The Dancing on Ice judges often outshine the celebrities on the ice.
The judges have never strayed far from controversy, frequently clashing with the celebrities and professional skaters over their scores and criticism.
However, the most explosive rows have come when the judges have turned on each other in spectacular fashion.
Viewers have loved seeing blazing arguments between the judges, which are far more heated than those seen on Strictly Come Dancing.
From skating sensations to pop stars and even former contestants, the judges have come with varying credentials, which has also caused friction.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest judge scandals in Dancing on Ice history.
Jason faces Gemma’s wrath
It will go down as one of the most infamous moments in Dancing on Ice history.
Jason was embroiled in an epic slanging match with Gemma Collins live in the studio back in 2018.
Fed up of weeks of brutal comments, Gemma hit back after one of her performances by accusing Jason of “selling stories” about her to the press.
Gemma then accused Jason of "bullying" her and targeting her with "personal" comments.
Jason consulted his lawyers after Gemma’s allegations and vehemently denied her claims.
Jason announced he had quit the show in August 2019 in the wake of the Gemma Collins scandal.
Posting a video on Instagram , he revealed: "After all these years I feel it's time for me to say goodbye to my judging role and return to things I have been putting on hold and have been on the back burner for a while.
"To all of my DOI fans I really thank you for your support and encouragement over the years, I know we've gone through some controversies and I'm glad you got my unique judging style and honestly."
Jason’s heated clash with Karen
One of the most explosive rows in Dancing on Ice history was between a current and former judge live on air.
Karen Barber, who left the judging panel in 2011 to become head coach, stormed over to confront Jason Gardiner after his vicious remark.
Karen was left in tears by contestant Johnson Beharry VC’s performance and defended the star against Jason’s criticism.
However, Jason hit back by spitefully referencing the fact she had been replaced on the judging panel.
"If your opinion mattered you'd still be on the judging panel,” Jason nastily quipped.
Karen marched over to ask Jason to repeat his rude remark, then gave him a piece of her mind by saying he brought nothing to the panel.
Poor Holly Willoughby, who was pregnant at the time, was caught in the middle of the spat and had to calm them down.
"I just remember thinking, I'm standing here on my own having to deal with all of this and I'm pregnant,” said Holly last month.
Confessing there was little he could do, Phillip added: "There was nothing I could do to help you!"
John Barrowman favouritism
During his first series on Dancing on Ice, John Barrowman was accused of having ‘favourites’.
The fab-u-lous judge was seen parting behind-the-scenes with the show’s first ever same-sex pairing, Steps singer Ian ‘H’ Watkins and pro skater Matt Evers.
It was reported that others contestants were unhappy that John was spending time with the pair away from the ice.
The trio went out to dinner and headed out for a karaoke night together - with snaps being posted on Instagram.
“And the little one said..... Roll Over!!!! Fun and shenanigans with these last night!” Ian captioned an image of John sandwiched between him and Matt.
A revolt was brewing among some of the stars amid fears John’s impartiality may be compromised.
“It’s not on for the judges to be cosying up to the people they are meant to be judging. They’re obviously great friends so, of course, the fear is they will be treated more positively,” one insider told The Sun.
“There is a long series ahead and hitting the town with the judges opens up a minefield of problems.
“A couple of us feel as though it’s not in the spirit of a fair contest.”
Jason’s snipe at Karen and Chris
There is no love lost between Jason and Karen, who appear once again on this list.
Karen was reinstated to the judging panel in 2013, but the old rivalry with Jason emerged once again.
Jason hinted she had only got her judging role back because she was dating skating legend Chistopher Dean.
After 25 years of friendship, they started seeing each other after both splitting from their former partners.
When asked if he could have vetoed Karen’s return, Jason told the Daily Star: "Probably not.
"I mean it does help that she’s with a certain somebody who’s very influential, so I think my humble opinion wouldn’t really matter – but it was nice they consulted me."
Karen went on to slam Jason's jibe as "ridiculous" and claimed he had hit a new low.
"We’re never going to be friends, but saying things like that is low, even for Jason," she told The Mirror.
"To suggest my relationship with Chris has anything to do with my position on the show is pathetic.
"Jason and I don’t speak. We don’t see eye to eye, but I’m professional and I hope other people will be the same.
"The thing with Jason is he seems to enjoy intimidating people. But he needs to pick his battles because I’m not scared of him."
Ruthie appointment controversy
Theatre performer Ruthie Henshall, who was in the latest series of I’m A Celebrity, joined the judging panel in 2008.
Her appointment was marred in controversy as some critics pointed out she was the only judge without any actual ice skating experience.
However, the Cats and Chicago star pointed out that she was no there to cast judgement on the technical side of the performances.
"You've got quite a few people on the panel who are experts on the skating and I just don't think it only comes down to that,” she explained.
“I've had nearly 22 years in the business and so I really want to bring that experience of watching people doing very, very different shows; everything from Chicago to Cats.
"I'll really be looking at how people throw themselves into it and the kind of risk they're prepared to take. I don't mean a physical risk but not worrying about looking silly, whether they commit, whether they've taken criticism from the week before and advice and applied it. They have to learn from what everyone says and develop."
Ruthie left the show after two years and was replaced by Emma Bunton.
Nicky and Karen’s blazing row
Former skating partners Nicky Slater and Karen Barber got into a blazing row on the show in 2008.
The pair skated together for Great Britain for two Winter Olympics and they won bronze at the 1983 European Championships, but they weren’t always in harmony on the judging panel.
Karen slammed Nicky over his low mark for actress Suzanne Shaw in a clash which spilled over into the ad break
Afterwards, Nicky stood by his decision and accused Karen of being too sensitive with the contestants.
said: “Karen coaches the celebrities and spends a lot of time with them, so I think she gets too emotionally involved, whereas I find it easier to stay subjective.”
While Karen insisted: "I stand by what I said last week, Nicky gave Suzanne Shaw the wrong mark.
“I have every confidence in my ability as a judge. Let's see what he comes up with this week."
Louie Spence dropped
Pineapple Dance Studios star Louie Spence was the surprise new judge in 2011, replacing Jason Gardiner on the panel.
But he only lasted one series before Jason was brought back into the fold.
Louie claimed he was “kicked to the kerb” by show bosses when they dropped him from the panel.
"What can I say? I thought I was pretty fabulous myself but, no, I've been kicked to the kerb,” said Louie on This Morning.
“That's showbusiness. One day you're in, one day you're out. Dancing On Ice always change up their panel.
"I think it's a great idea because then they've always got different opinions.
“If you watch some of these shows, judges always repeat the same things year in, year out. I think having the change up is great."
