Shirley Ballas reflecting on being considered a ‘harsh’ judge
Strictly Come Dancing’s head judge Shirley Ballas has hit back at the backlash she has received over her feedback about the celebrity contestants.
She joined This Morning presenters Holly Willoughby and Josie Gibson on Wednesday afternoon where she discussed her new saucy novel.
However, talk soon turned to the Strictly competition where Holly noted: “You are one of those judges that I think that people sort of hang on to everything you say.
“You can be technical but I feel like that is what gets the results, they want to hear what you have to say so you can work on it.”
Shirley agreed and explained: “Well constructive criticism is what I live my life by and I want to give them a few tips that help them.
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“And it does help them and the professionals really listen, so sometimes it can come across a little harsh, they know it is not meant to be, I want them to be all that they can be.”
As well as being branded harsh, Shirley was recently embroiled in a sexism row and was accused of “downvoting” the women contestants.
During week two of the series, viewers of the show noticed that Shirley was scoring lower than her fellow judges when it came to the women contestants.
She scored Coronation Street star Ellie Leach a seven when the other three awarded her scores of eight, as well as Love Island star Zara McDermott, who was given a five by Shirley and sixes by the others.
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Later, Angela Rippon achieved eights from the other three judges while Shirley downgraded with a seven.
Noticing the pattern, fans of the BBC competition took to their X, formerly known as Twitter, accounts to express their opinions.
@AmyJoanne__ commented: “Of course. Another low score from Shirley for a woman. #Strictly.”
@_LucasMichael_ laughed: “Lmao never mind the young pretty woman, our Shirley will even score lower for the older woman. She’s consistent #Strictly.”
@MillieSansoye added: “Shirley is so bait, always downvoting young women #Strictly.”
@cptnwilliamson said: “Shirley’s dislike for young women is again so obvious #Strictly.”
@BlazesAccount wrote: “Dance if you score young women lower for no reason Shirley: #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”
As @angrykilljoy1 penned: “Here we go, Shirley with the harsh critique for the women. #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly.” (sic)
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday from 6:20pm on BBC One, followed by the results show on Sunday at 7:15pm on BBC One.
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