Dancing On Ice fans slam show bosses for making Steve Redgrave look like ‘a joke’

DANCING On Ice fans have hit out at telly bosses and accused them of making one of this year's celebrity skaters look "a joke" and "a plonker".

Furious viewers of the ITV show slammed DOI after Sir Steve Redgrave, 62, made his debut in the rink.

The Olympic champ was partnered with professional skater Vicky Ogden and they performed a routine to the 1973 song Rock The Boat.

But they were both dressed in sailor costumes, with Steve - who is 6ft 5in tall - bizarrely wearing sparkly shorts teamed with blue and white stripy socks with his skates.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, disgruntled fans shared their annoyance after seeing Steve's first skate on the ice.

One wrote: "Oh silly outfit for Sir Steve. Don’t make him a joke. Everyone vote for Steve let’s mess up the show. They’ve set him up with that outfit."

Another added: "Sir Steve has been made to look a right plonker."

A third said: "Done Steve dirty there with that outfit."

And another fumed: "Omg wtf is this lol Steve Redgrave in them shorts."

Sir Steve is the oldest contestant to take part in this year's series of Dancing On Ice.

Despite fans' concerns, the retired sportsman - who is the most successful male rower in Olympic history after winning five gold medals - he isn't bothered about the costumes.

Earlier this month, Steve spoke to The Sun's TV Mag and admitted what he wears is 'the least of his worries'.

The dad-of-three suffers from diabetes and arthritis and said he is more concerned about his dance moves on the ice than sequins.

In fact, he had hoped his opening night ensemble would be "over the top".

Sir Steve said: "With the type of skating we’re doing, part of it is about being elegant on your skates, and that doesn’t come easy to me.

"When I first signed up, they said to me, ‘What about the sequins?’ That’s the least of my worries! I don’t mind that side of it.

"They mentioned about the spray tan when we had our first get-together. That was just after a holiday, so  I was reasonably well tanned.

"By the time we get to the first show, I’ll probably be pale just with the worry, so I’ll need some spray tan.";

He added: "I’m not sure how glammed  up I’ll be – I’m hoping it’s over the top. I just don’t want people to think that’s normally how I would dress!"

Steven and Natalie are among the second batch of celebrities to make their skating debut.

The pair scored a total of 17.5 from DOI judges Christopher Dean, Jayne Torvill, Oti Mabuse and Ashley Banjo.