Dancing on Ice professional Matt Evers has defended his skating partner Gemma Collins after she was taken to task for a lack of “professionalism” by host Holly Willoughby.
The pro skater cleared up rumours that the former TOWIE star had taken a “nap” during a dress rehearsal for the ITV show, after it was reported that Collins was left “devastated” by the claims.
“I’m currently on my way to work and she’s 15 minutes behind me,” Evers told Lorraine Kelly over the phone on today’s show. “Coming into the rink today, we have a double session planned. We had Tuesday off.”
“Gemma did not take a nap. We’re there first thing in the morning on Sunday. We do camera blocking, then a dress rehearsal,” he said, adding that the show’s busy filming schedule was enough to leave anyone “exhausted.”
Evers also explained why Collins left Sunday’s performance 15 minutes early, telling the presenter: “She got a text saying, ‘Your car has arrived.’ So she went. She asked someone first. I’m not sure who.”
Collins has since broken her silence on Willoughby’s comments, after it was reported that she was considering hanging up her skates after just one performance.
“Obviously I’ve been really devastated by all the hurtful press reports this week, which haven’t been true,” she told her Instagram followers.
“But I’m not giving up, I’m not quitting,” she continued. “I am here with the team. I’ve got the shakes where I’ve been so upset.
“Please don’t believe what’s being put out there. Do I want to quit because of all the press reports? Yes, but I’m not going to. It’s really got me down this week. I just want to be me.”
Dancing on Ice is on ITV, Sunday at 6pm
