Sharron Davies has hit back at acid-tongued Dancing On Ice judge Jason Gardiner – suggesting he is not fit to foster kids and dubbing him a “vindictive attention seeker”. The former Olympic swimmer, 47, was stunned when Gardiner described her on Sunday as “like faecal matter that won’t flush. It goes around and around but doesn’t go anywhere”.

It prompted thousands of complaints from outraged viewers and calls for Jason to be sacked. Speaking about it for the first time, Sharron said last night: “Jason’s taken a battering in the media and on websites, and I can’t say I’m too sorry. “We’re taking part in a family entertainment programme. Surely that’s not the place for crude and unconstructive comments? “Even by his standards he has taken his role of pantomime villain too far and now just seems determined to shock. We expectcriticism from judges and are willing to listen. When they are vindictive and attention- seeking I think they are best ignored.

“Incidentally, I notice Jason’s website is ‘temporarily unavailable’. Funny that.”

Jason, 44, has apologised for his remarks, and claimed he was just “critiquing the performance”. But Sharron said the comments from the Aussie judge, who has also compared her to a tree, are also hurtful to her children.

She added: “To describe me in the way he did when I have two children, as I had already mentioned after the tree comment, this is probably what bothers me the most.

“His answer to that was, ‘Get a grip’. Amazing, eh? I hear he’s looking to foster. Well I’m not sure he understands what makes a good parent if that’s his answer.”

Sharron is determined to continue in the contest and is having cortisone injections in her shoulder to help her skate despite having an injury.

Referring to her next dance with partner Pavel Aubrecht this Sunday, she said: “Our new routine’s another slow/medium number, which suits us. It’s quite challenging.”

Referring to the costume which prompted Jason’s comments, Sharron added: “Onwards and forwards – but maybe not in brown.”