Gemma Collins RETURNS to Dancing On Ice by being lowered onto the rink in a diamond hoop

She appeared on the 2019 series with pro skater Matt Evers, but she suffered a nasty fall during a performance and was eliminated in the sixth week. 

And Gemma Collins made a spectacular return to Dancing On Ice on Sunday evening as she was lowered into the rink from a glamorous diamond ring hoop.

However, the former TOWIE star, 39, faced backlash from viewers for travelling during lockdown to make a brief appearance on the ITV show. 

The blonde sensation nevertheless dazzled in a pearlescent fishtail gown, complete with feather cuffs and a matching pink turban. 

She sported her luscious locks in a loose wave and rocked glamorous make-up as she said on the show: ‘Phil I’m so happy to be here this evening, it’s amazing to be back.’ 

Fans were expecting her to take to the rink and perform again, but were left disappointed as she was merely there to announce that this year’s competition has a jackpot of £120k. 

One Twitter user responded to her appearance: ‘@Dancingonice having #gemmacollins at the show isn’t really essential travel is it Holly and Phil could just announce it themselves’.

A second viewer quipped: ‘Was Gemma Collins journey to studio really necessary Don’t need any additional people in the bubble’. 

A third Twitter user shared an eye rolling GIF as she expressed her disdain for the star appearing on the show amid the pandemic. She said: ‘I tell you what isn’t an essential journey…..Gemma Collins on dancing on ice……’

Current lockdown rules instruct citizens to stay inside except for necessary outings such as travelling to and from work, or shopping for essential food. 

However, some Dancing On Ice fans praised Gemma’s surprise arrival as one penned: ‘Whatever you think of Gemma Collins, no one can deny that she’s entertainment personified.  

‘There’s a reason the #DancingOnIce ratings dropped 2 MILLION viewers the week after she was eliminated from her series✌GC is the QUEEN of television @missgemcollins’.

The Twitter user also shared a GIF from the 2019 series where Gemma delivered a Marilyn Monroe-inspired performance in a pink gown. 

After her skate routine, she famously hit back at judge Jason Gardiner after he critiqued her skating. 

The judge, 49, compared the Essex star to Anna Nicole Smith instead of the ’50s icon, leading the blonde star to hit back and call him ‘boring’ while accusing him of selling stories to the press. 

Her stint on the ITV show wasn’t short of drama despite being eliminated in the sixth week, as she suffered a painful fall during a performance.   

The star reflected on the tumble when she returned for the show’s Christmas Special in December 2019, saying: ‘I remember thinking, ”I’m nearly at the end, I haven’t fallen yet, this is a miracle, maybe I’ll stay in for one more week.”

‘I got so excited, I just went too over the top with my movement, which you’re not allowed to do in ice skating and my toe pick got caught – and bang. I thought I was dead. I literally thought I was dead.’

The Diva Forever personality said her partner Matt, 43, encouraged her to recover from her fall.

She elaborated: ‘And Matt was going: “Get up! Get up! Get up!” And then I just got up and I was just like: “Oh no, my life’s over.”‘