‘Dancing On Ice’ professional Alex Murphy is "proud" of Gemma Collins.
The 30-year-old skater – who is partnered with Brian McFadden on this year’s show – admitted she has come under "scrutiny" because of her own curvy frame and she feels emotional watching the ‘Only Way is Essex’ star perform with Matt Evers because she thinks the blonde is inspirational.
She said: "I am so proud of Gemma. She is really a great person and she did such a good job on Sunday.
"She fell in the dress rehearsal. She fell and fell and fell. But she kept herself going. She got up and got on with it. And all of those who say she can’t do it, or that her weight was a disadvantage – all those awful remarks – Gemma still did it.
"I’m a bigger girl and have had a lot of scrutiny because of my size.
"It’s tough. They want you to be really small and it’s obviously harder to be lifted up as a bigger girl, a girl with curves.
"So for me to see Gemma do it is inspiring.
"I am 110% behind her and when I watch her it tugs on my heartstrings."
Alex – who partnered Kem Cetinay last year – insists she has a "healthy" body shape but feels frustrated when she’s written off because of her curves.
She added to MailOnline: "’People were like, ‘Isn’t it nice they’re hiring a bigger girl [on ‘Dancing On Ice’]. I have faced a lot of, ‘You can’t do that’. I used to be told I couldn’t be cast in a particular role because I looked too much like a woman!
"I am smart enough to know in the real world that how I look is healthy. And I am very proud of Gemma, it touches me – and Brian. We look up to her a lot."
The skater hailed Brian as a "dream to work with" and she’s looking forward to their first routine on this weekend’s show.
She said: "We’ve got some big lifts to do. And Brian, who is a goofy and funny guy, will be showing a more serious side of himself because our first routine is definitely more serious."
Gemma Collins praised by Alex Murphy
