Dancing On Ice pro Vanessa Bauer has said she’s “struggling to cope” amid ongoing rumours that she and her celebrity partner Wes Nelson have become involved romantically.
When they were first partnered together, Vanessa and Wes were both in relationships, but shortly before this year’s series launch, she announced that she and her ex had parted ways.
This prompted Wes’ then-girlfriend Megan Barton-Hanson to publicly accuse Vanessa of a “tactical break-up” to grab headlines, with Vanessa and Wes later calling time on their relationship too.
Speaking to The Sun, Vanessa has admitted that the rumours about herself and Wes have been upsetting, saying she wishes people would focus instead on their skating abilities.
She told the newspaper: “Of course it affects me when I read comments and I get direct messages on Instagram which are really not nice.
“It was really hard to deal with at the beginning but now I feel like when you comment on that - it’s not my job to comment. I am here to skate.”
Wes and Vanessa have gone from strength to strength throughout the competition, landing the first 10 of the series on Sunday night.
Vanessa added: “It’s hard for both of us. We’re both here to do a job.
“We’re both working hard and doing pretty well. Last week we were top of the leader board and no one is talking about that, and I think it’s really sad.”
Wes previously swore off getting together with Vanessa in an interview with OK! magazine, stating simply: “I see [comments about it] all the time, but for one has anyone ever asked me if I fancy her? No I don’t. Vanessa is not my cup of tea.”
Dancing On Ice airs on Sunday nights on ITV.
