Jason Gardiner complaints hit 3,500

More than 3,500 'Dancing On Ice' viewers have now complained about Jason Gardiner's cruel jibes to head coach Karen Barber.

Fans of the celebrity skating show were so appalled by the acid-tongued judge's comments on Sunday night (06.02.11) that communications watchdog OFCOM has clocked up some 497 complaints.

ITV has received a further 3,000 protestations from viewers disturbed by the comments made by the 45-year-old choreographer, which reduced ice-skating expert Karen to tears.

However, channel bosses have admitted despite pleas for Jason to be axed from the show, he will not be dismissed over the incident.

A spokesperson confirmed: "Jason has been spoken to by producers and that is the end of the matter."

Although he was able to keep his job, ITV1 executives reportedly didn't hesitate to reprimand the judge, and told him his behaviour was "completely out of order".

A 'Dancing On Ice' source explained: "Jason was told this sort of behaviour is completely out of order. It's fine to bitch about contestants, but you can't slag off people you work with. It might make great TV but ITV has a duty of care to employees.

Jason sparked fury last weekend after telling ice-skating expert Karen, 49 - who was dropped from the judging panel for this series - her opinions didn't matter as they argued over war hero Johnson Beharry's performance.

At one point he told her: "If your opinion still mattered you'd be on the panel."

Close to tears, Karen hit back: "You have said more than enough tonight. You're a nasty, nasty man, you really are."