Strictly Come Dancing viewers are calling for head judge Shirley Ballas to be removed from the panel after her vote to save Shaun Wright-Phillips in Sunday night's dance-off, going against the decision of the other three judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke.
Former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and his professional dance partner Alexis Warr became the fourth couple to leave the show, but it was Shirley's vote which had viewers up in arms. Fans pointed to her track record of voting to save male celebrities, even when they were considered the weaker of the two, as a reason she should be removed from the judging panel.
Judges split over dance-off
Judges Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse voted to save Carlos Gu and celeb partner Jaime Winstone, but head judge Shirley Ballas voted for Wright-Phillips and Warr, leaving Du Beke, who had this week's casting vote, to decide who remained on the show. Du Beke voted to save Winstone and Gu.
Fans took to social media to express their frustration, with some calling on the BBC and show bosses to have her removed from the judges' panel.
Viewers react on social media
@csrizolli said: "Omg Shirley was going to save shaun..... IS SHE ABSOLUTELY DELUSIONAL!!! #Strictly"
@s_ffron7 said: "Shirley has always targeted female celebrities on Strictly, but glad that more people are calling it out! #Strictly"
@misslsw added: "Wouldn't mind if they got rid of Shirley next year tbh. Her clear dislike of women is ridiculous at this point. #Strictly"
@kaaaatie_x said: "lol shirley saying on lights up that shaun was 'absolutely the right one to save' and he was 'flawless'… literally get her off that panel #strictly"
@whiteryan30 said: "It's come to the point where the BBC @BBC is gonna have to make a decision when it comes to #Strictly It's either lose Shirley Ballas or lose the viewers. She's THAT bad right now!"
@thomasr14336083 said: "Was Shirley watching the same thing as us? Jaime danced better, had a better performance, routine than Shaun. Shaun did look like he knew he was going home. Just shows how important the votes are & how they can change everything on the leaderboard. Craig, Mosti & Anton made the right decision saving Jaime & Carlos. Their performance, routine was way better than Shaun's in that dance off. What's wrong with Shirley?"
High scores and upcoming show
This week's live show also saw Australian singer Delta Goodrem return from her rib injury to score the first 10 of the series with her rumba to Celine Dion's It's All Coming Back To Me Now with professional partner Kai Widdrington, which scored 34.
Winter Olympic champion Tabby Stoecker topped the leaderboard on Saturday, following Goodrem by scoring two 10s for her couple's choice dance to Stupid Song by Olivia Rodrigo, finishing with a total score of 37, the highest of the series so far. Her performance with professional partner Mark Karmalita was dedicated to her late father, and she appeared emotional after the dance, with judge Shirley Ballas praising her as a "beautiful dancer" and calling the performance "absolutely exquisite".
The results show also saw Spice Girls star Mel C join the Strictly professional dancers for a fitness-inspired group dance. The remaining couples will return to the dancefloor next week at 6.30pm on BBC One on Saturday October 31 for Strictly's Halloween special.
