Dancing on Ice’s Vanessa Bauer has addressed her romance with partner Joey Essex for the first time as she admitted an awkward air kiss was planned.
In a new interview, the 26-year-old figure skater opened up about her “bondage” to the 32-year-old former TOWIE star, following months of romance rumors between the pair.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s final, he said Metro.es: ‘This time I have Joey with me. We obviously have a bond like I didn’t have with any of my other partners. It’s going to be special.
“I think it would be good to see what’s going on outside, to be honest we are mainly interested in the ice rink.”
During the film week of the competition, Joey and Vanessa danced a romantic routine to the hit song Breaking Free from High School Musical.
Loved up? Vanessa Bauer, 26, of Dancing on Ice, has addressed her romance with her partner Joey Essex, 32, for the first time as she admitted an awkward air kiss was planned.
And while he channels the characters Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez, TV personality he seemed to confirm the claims of romance as he leaned in to plant a kiss on the professional’s lips.
But a little more hesitantly, Vanessa laughed and pulled away from Joey when she seemed taken aback by the gesture.
Speaking of the kiss, which shocked fans and drew awkward comments from judges and hosts, Joey explained that it was “planned” but that Vanessa was “overwhelmed” in the moment.
Joey explained, “I had asked Vanessa probably more than ten times, ‘You wouldn’t leave, would you? You want me to kiss you, right? And she says, “Yes, I want you to kiss me.”
She added that the dancer didn’t think she would walk away, but the photo proved otherwise, joking that she “loved it when they did it.”
The couple have been romantically linked since rehearsals for the show began and have been seen spending more time together.
And earlier this month, Joey confirmed rumors of a relationship with Vanessa during Dancing on Ice after being questioned by hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Scholfield.
However, the presenters were later criticized by viewers for being “totally inappropriate”, “disrespectful” and making Vanessa visibly “uncomfortable”.
Wow: Joey addressed the kiss, which shocked fans and sparked awkward comments from the judges and hosts, explaining that it was “planned” but Vanessa got “overwhelmed.”
Phil, 60, tried to persuade the former TOWIE star and his professional partner to reveal if they were a couple before Holly, 41, announced that the pairing was “Joey Essex and his real-life partner, Vanessa”.
Joey and Vanessa will go head-to-head with former Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson and fellow pro Olivia Smart, as well as Drag Race UK star The Vivienne and figure skater Colin Grafton.
The couple who impress with their performances will be tasked with skating to Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill’s Bolero, with the overall winner put to a public vote.
Last week, Siva Kaneswaran and Mollie Gallagher eliminated Dancing On Ice in a brutal double-elimination semifinal.
Dancing on Ice: The Final airs Sunday at 6:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
