Dancing On Ice star Jason Gardiner has said that he and fellow show judges may row each week on the show, but insists that the bad feeling never continues behind the scenes.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, the caustic fashion expert commented on the frequent clashes between judges after performances. He said:

“Well, sometimes we gel. At other times, the professionals on the panel have been far too precious. That’s when we’ve clashed.

“Not that it worried me. Yes, it could get heated during the show but it very rarely continued when we got back to the one dressing room we all share.”

The judge hailed fellow pannellist Robin Cousins as “one of the greatest male figure skaters of all time”. He added that he respects Emma Bunton because she “knows what it is to perform” and he is “getting to understand” Nicky Slater.

On Karen Barber, who is rumoured to be romancing Christopher Dean, Jason said: “She judges from the heart, which is why you get the tears from her. I’m never going to agree that because someone’s been working hard all week, it means they should be marked up. You’d hope everyone’s been working hard.

“Better, in my opinion, to judge each contestant on that evening’s performance.”