Strictly Come Dancing viewers have defended Lawrence Robb after judge Shirley Ballas gave his Rumba a score of four, triggering a wave of backlash on social media.
The BBC One show returned on Saturday evening (October 10) for the third live show of the 2026 series. The remaining 14 couples performed in the ballroom, with judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke scoring their routines, following the elimination of Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden the previous weekend.
Shirley Ballas criticises Lawrence's Rumba
Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb, who plays Mackenzie Boyd on the ITV soap, danced a Rumba with Jowita Przystał to the song Back to Friends by Sombr. The routine was described as "emotional", but Shirley was not impressed.
She said: "It wasn't my cup of tea, but I am going to tell you the reasons why. I am not a great lover of when you stand, and it's all about the lady spinning and dropping."
Shirley went on to call Lawrence "flatfooted" in parts of the routine, and explained she had awarded an extra point for "hitting one nice line". Anton disagreed with Shirley's criticisms, confirming he "liked that style of Rumba" and adding, "What I like about the narrative of the dance that you performed, I thought it was very strong in narrative."
Viewers react to the scoring
Craig scored Lawrence five points, as did Motsi, while Shirley held up her "four" paddle and Anton gave six points, leaving Lawrence and Jowita with a total of 20 points.
Strictly viewers took to social media to accuse Shirley of being too "harsh" on Lawrence. One fan wrote on X: "Lawrence is getting my vote tonight because you cannot blame bad choreography on the celebrity #Strictly."
A second viewer said: "LAWRENCE & JOWITA - I liked it. It’s been many years since a routine made me tear up. #Strictly."
A third added: "I really hope Lawrence and Jowita get another chance next week. I feel like the judges have been so hard on him throughout the series, and he definitely has more potential than her previous partners, bar Hamza #strictly."
Another viewer wrote: "Nah, I’m done with Shirley after that 4 for Lawrence. #Strictly", while someone else asked: "Shirley giving Lawrence a 4?? A FOUR??? #strictly."
Mixed opinions among fans
Some viewers suggested Shirley could have been gentler, with one saying: "Shirley could have been a bit gentler with Lawrence then, he’s just danced a rumba for the first time in front of millions of people #Strictly." Another agreed: "Sorry but Shirley annoys me because she's so harsh towards Lawrence but not as harsh with Graeme and Shaun #strictly."
However, some Strictly viewers sided with Shirley's judgment. One person said: "Sorry, Shirley is right, he just stood still and did nothing. She danced around him. #strictly."
A second added: "Shirley really is in a harsh mood this week lmao. Although I have agreed with everything she's said so far. #Strictly."
Another viewer commented: "Lawrence has been quite disappointing for me so far. I think I’ve been expecting a lot more from him, considering his musical theatre background #Strictly."
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday on BBC One and iPlayer, followed by the results show on Sunday.
