Jason Gardiner has publicly apologised to Gemma Collins after referring to her as 'a refrigerator' on Tuesday.
Appearing on Heart Breakfast with Jamie and Lucy on Wednesday, the Dancing On Ice judge back-tracked on his comments, insisting the term 'The GC' - which is Gemma's self-given nickname - reminds him of 'a white goods appliance', hence the fridge comparison.
'So you’re in no way suggesting a correlation between a refrigerator and Gemma’s size?' asked presenter Lucy Horobin. 'Because that’s how it’s being taken.'
That don't impress me much! Jason Gardiner has publicly apologised to Gemma Collins after referring to her as 'a refrigerator' on Tuesday
'Oh God, no!' protested Jason. 'It was really to do with the GC part of it, because she has this alter ego – you know, self-proclaimed GC and it’s really interesting. And every time I hear it, it makes me think of a white goods appliance.
'I was trying to make light of it really and just have some levity with it and because what I don’t like to do is constantly make this anything that it isn’t.
'If people are taking it that way, look I’m really sorry – it was just a way of just diffusing any tension and making light of the situation and the GC part of her persona.'
Jamie Theakston then asked: 'Will you make up when you see her at the weekend [at the Dancing On Ice final] if she’s there?'
Bitchy: 'I was trying to make light of it really and just have some levity with it and because what I don’t like to do is constantly make this anything that it isn’t,' Jason reasoned
Back-track: Appearing on Heart Breakfast with Jamie and Lucy on Wednesday, the Dancing On Ice judge went back on his comments, insisting the term 'The GC' - which is Gemma's self-given nickname - reminds him of 'a white goods appliance', hence the fridge comparison
To which Jason replied: 'Sure. If she needs a hug, I’ll give her a hug.'
This explanation comes after Jason took to social media to attempt to explain his typically-catty remark, after Gemma accused him of 'fat-shaming' her and vowed to drop out of Sunday's live final - at which she is set to take to the ask once more with her fellow eliminated contestants.
'I was not calling Gemma a refrigerator it was meant as a light hearted joke when Phillip said the "GC" which sounds like a white goods brand. What has happened to having a SoH?' he posted, on Twitter.
Jason had been mid-interview on This Morning when he made the original comment.
Get over it! Judge Jason made the remark, despite insisting he is 'over' their feud and that he 'doesn't hold a grudge', while on This Morning this week
Hitting back: 'This is NOT ACCEPTABLE on any level comparing any human to an electrical appliance is not acceptable #STANDUPTOBULLIES,' Gemma raged
Something to say: Gemma's professional skating partner, Matt Evers hit back at Jason shortly after the interview on Twitter
Despite insisting he was 'over' their feud and that he 'doesn't hold a grudge', he replied 'who?' when hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield mentioned that 'The GC' would make a return for one last skate at the weekend.
The judge then said of Gemma: 'Oh I thought that was a refrigerator.'
He added: 'I'm over it. I don't hold a grudge, I don't really know the woman. And in one final there are enough things to be worried about.'
Gemma briskly took to Instagram to post: 'I’m really tired of being BULLIED by this man .... I wish you would stop ..... it’s very very upsetting and hurtful let it go Jason stop bullying me ENOUGH is ENOUGH.
Feud: Gemma and Matt were famously eliminated from the show in week six, but she and Jason were at loggerheads
