Gemma Collins saves herself from Dancing on Ice fall and does the SPLITS – as fans blast Jason Gardiner for ‘cruel personal comments’

GEMMA Collins stunned viewers as she took to the Dancing on Ice stage last night and saved herself from a fall - but was still criticised by judge Jason Gardiner.

The Towie star tackled the ice with splits, kicks and even a head lift and in an impressive display saved herself from a fall as she threw her head too far back and risked hurtling over with it.

After her performance Gemma was thrilled she got through it and joked: "I got a bit carried away at the end bit. I threw in an head flip and I shouldn't have done it and nearly through us off."

The judges were mostly complimentary to her work ethic in the competition.

Christopher told her she had silenced her critics while Jayne added: "I enjoyed it, I'm really proud you got through it."

Ashley Banjo was also thrilled with Gemma telling her: "Gemma you're a ledge, I've got to be honest. You're here, you did it and you smashed the routine."

But the show's resident grump Jason Gardiner was cruel in his comments, telling her: "You talk a big talk but you don't back it up. It reminded me of a French and Saunders parody. This was uncomfortable to watch. You haven't got any technique."

Viewers were furious at Jason's personal comments towards Gemma.

One said: "I’m no Gemma Collins fan, she annoys the hell out of me, but why does Jason have to be so personal & cruel? It’s like he enjoys making other people look or feel small. It’s never constructive criticism. I wish they’d get rid of him. He ruins #Dancingonice"

A second tweeted: "Jason is vile there’s no need to be nasty @dancingonice I think Gemma did well tbf."

However, after the judges and public votes were combined, Mark found himself at the bottom of the board and will compete next week to avoid elimination.

Six celebrities took to the ice on last night's launch show.

Towie legend and diva Gemma Collins and partner Matt Evers did not perform to the Venga Boys as original planned but instead to Crazy in Love by Beyonce and Jay-Z.

X Factor runner-up Saara Alto and partner Hamish Gaman performed their routine to Lady Gaga's inspiring worldwide hit Born This Way

Coronation Street's Jane Danson also strapped up her skates with her friend and ice partner Sylvain Longchambon to Dean Martin's On The Street Where You Live.

Former Strictly professional James Jordan and partner Alexandra Schauman performed to I Won't Dance by Jane Monheit and Michael Buble.

Grease legend Didi Conn and Lukasz Rzycki took on Grease's own We Go Together for their debut performance.

Australian actor Mark Little and Brianne Delcourt skated to Men At Work by Down Under.

As ever Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield took up hosting duties for the evening which saw the public vote on the six celebrities performing.

The bottom one with both public votes and judges' scores combined will face the bottom celeb of the second group of stars performing next weekend.

Next Sunday Pussycat Dolls star Melody Thornton, Loose Woman Saira Khan and former Westlife singer Brian McFadden will compete against former cricketer Ryan Sidebottom, EastEnders Richard Blackwood and Love Island's Wes Nelson.

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