ITV has issued a response after former Dancing On Ice contestant Caprice Bourret claimed the skating show has “no duty of care”.
Caprice decided to step down from Dancing On Ice earlier this month, after a much-publicised “parting of ways” from her skating partner, Hamish Gaman.
Following her exit, the American former model has now hit out at the show, suggesting they haven’t given her sufficient help after the show.
She told The Sun: “There is no duty of care. In America, they have to have it or they get sued.
“It’s just thinking about other people, it’s just common decency, I think, when it comes to these kind of destructive shows. We have to have a soul at some point for God’s sakes.”
Following this, ITV has insisted they “take [their] duty of care very seriously”.
They told HuffPost UK: “We have always been fully committed to ensuring that everyone involved on Dancing On Ice is fully supported.
“We are very proud of the brilliant team both on and off screen who deliver a fantastic show each week.”
A show source also said: “Like other shows of its type, Dancing On Ice is by its very nature a physical challenge.
“Celebrities have access to a psyche and are also offered counselling, as well as there being an on site physio and GP to cover both mental and physical wellbeing.”
Caprice and her former skating partner Hamish performed together only once on the show, after which it was revealed they had decided to “part ways”.
After a week off, Caprice then coupled up with new professional Oscar Peter, but after the pair wound up in the bottom two, it was confirmed she’d decided to quit the series to protect “her mental wellbeing”.
Her representative said at the time: “It’s true that Caprice is no longer participating in Dancing On Ice. It’s been a hard few months and she’s had to keep silent for contractual reasons.
“Her mental wellbeing has been affected over the last two months and recent stories leaked to the press are not only salacious but extremely hurtful. Now she’s taking some time to recover and look after herself and her family.”
Although the reasons behind Caprice and Hamish’s “parting of ways” remain unclear, an ITV rep previously dismissed reports that there had been “bullying” behind the scenes.
Hamish has since spoken out to reveal he’s had a particularly difficult time lately, describing the last three months as “the worst of his life”.
Dancing On Ice airs on Sunday nights on ITV.