Michaela Strachan embroiled in ITV Dancing on Ice ‘hypocrisy’ row as fans complain over judges’ feedback
Michaela Strachan’s latest Dancing on Ice performance left fans scratching their heads as judges complained about her skating solo.
The host and naturalist is starring in the ITV competition show alongside skater Mark Hanretty, and despite impressing viewers at home, her feedback from the judging panel wasn’t all positive.
The presenter ended up with a strong score from the four judges, which consisted of Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Oti Mabuse and Ashley Banjo.
Each of them awarded her a score of 8.5 following her routine on Sunday, February 2, awarding the pair 34 out of a possible 40 in total.
Dean, 66, commented: “The song is about celebrating where you’re from, and you represented South Africa very well so thank you for that.”
He went on: “Mark’s choreography is very challenging and there’s a lot of steps on the beat – you have to be really in sync.
“And there were few places that you weren’t quite together, but you are keeping up with him.
“I like it when you’re more joined up, partnering more.
“There was a lot of solo skating which showed off your skating, and it’s great.”
Banjo seemed to disagree, stating: “It isn’t always intertwined and Mark is definitely not holding you up, but that’s because you are so good, you can skate next to him and can take all the moves and execute all the moves, which is a very, very rare thing.
“So just keep doing what you are doing, you are so capable.”
During Torvill’s feedback, she remarked: “Solo work -you weren’t always together in the previous weeks, everything has matched so well, so it’s more challenging for you and I would have liked to see more partnering this week.”
However, fans quickly noted that the celebrities are usually scolded for not venturing away from their skating partner enough.
Taking to X, one fumed: “The judging on the show is a joke. I swear they said to Michaela to do more solo skating last week but criticise her when she does? #DancingOnIce.”
“The women are BERATED by the judges and the public for not skating on their own but they’re telling Michaela she’s doing too much solo #DancingOnIce,” a second echoed.
Another shared: “Michaela can’t catch a break. She seems streets ahead of everyone else but the judges pick at everything she does. Is a woman in her 50s not an ideal winner for them or something or is it because she’s BBC #dancingonice.”
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“The judges really called out and penalized Michaela for SKATING TOO MUCH ON HER OWN?! Have the judges not see the s*** the women get online even when they do a reasonable amount of solo skating. I’m actually fuming right now…. #DancingOnIce,” another furious viewer wrote.
A fifth pointed out: “So Michaela does an amazing routine with lots of solo skating, and all the judges do is pick this apart and say they love it when there’s more partnering?? Get a grip, she was brilliant! #DancingOnIce.”
“Wish they’d make up their minds!!! #dancingonice,” another responded. (sic)