Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left questioning Sunday's (October 11) results show after the judges took to the stage for their group performance, themed as a Ballroom vs Latin face-off. Head judge Shirley Ballas shocked viewers with a breakdance sequence in which the 66-year-old performed several backflips, straight into a dizzying spin on the ground, before ending the move with a breakdancing worm.
Viewers question 'stunt double'
While many were impressed with the moves, other eagle-eyed viewers questioned if a "stunt double" was used for Shirley's impressive dance solo. One asked: "Did they just use a stunt double for Shirley Ballas' complicated dance moves and backflips??" Another raged: "That stunt double was ridiculous."
One viewer was certain someone had stepped in for the Ballroom icon, and penned: "Bit annoyed they used a stunt double for Shirley for that bit of the routine." Another asked: "We know Shirley is a great dancer, so why use a stunt double??"
"The flips were Shirley's double, and the dancing was definitely Shirley. Should have left the flips out, it would have been then 100 Shirley then, but I liked it anyway," suggested a fifth. While one fan commented: "Wait a damn minute… Shirley Ballas busting out these moves was not on my bingo card."
Ballroom vs Latin face-off
The energetic routine featured all of Strictly's professional dancers split into two competing teams to settle once and for all whether Ballroom or Latin is best. Team Ballroom was led by judge Anton Du Beke, while the Latin team were led by Shirley, with Craig Revel Horwood and Neil Jones acting as referees.
This came as a brief break from the tense results, after Chris Appleton became the first contestant to be eliminated alongside his professional partner, Amy Dowden. By the end of the show, it was revealed that Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters and her pro, Aljaz Skorjanec, followed suit after landing in the bottom two, against footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and his pro Alexis Warr.
Elimination reactions
Addressing their departure, Melanie said: "To tell you the truth, no word of a lie, I thought I was going to be out last week, so I've had an extra week with this beautiful soul." While hugging the actress, Aljaz praised: "You're an ultimate professional at what you do, that's why you're so successful at what you do, and you showed me what hard work really is and what hard work really means.
"We started every day with 'partner, let's have the best day ever,' so, I want to finish this for us with a hug and thank you for every single bit in rehearsals and every single step on that floor."
