Dancing On Ice professional Hamish Gaman has insisted that his job is to "protect" celebrity partner Faye Brookes as the judges push the former Coronation Street star to do even more daring skating performances.
Four stars have already pulled out of the competition, three due to injury, as this year's series proves to be its most perilous yet.
Last week, Billie Faiers became the latest star to pull out after suffering concussion after falling on the rink during rehearsals.
Despite receiving overwhelming praise from viewers over her Swan Lake performance on Sunday, she was hit with criticism from the judges - with Ashley Banjo claiming it "looked too easy".
Fans reacted with fury to the comments, but Faye has insisted that they had lit a "fire under her belly".
Speaking to Lorraine today, she said: "It's put a fire in my belly this week! I'm exhausted, I'm not going to lie. This is the most difficult challenge I've ever taken on in my whole entire life.
"But that fire in my belly just gives me that determination to be better and I suppose that's probably what they're getting at."
Hamish added: "I think they're just trying to get at what they see and what I see. Obviously I've got to protect Faye - it's a really dangerous show. So it's about walking that line of risk-reward.
"But they know what they're talking about. We're here to listen and learn and be better each week."
Rufus Hound pulled out last week after receiving a positive Covid test, while Denise Van Outen was only able to perform once after fracturing and dislocating her arm.
Professional Yebin Mok was the first to pull out after an accident saw a skate blade stab her leg.
To celebrate Valentine's Day this weekend, Dancing On Ice will paying tribute with a 'love stories' special - and Faye and Hamish will be recreating Prince William and Kate's romance on ice.
Faye confirmed that she was in the "full wedding dress" and that Hamish would be in the coat.
"The wardrobe department is incredible," Hamish gushed, but was left a little disturbed over a mock-up photo aired on screen of the pair's faces on Kate and William's. "We're not going to look like that."
"You do look lovely together," Lorraine said. "But we're not going there! It's not Strictly Come Dancing!"
*Dancing On Ice airs Sundays at 6pm on ITV
