Dancing On Ice's Ricky Norwood and Annette Dytrt achieve their highest score of the series despite ex EastEnders star 'threatening to quit show after heated training session'

Dancing On Ice fans jumped to Ricky Norwood's defense during Sunday's episode, complaining he was 'stuck' to his routine.

The former EastEnders The 40-year-old actor is said to have left training this week after just 15 minutes after getting into an angry argument with his professional skating partner Annette Dytrt on Thursday.

Viewers said they weren't surprised that Ricky was miffed when they took to social media during the show, after the former soap star performed in lederhosen for what Ricky described as “a German folk remix” of the Village People song YMCA.

Shouting 'oh, come on' as he was awarded his points by the judges, Ricky looked disappointed despite scoring 24 out of a possible 40 overall, his highest score of the series so far.

He received a score of six from both Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse, 6.5 from Jayne Torvill and 5.5 from Christopher Dean, with Christopher telling him, “You had a taste of Bavarian dancing,” while Ashley said he was dressed as a 'style icon'.

Many viewers felt Ricky had been unfairly flagged and took to social media to express their opinions.

One person wrote on Twitter: 'Ricky is better than that – much attached.'

While someone else wrote: 'They got Ricky screwed up there! That was the strangest music they ever played there.'

Someone else wrote: 'No wonder Ricky lost it this week because he was given this foam to dance on.'

Another viewer wrote: 'Ricky deserved more, they hate him, that version of YMCA…'

While another show may respond: 'Ricky is a good sport with his attitude. Well done. Don't let the jury bring you down! #DancingOnIce At least you can skate without holding on to your partner for dear life!'

“I feel like they did Ricky dirty,” someone else wrote, while another viewer noted, “The routine wasn't much and the music was awful but Ricky is trying his best to get better and he's skating alone. '

Someone else compared him to former Love Island star Amber Davies, writing: 'I thought Ricky deserved a higher score, he did a lot of skating on his own – I appreciate lifts take some work but Amber could barely skate in comparison .'

Someone else wrote: 'Poor Ricky and Lou are constantly under the spotlight every week, Claire Sweeney is dragged across the ice at every performance and they excuse her rubbish routines.'

It comes after it was reported that Ricky left rehearsals this week after a row with his professional skating partner Annette.

A source said The sun: 'Ricky tried to work on his attitude, but Annette became frustrated because he didn't understand.

'He felt like Annette was treating him like a child and was clearly frustrated by her lack of patience.

'Ricky stormed off the ice and angrily threw off his skates while shouting “I'm done” and “f*** this”.

'Annette is a perfectionist and wants to shine in the show as it is her first series.'

MailOnline contacted ITV for comment.

Ricky was axed from playing Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb in EastEnders in 2015, after five years on the soap.

He was suspended for two months in 2015 when photos of the star 'smoking marijuana' emerged on Skype, amid reports that he also performed a sex act naked during the video call.

A spokesperson for the BBC show said at the time: 'We can confirm that Ricky is leaving. We wish him all the best.'

BBC bosses decided to suspend Ricky from filming for two months when the incriminating photos of him first came to light, with the London-born actor apologizing for his actions.

Ricky won Best Newcomer for the role at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards and was named Most Popular Newcomer at the 2011 National Television Awards.

The actor made a cameo appearance as Fatboy in a flashback episode surrounding Cindy Beale's (Michelle Collins) return last year.

Dancing On Ice continues on Sunday February 4 at 6.20pm on ITV1 and ITVX.