Coronation Street star Antony, who plays long-running character Sean Tully on the ITV soap, was the first to burst out onto the ice on tonight’s re-launch since the competition last aired four years ago.

Performing an extravangaza to Wham’s Club Tropicano, the star unfortunately couldn’t hide the host of awkward mistakes and jarring dance moves in his routine, including accidentally dropping a prop in the middle.

As the display was in full-swing, Antony and his partner Brandee slipped up tackling their meticulous routine which saw their money prop fall to the floor. 

But in an odd twist, the actor seemingly tried to joke about the faux pas by looking down the professional’s top after picking up the stray note. 

Taking to Twitter, viewers shared their anger over the moment, which aired live on television. 

“Why on earth did he just look down her top? Totally inappropriate,” one person wrote.

Another viewer blasted: “Ummmm did this scumbag actually just look down his skating partners top?????????”

"Just because you’re gay doesn’t mean you can pull a woman’s top and look down it. Wtf,” a third fumed.

Laughing about his cringeworthy performance, Antony told presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: “I got paid. I'm thrilled with that, I didn't die, or kill Brandee."

Known for his friendship with notoriously “nasty” judge Jason Gardiner, Antony appeared disappointed with his unforgiving score of 15.5 points, as the former even said he couldn’t understand whether the contestant was trying to be a “waiter or a gigolo”.

Dancing On Ice continues Sunday at 6pm on ITV.