Karen Barber has spoken out for the first time following last Sunday's on-air clash with Jason Gardiner on Dancing on Ice.
Speaking to The Mirror, the show's coach - who branded Gardiner "a nasty, nasty man" after being taunted for no longer being on the panel - defended her actions and insisted that her confrontation on The Skate-Off was not planned.
She explained: "It was unprovoked and when it came out the blue it absolutely knocked me for six. It was a shock to find myself in that situation. But it was wrong - and I knew this was a moment when I absolutely had to stand up for myself.
"I've only seen it once because it brings back how I felt at that moment and really upsets me. Jason really challenged me. It was so unnecessary. It wasn't planned... just an instant reaction. I'm glad I didn't lose my temper and was surprised to find out I'm really a very strong person."
The former skater added: "I don't regret it. You don't have to take things like that. You either curl up in a ball or you stand up for yourself. I found the strength to say 'No, that's not acceptable. I'm not having that'.
"My daughters were really upset and worried too. They'd been watching TV at home in Lancashire and I had to reassure them I was fine because they wanted to drive down to be with me."
Following last week's incident there have been 4,000 complaints about the show, which continues this Sunday at 6.35pm on ITV1.
Speaking to The Mirror, the show's coach - who branded Gardiner "a nasty, nasty man" after being taunted for no longer being on the panel - defended her actions and insisted that her confrontation on The Skate-Off was not planned.
She explained: "It was unprovoked and when it came out the blue it absolutely knocked me for six. It was a shock to find myself in that situation. But it was wrong - and I knew this was a moment when I absolutely had to stand up for myself.
"I've only seen it once because it brings back how I felt at that moment and really upsets me. Jason really challenged me. It was so unnecessary. It wasn't planned... just an instant reaction. I'm glad I didn't lose my temper and was surprised to find out I'm really a very strong person."
The former skater added: "I don't regret it. You don't have to take things like that. You either curl up in a ball or you stand up for yourself. I found the strength to say 'No, that's not acceptable. I'm not having that'.
"My daughters were really upset and worried too. They'd been watching TV at home in Lancashire and I had to reassure them I was fine because they wanted to drive down to be with me."
Following last week's incident there have been 4,000 complaints about the show, which continues this Sunday at 6.35pm on ITV1.
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