Shirley Ballas has responded to criticism that her judging on Strictly Come Dancing has been too harsh, defending her scores and rejecting claims she has been unfair to contestants.
The head judge of the BBC ballroom show has faced accusations of "underscoring" certain celebrities this series, with viewers voicing frustration after Saturday's live show. Ballas gave Tabby Stoecker just five out of 10 for her quickstep with partner Mark Karmalita, telling her: "It wasn't your best for me, but I can see potential in this team."
As the audience began booing, Ballas, 66, added: "Listen to your auntie Shirley, because you've got a chance to go far."
Backlash on Social Media
Following the show, viewers took to social media to complain that Ballas had scored contestants five "too many times" and was "unfair" with her critiques. The backlash comes after Ballas was previously accused of using a stunt double during a group dance last month.
Addressing the criticism while appearing on the spin-off series Strictly: Lights Up, Ballas was challenged by presenter Abi Clarke, who said: "Spooky vibes on the ballroom. People at home are a chatter that possibly your scoring is harsher this week than usual."
Clarke added: "Did anybody else notice that? I heard you said we should be harsher and more technical. Why a couple who may have got a 7 last week, getting a 5 this week."
Ballas Defends Her Scores
Ballas answered firmly: "The performance wasn't as good as last week. Everything is according to what I see at that particular time without fear or favour. I don't do fluff. We're not halfway through the competition, we're almost there."
She continued: "I expect to see some of the standards we set at the beginning. If I don't see them and other people use them, that's what I do. I just judge on what I see."
Explaining her scoring, Ballas said: "5, 6, and 7 is a good score. 8 and 9, you're truly on your way. A 10 is perfect. For me a 5 is a good score, had it been a 2,3 or 4, we could have said it was a low score. 5 is not a low score in my book."
She added: "The people are getting a 9 and you get a 5, do you want me to give you an 8 when you had a poor outline. You have to judge on what you see and be fair."
Previous Stunt Double Controversy
The controversy follows Ballas making headlines for using a stunt double during an athletic routine on Strictly. She took part in a pre-recorded special group dance with co-star Anton Du Beke, competing in a Ballroom vs Latin showdown.
Ballas appeared to perform a series of eye-catching tricks, including a cartwheel into a backflip, before spinning on the floor and doing the worm. While many viewers praised her moves, others claimed professional dancer Alexis Warr had stepped in to perform the flips.
One person wrote on X: "They said stick a wig on Alexis and have her keep flipping so we never see her face," while another added: "Lol was that Alexis doing the cartwheel? I had to double-take and thought it was Shirley at first." A further claim on Instagram read: "It was Alexis. I was in the audience when it was filmed."
