PHILLIP Schofield has defended Antony Cotton after he came under fire for pulling down his skating partner’s top live on Dancing on Ice.
The Corrie actor was seen yanking at Brandee Malto’s top as they wrapped up the first performance of the skating contest.
Those watching him skate to Wham's Club Tropicana were outraged by the move and took to Twitter to blast him.
But this morning, Phillip Schofield, who hosts the show alongside Holly Willoughby, defended the actor and explained what really went on.
Revealing it was in fact down to a prop error, he said: “One thing which was massive, it’s funny how people misunderstand.
"Antony got a bit of stick for looking down Brandee’s top.
“Well if you watch there is a note that dropped out of her top and at the end of the routine he was supposed to take it out of the top, looked for it. It’s not there. Being the showman that he is, he carried on.
“He wasn’t just randomly looking down her top. He was looking for the prop. That’s why it happened. There is no need to melt Twitter.”
During the show one person tweeted: “Why on earth did he just look down her top? Totally inappropriate.”
While another wrote: "Ummmm did this scumbag actually just look down his skating partners top?????????.”
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Judge Jason Gardiner was also confused by the routine, asking him: "I didn't understand the rest of the story. Were you a waiter or a gigolo?"
Antony received 15.5 in total as he kicked off the show and said: "I’m thrilled with that! I didn’t die and I didn’t kill Brandee!
“It’s been the most incredible journey! The first person I ever told about this show was one of my best friends Gaz who died last year.
"And his wife is here tonight. So that one's for you, Gaz."
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