Strictly Come Dancing audiences have rallied behind Lawrence Robb after his most recent performance with professional dancer Jowita Przystał failed to impress Shirley Ballas.
The BBC One competition returned on Saturday evening (October 10) for the third live show of the 2026 series. The remaining 14 couples took to the ballroom once more, aiming to win over judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke after Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden's departure the previous weekend.
Shirley Ballas' critical comments
Emmerdale star Lawrence Robb, who portrays Mackenzie Boyd in the ITV soap, and Jowita performed a Rumba to "Back to Friends" by Sombr. Yet the "emotional" performance failed to win over Shirley.
She commented, "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 described Lawrence as "flatfooted" during parts of his routine and revealed that she had given an additional point for "hitting one nice line".
Anton Du Beke challenges the critique
Anton challenged Shirley's assessment and confirmed he "liked that style of Rumba", adding, "What I like about the narrative of the dance that you performed, I thought it was very strong in narrative", reports Wales Online.
Craig awarded Lawrence five points, as did Motsi, while Shirley displayed her "four" paddle with Anton offering six points, resulting in Lawrence and Jowita receiving a combined total of 20 points.
Viewers react on social media
Strictly audiences flocked to social media and criticised Shirley for being overly "harsh" on Lawrence, with one fan posting on X: "Lawrence is getting my vote tonight because you cannot blame bad choreography on the celebrity #Strictly."
A second viewer became emotional and declared: "LAWRENCE and JOWITA - I liked it. It's been many years since a routine made me tear up. #Strictly."
A third contributed: "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."
"Nah, I'm done with Shirley after that 4 for Lawrence. #Strictly", declared one viewer as another questioned: "Shirley giving Lawrence a 4? ? A FOUR? ? ? #strictly."
Another proposed: "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 concurred: "Sorry but Shirley annoys me because she's so harsh towards Lawrence but not as harsh with Graeme and Shaun #strictly."
Some viewers support Shirley's assessment
Nevertheless, some Strictly watchers supported Shirley's assessment, with one person stating: "Sorry, Shirley is right, he just stood still and did nothing. She danced around him. #strictly."
A second affirmed: "Shirley really is in a harsh mood this week lmao. Although I have agreed with everything she's said so far. #Strictly."
One viewer remarked: "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.
