Dancing On Ice viewers call for gay Olympian Johnny Weird to become permanent judge
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Fans of the popular ITV show, Dancing on Ice, are rallying behind out gay figure skater Johnny Weir, calling for him to become a permanent judge on the show. Weir made his debut as a guest judge during the show’s musicals week on Sunday, where he also performed a routine to Elaine Paige’s iconic song “Memory” from the musical Cats. The Olympian skater replaced regular judge Ashley Banjo, who announced that he would be taking a break from the show to tour with his dance group Diversity.
Weir is set to stay on the show until Banjo returns for the semi-final, alongside dancer Oti Mabuse and skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean. However, viewers were immediately captivated by Weir’s judging style and expertise, causing them to call for him to remain a permanent replacement for Banjo, especially due to his background as a professional figure skater.
Social media was flooded with comments from fans expressing their support for Weir. One viewer wrote, “Can we have Johnny Weir as a judge every week? He’s so much better than Ashley. He knows what he’s talking about with the skating, and he’s actually giving harsh and real criticism.” Another fan echoed this sentiment, saying, “Can we keep Johnny over Ashley, please?” Others praised Weir for his ability to provide constructive feedback and practical advice on contestants’ performances, claiming that Banjo and Mabuse often lack knowledge about the technical aspects of the skating routines.
Weir’s impressive skating career includes competing in the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics, although he never finished in one of the medal positions. As a singles skater, Weir stands out among former world champions Torvill and Dean, who famously won gold as a duo at the 1984 Winter Olympics. Known for his lyrical skating style and entertaining performances, Weir often designed his own colorful and outlandish costumes. However, he has also been recognized for his outspoken nature, which has previously caused conflicts with the governing body of figure skating in the US.
Some viewers may also remember Weir from his guest judge appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2011. During the episode, contestant Carmen Carrera kissed Weir on the lips during her lip-sync battle against Yara Sofia. Weir publicly came out as gay in 2011, stating in his autobiography, “Welcome to My World,” that he is proud of who he is and is unashamed to be himself. “More than anyone else I know, I love my life and accept myself. What’s wrong with being unique? I am proud of everything that I am and will become,” he declared.
With his talent, experience, and passion for figure skating, it is clear why fans are rallying behind Johnny Weir to become a permanent judge on Dancing on Ice. As the show continues to captivate audiences, viewers will eagerly watch to see if Weir’s popularity and support will lead to a permanent position on the judging panel. Dancing on Ice airs on ITV every Sunday at 6:25 pm.
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