James Jordan topped the Dancing On Ice 2019 leaderboard on Sunday after the first six contestants revealed their routines. The former Strictly Come Dancing pro, who left the BBC rival back in 2013, wowed the ice panel with his skate alongside partner Alexandra Schauman. However, some viewers claimed the 40-year-old has an advantage due to his dance training, which Neil Jones, 35, has now defended on Twitter. Ola Jordan’s husband was awarded an incredible 30.5 points from the judges, a whole 10 points more than the next competitor, Coronation Street’s Jane Danson.
Speaking out in view of his 52,000 followers, Neil started: “Wow people can I just say just because we can dance it doesn’t automatically make us great at figure skating.
“Every technique we have ever trained in goes directly out of the window as soon as you pop on the ice, so hats off to @The_JamesJordan for his performance #dancingonice.”
He was met with criticism from a few users, and happily responded, once again backing up his fellow dancer.
“He’s already a professional dancer so shouldn’t be too hard to transfer his skills on to ice,” one person remarked.
Neil then quipped, referencing his spouse: “U clearly haven’t watched @Mrs_katjones ice skate.
“The word bambi comes to mind. Dancing only helps with the music but is completely different to ice skating.”(sic)
“Wish you would of defended @ImAshleyRoberts this much,”(sic) someone else urged, referencing the Strictly 2018 contestant.
But, Neil did not take it lying down, tweeting: “I did defend @ImAshleyRoberts on Ittakestwo final week.”
When someone continued: “Hasn’t she had forms of dance training though as opposed to James who hasn’t had skating training?”
He quickly replied: “She never danced labrum or ballroom and it’s completely different to any other style. I’m a dancer, it doesn’t mean I can dance ballet.”
Ola, 36, posted: “Thank you guys for all your lovely comments. You can only imagine how proud I’m of my boy. @The_JamesJordan and @AlexandraLukasz. Thank you everyone for voting. Big Love.”
Neil then quipped: “I’m really impressed, he dances better on ice than on a dance floor jokes for those without a sense of humour.”(sic)
James had been up against half of the line-up, in the form of Saara Aalto, Gemma Collins, Didi Conn, Mark Little as well as Jane.
The only other male to perform found himself at the bottom of the leaderboard, with just 13.5 points.
It comes after bookmakers Ladbrokes made James their new favourite to win Dancing on Ice with odds of 2/1, followed by Wes Nelson (5/2).
Dancing On Ice 2019 continues Sunday at 6pm on ITV.