Strictly Come Dancing viewers have rallied behind Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb after judge Shirley Ballas gave his Rumba a harsh score of four during Saturday's live show.
The BBC One programme returned on October 10 for the third live episode of the 2026 series, with 14 couples remaining after Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden's departure the previous weekend.
Robb, known for playing Mackenzie Boyd on ITV's Emmerdale, performed a Rumba to "Back to Friends" by Sombr with professional partner Jowita Przystał. However, the emotional routine failed to impress Ballas.
Shirley's criticism sparks debate
Ballas told Robb: "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."
She went on to describe the actor as "flatfooted" during parts of the performance, though she did award an extra point for "hitting one nice line". Judge Anton Du Beke disagreed, saying he "liked that style of Rumba", and praised the dance's strong narrative.
Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse both gave five points, while Du Beke offered six, leaving Robb and Przystał with a total of 20 points for the night.
Fans react on social media
Strictly fans took to X to criticise Ballas for being overly harsh on Robb. One supporter wrote: "Lawrence is getting my vote tonight because you cannot blame bad choreography on the celebrity #Strictly."
Another viewer said: "LAWRENCE and 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."
One fan declared: "Nah, I'm done with Shirley after that 4 for Lawrence. #Strictly", while another questioned: "Shirley giving Lawrence a 4? ? A FOUR? ? ? #strictly."
Others felt Ballas could have been kinder, with one viewer noting: "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."
Some viewers back Shirley
However, not all fans sided with Robb. One person commented: "Sorry, Shirley is right, he just stood still and did nothing. She danced around him. #strictly."
A second supporter added: "Shirley really is in a harsh mood this week lmao. Although I have agreed with everything she's said so far. #Strictly."
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday on BBC One and iPlayer, with the results show following on Sunday.
