FORMER Dancing On Ice star Suzanne Shaw has blasted the ITV series for 'wasting NHS resources' during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Hear'Say singer, 39, weighed in on the backlash the show has faced after several celebrity contestants and professional skaters ended up in A&E due to skating-related injuries.
Agreeing the public's criticism, Suzanne, who won the 2008 instalment of the skating show, wrote in her Closer Magazine column: "Our NHS is already struggling under the strain of the pandemic…
"So does it help if people are heading into hospital because of injuries created by an entertainment show?
"I can understand the public backlash DOI got over that. I love the show, but I hope it doesn't take up any more of the NHS' time."
Earlier this month, viewers slammed the figure skating show for overwhelming the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic – despite the show having an on-site medic and physiotherapist.
In Sunday's premiere episode, telly fans saw how multiple competitors – both celebrity and professional skaters – were rushed to A&E after suffering horrific injuries in rehearsals.
Early in the show former Olympic skier Graham Bell, admitted he feels “so guilty” after partner Yebin “lost a chunk of her leg” when he fell over and cut her.
American skater Yebin, 36, was badly injured when Graham's skate stabbed her in the shin.
Footage showed Yebin being dramatically carried off the ice on a medical stretcher and the injury has forced her off the ice for the foreseeable future.
Next, viewers watched as popular presenter Denise Van Outen dislocated her shoulder during rehearsals with pro partner, Matt Evers.
Denise fell to the ice as Matt fell heavily on top of her and she had to go to the hospital to ensure nothing was broken.
The 46-year-old actress refused to let her painful injury force her out of the competition, and viewers were blown away by her commitment as she performed on the season debut.
However, Denise has since been forced to quit the show due to her injury.
Finally, viewers grew more annoyed as the third horrific injury showed Rebekah Vardy accidentally slicing open the face of her partner Andy Buchanan.
Just days out from the show's premiere, Andy suffered a massive gash to his face as Rebekah's skate slashed him.
Dancing On Ice viewers were enraged the show would put any extra burden on the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic, calling it "irresponsible".
One Twitter user wrote: "UK Gov: 'don't put unnecessary strain on the NHS'. ITV: let's strap knives to celebrities' feet."
Another added: "it's a bit strange that they all keep going to casualty. A bit inconsiderate to the NHS at this time, surely."
And a third said: "Just watched first episode of Dancing On Ice. Two people had to go to A and E because of skating accidents. Our NHS is pushed to capacity at the moment. Surely skating isn't essential just now !!"
Dancing On Ice's premiere episode came after NHS England's top boss revealed someone is being admitted to hospital with coronavirus "every thirty seconds".
NHS England Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens refused to "sugar coat" the "staggering" figures as he warned both hospitals and staff are under "extreme pressure".
On January 17, he said there have been 15,000 more hospital in-patients across England since Christmas Day, adding: "Staggeringly, every thirty seconds across England another patient is being admitted to hospital with coronavirus."
Source: Read Full Article