More than just a Pussycat Doll: Ashley Roberts wins over viewers with Dancing On Ice judging debut

PUBLISHED: 22:54, 6 January 2013 | UPDATED: 00:27, 7 January 2013

Her appointment on the panel raised some eyebrows due to her lack of ice skating skills.

But Ashley Roberts appeared to win over the viewers for her debut outing as a Dancing On Ice judge on Sunday night.

The former Pussycat Doll, along with returning judge Jason Gardiner, are the two judges with dance and performance experience, while head judge Robin Cousins and Karen Barber bring the skating knowledge.

Popular: Ashley Roberts' debut as a Dancing On Ice judge went down well with viewers

The overwhelming consensus on Twitter appeared to be positive after Ashley, 31, proved a tough judge to please on the panel, giving lower marks for some contestants than Robin and Karen.

Alongside Karen and Jason, she opted to save Keith Chegwin in the dance-off instead of Pamela Anderson following the latter stumbling due to her wardrobe malfunction.

Following the show, she tweeted: '1st show done! So happy to be a part of the #DOI fam!! Sad to see Pam go but look forward to next week's show.'

New-ish line-up: Jason Gardiner, and Karen Barber returned to the panel, with Robin Cousins as the only constant

When her appointment was first announced last month, many compared Ashley to former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, who spent two years on the ice panel.

However, most pop fans would agree Ashley's dancing with the Pussycat Dolls was a lot more challenging than the Spice Girl's finger-pointing and strutting.

Before finding fame with the Pussycat Dolls, Ashley had taken dance lessons since the age of three and performed as a dancer for Aaron Carter, Pink and Josh Groban's videos.

'Sassyness': Ashley brought her flirty, fun personality to lighten up the panel

One Twitter user wrote: 'OMG loving this years #DOI Ashley Roberts as a judge?! #amazing.'

Another remarked on her tough judging criteria: '@ImAshleyRoberts Your a bit harsh on the scoring. What do they have to do to get higher marks. Great job though, well done.'

A third Twitter user seemed surprise by Ashley's technical dance knowledge displayed during her commentary: '@ImAshleyRoberts was so good on Dancing on Ice she really knows what she's talking about.'

Group hug: The judges embrace backstage

Also on Sunday's episode, there was no disguising the tension between Jason and Karen.

Karen was bumped off the judging panel two years ago to become a head coach and famously clashed with Jason who told her: 'If your opinion still mattered you’d be on the panel.'

Although Karen and Jason didn't clash directly on Sunday's episode, she referred to being 'a little confused by the end of the panel' after he gave Beth Tweddle a 3.5, while she gave a 6.5.