Kimberly Wyatt says women have it "tough" on Dancing on Ice and viewers are less likely to "connect" with them if their turns are too sexy.
The Pussycat Dolls star, who was in the contest last year, said she was not surprised when Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, 28, ended up in the skate-off.
Ofcom had 112 complaints about the Love Island winner's first dance in the ITV reality contest, in which she wore a revealing nude-mesh jumpsuit.
After surviving the skate-off, Ekin-Su vowed to continue to "flaunt" her body, saying: "If you've got a nice bum and you look sexy in a unitard, why not?"
And Kimberly, 40, said: "It's very difficult for a woman on that show, especially if you go any place that's sexy. The viewers just don't quite like it. They don't connect with it.
"I'm so glad she did - you could tell she felt good in her skin. Being a girl is tough on that show."
Judge Oti Mabuse defended Ekin-Su's sexy style, joking: "I thought the outfit was really sexy and risk-taking is what is important to me. If I had that body, I'd wear less all the time."
But Kimberly feels the bias against "sexy" women is an issue and she believes she "suffered" a similar audience response during last year's series, in which she finished third.
And her husband Max Rogers, 40, who joined her in Dubai for Beyonce 's gig at the launch of hotel Atlantis The Royal, added: "Social media is an interesting place to be the day after a show like that."
Kimberly said of Max: "He takes the time to engage with trolls and usually turns them around."
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Former footballer John Fashanu, 60, became the first star to be eliminated on Sunday night's show. Kimberly was partnered with pro Mark Hanretty for her run, who is performing with Hollyoaks actress Carley Stenson this year.
And despite being a trained dancer, with a background that includes ballet, she said the show takes a very serious physical toll on competitors, too.
"My hips are only just getting back to normal," she revealed.
"I had to do dance flow each morning, my hips were suffering. I've been stretching, doing yoga and training ever since, and I’m finally getting back to a place of comfort."
Kimberley and Max, who have three children, discuss issues including the trolling of celebs on their podcast, The Fame Game.
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