Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas came under fire over the weekend for her comments towards EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal.
Saturday night (October 11) was Movie Week, with Cynthia Erivo joining the panel. Balvinder and partner Julian Caillon danced a foxtrot to The Way You Look Tonight from the movie Swing Time.
And, although viewers loved it, she did receive some constructive criticism from the judges. So constructive that Shirley was even booed by the studio audience.
Strictly judge Shirley Ballas’ comments to Balvinder Sopal
After their dance, Balvinder and Julian joined Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly to receive their comments from the judges.
Shirley told her: “I agree with everyone about the grace and the elegance, but it needs finish with the ends of your hands and your arms. But,” she added, “the footwork for me was by no means very good,” as the audience booed.
“Hold on, hold on, because I do believe that Balvinder is going to go far. But she’s not going to go far if everything is mushy and cushy and ‘oh you’re just great’. I want her to learn something. I want you to pay attention to a heel turn,” she said, before giving more critique.
“Heel turns were missed. The slows weren’t quite there. The quick quicks looked a bit stuck. So I believe that with all this beauty and finesse that you have given, you are stunning, but footwork will need attention.
“But I think you’re great, like everybody said, but let’s pay attention to those little small details.”
Speaking to Claudia Winkleman, Balvinder said: “I do need to think about footwork and moving through my movements and finishing them.”
The scores were then handed out. Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse gave Balvinder a 7, while Shirley and Anton Du Beke gave her a 6.
Viewers react
Furious comments quickly appeared on social media as a crestfallen Balvinder went up to the Clauditorium to get her scores.
“Shirley there was a far nicer way to talk to Bal and you know it,” said one. “Shirley has finally found the woman she’s gonna tear apart every week now… poor Balvinder,” said a second.
A third added: “The abysmal Shirley tearing ar Bal apart but giving a certain young male a 9 for doing naff all!” “Shirley giving George [Clarke] a 9 but only giving Bal a 6 is criminal,” said another, hitting out at the scores.
“Shirley definitely isn’t a girly girl! Bigs up the lads bit loves to tear down some of the ladies!” said another.
However, others thought Shirley had a point when it came to her critique of the soap star. They said: “Shirley is right by the way. Not her biggest fan but she was spot on Balvinder’s footwork in that dance was average at best.”
‘Justice for Bal!’
During Sunday’s (October 12) results show, Balvinder and Julian found themselves in the bottom two alongside Ross King and Jowita Przystal.
While the couple was saved by the panel of judges, viewers still fumed over the results, insisting Shirley’s negative comments could have impacted the result.
“SHIRLEY THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT NOT BALVINDER,” one passionate user wrote on X.
“Justice for Bal!!! Shirley’s bias needs dealing with asap,” another person shared.
“Shirley is probably secretly raging that she didn’t get to get rid of Bal #Strictly How and why did she end up in the dance off?!” a third remarked.
“Shirley should be [bleep]ing ashamed of herself and her behaviour towards Balvinder!” a fourth insisted.
Read more: Concerns for Vicky Pattison as Strictly host Tess Daly forced to step in
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