Dancing On Ice head judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have revealed they had no choice but to ‘accept’ the fall out between Caprice Bourret and Hamish Gaman.
The Olympic champions, 62 and 61 respectively, broke their silence on the bitter feud between the model, 48, and the professional dancer, 36, ahead of Sunday’s semi-final.
The duo told how they didn’t ‘get involved’ in the row which saw Caprice accuse Hamish of ‘bullying’ her.
Speaking out: Dancing On Ice head judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have revealed they had no choice but to ‘accept’ the fall out between Caprice Bourret and Hamish Gaman
In an interview with The Mirror, the pair remained coy over the fallout of Caprice and Hamish breaking up their partnership.
Jayne explained: ‘We didn’t really get involved in it. We were told what was happening. So we just had to go with it and accept it.’
While Christopher added: ‘It was information passed on to us. It just sounded like they weren’t getting on. Caprice wanted to stay in the competition and that was the only way they could resolve it. So that’s what the producers decided to do.’
The pair also commented on the effect the feud had on the atmosphere of the show, with Christopher stating: ‘Everyone was, to begin with, asking, “What’s happening?” But now everybody’s really concentrating on their own performance and what they have to do. You’d be surprised – everyone needs to be somehow blinkered on what they need to do. They’re serious about trying to do their best so nobody really dwells on any distractions.’
Feud: The Olympic champions, 62 and 61 respectively, broke their silence on the bitter feud between the model, 48, and the professional dancer, 36, ahead of Sunday’s semi-final
While Jayne added that there has to be ‘equal respect and trust’ to make a partnership work and if couple’s not have that, they ‘don’t last long’ when it comes to competition.
MailOnline have contacted Dancing On Ice representatives for comment.
It comes after Caprice broken her silence over her time on the show, and accused bosses of not having a ‘duty of care’.
Speaking to The Sun about her decision to leave the show on Wednesday, the TV personality also claimed producers sided with her ex skating partner Hamish in the wake of their nasty feud.
Caprice, who quit the series earlier this month, told the publication: ‘There is no duty of care. In America, they have to have it or they get sued.
Keeping out of it: ‘We didn’t really get involved in it. We were told what was happening. So we just had to go with it and accept it’
Hitting out: Dancing On Ice’s Caprice accused the show of not having a ‘duty of care’ and claims bosses sided with ‘bullying’ Hamish on Wednesday
‘It’s just thinking about other people, it’s just common decency, I think, when it comes to these kind of destructive shows. We have to have a soul at some point for God’s sakes.’
She went on to claim the ice skating professional had been ‘bullying’ her but said she was grateful that people were ‘talking about’ what had happened, and added that she wouldn’t go on reality TV again.
A spokesperson for ITV said: ‘We take our duty of care very seriously. We have always been fully committed to ensuring that everyone involved on Dancing On Ice is fully supported and keep a close eye on everyone’s well being throughout the series.
‘We are very proud of the brilliant team both on and off screen who deliver a fantastic show each week.’
Drama: ”It’s just thinking about other people, it’s just common decency, I think, when it comes to these kind of destructive shows. We have to have a soul at some point for God’s sakes’
Feud: Caprice, who quit the series earlier this month, split with ‘bullying’ Hamish Gaman (pictured together in January) after just two weeks on the show
The spokesperson added: ‘We take allegations of bullying very seriously but found no evidence on Dancing On Ice and we strongly refute any suggestion to the contrary.’
Meanwhile sources added: ‘Like other shows of its type, Dancing On Ice is by its very nature a physical challenge…
‘Celebrities have access to a psyche and are also offered counselling, as well as there being an on site physio and GP to cover both mental and physical well being.’
Earlier this month, Caprice announced she had quit Dancing On Ice and hit back at her former pro partner Hamish after she made allegations of bullying behaviour against him.
During the feud: Caprice briefly skated with Oscar Peter on the show, before she decided to quit altogether to take ‘some time to recover’
The model’s rep told MailOnline at the time: ‘It’s true that Caprice is no longer participating in Dancing On Ice. It’s been a hard few months and she’s had to keep silent for contractual reasons.
‘Her mental wellbeing has been affected over the last two months and recent stories leaked to the press are not only salacious but extremely hurtful.
‘Now she’s taking some time to recover and look after herself and her family.’
On Sunday Hamish made his first appearance on Dancing On Ice since quitting the show the week before.
The dancer declared that he was having the worst time of his life following the aftermath of Caprice’s departure from the show.
He said in a statement just a week before: ‘The past three-and-a-half months have been the worst of my life, and I’m struggling. It might look like things have been calming down, but they aren’t’
Thoughts: Caprice claimed the ice skating professional had been ‘bullying’ her, but said she was grateful people were ‘talking about’ what had happened