Strictly Come Dancing fans have accused Shirley Ballas of “favouriting” Jamie Laing during last night’s dance-off.
After competing in the dance-off against JJ Chalmers and Amy Dowden, who performed their Charleston to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Shirley opted to save Jamie and his partner Karen Hauer.
The 60-year-old judge was joined by Craig Revel Horwood, who also voted to keep Jamie in the BBC competition.
What did Strictly Come Dancing viewers say about Shirley Ballas?
During last night’s show (December 6), Shirley was left with the deciding vote.
She said: “Both couples lifted their game, I adored both performances very very much, and both couples made small mistakes, both couples.
“But on a more powerful and through difficulty of choreography and through sheer determination, I’m going to save Jamie.”
However, viewers were left disappointed with the head judges’ decision.
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In fact, some even accused the former professional dancer of showing favouritism towards Jamie, 32.
Taking to Twitter, one wrote: “Wtf? Jamie? He wasn’t even together with the steps!!! Very disappointing! A stich-up for sure… He was always Shirley’s favourite…it is so obvious!”
A second complained: “What a fix. Jamie manifestly makes a mistake in the dance off but Shirley and CRH save him. Every year the BBC never fails to disappoint #Strictly.”
A third said: “As soon as Jamie is in the dance off they may as well just cancel it, we all know Shirley will always save Jamie #Strictly.”
As soon as Jamie is in the dance off they may as well just cancel it, we all know Shirley will always save Jamie #Strictly
— Nick Power-Jordan (@Nickcarrick) December 6, 2020
What a fix. Jamie manifestly makes a mistake in the dance off but Shirley and CRH save him. Every year the BBC never fails to disappoint #Strictly
— Chris (@oxpoly7477) December 6, 2020
A fourth added: “I really wish Len was still on the panel, or even Anton. Shirley and her favourites. Jamie was worse than JJ tonight. It was the wrong result. #Strictly.”
Another tweeted: “Motsi had it right, obvious mistake from Jamie, no one saw a mistake from JJ yet Shirley sends him packing.”
Jamie’s pro partner criticises Shirley
Last night’s dance-off comes days after Karen publicly criticised Shirley on It Takes Two.
Appearing on Strictly’s sister show, Karen addressed Shirley’s criticism of Jamie’s musicality.
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Jamie – who scored three eights for his Argentine Tango the following week – explained that Karen had been disappointed with the scores.
Speaking about Shirley, Karen went on to say: “Funnily enough, I thought his musicality was right on point.
“Maybe she wanted him to elongate a bit more but if he wasn’t in on his music, I wasn’t in on my music.
“So is she giving me the notes?”
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