY STENSON
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Actress and West End star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited that I get to learn how to dance…on ice! I’m terrified but can’t wait – I just want to make the most of this whole experience.’
SIVA KANESWARAN
AGE: 33
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I want to learn how to skate and make my family proud of me and put on a show for everyone to see.’
JOHN FASHANU
AGE: 60
PROFESSION: Former footballer and pundit
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I am definitely in it to win it.And this may be one of the scariest things I’ve ever signed up for but I couldn’t be more ready for the challenge!’
NILE WILSON
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: Olympic gymnast
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve not done much ice-skating but I am so excited for the opportunity. I’m so excited to get into that routine and to feel like an athlete again.’
JAMES LEE WILLIAM AKA THE VIVIENNE
AGE: 29
PROFESSION: Drag queen
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘To be the first drag artist to take part in one of the big UK reality competition shows is an honour and a big step forward for queer representation on TV.’
DARREN HARRIOT
PROFESSION: Comedian
AGE: 34
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve got giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance. My family has already made bets – they’re making bets that I’ll fall on the first episode!’
MICHELLE HEATON
AGE: 43
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve always wanted to do it but I know I would never have been able to complete anything because of the way I was 18 months ago, so I’m really truly grateful that I’ve got it this year when I’m a lot stronger.’