Louie Spence has promised to encourage the Dancing on Ice skaters after he took over from acid-tongued Australian Jason Gardiner on the ITV1 show. Jason caused controversy last year when he was accused of bullying former judge Karen Barber after telling her: "If your opinion still mattered, you'd be on the panel." Earlier, he had described watching former swimmer Sharron Davies dance as like watching 'faecal matter that won't flush'. Louie, who found fame on the reality show Pineapple Dance Studios, said: "I'm looking forward to being part of such a challenging and spectacular show and I can't wait to give my encouragement and critique on the contestants' dance and performance on the ice." He will join returning head judge Robin Cousins and double Olympic champion Katarina Witt on the panel and Karen also returns as head coach alongside Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean. Katarina said: "I can't wait to join the Dancing on Ice judging panel. As well as offering support and constructive advice to this year's celebrity skaters I'm also looking forward to working alongside my close friends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean." Dancing on Ice returns to ITV1 on Sunday, January 8.
