STRICTLY’S Shirley Ballas has been accused of ‘blatant favouritism’ by fans threatening to switch off.
Last month, Shirley, 64, was forced to hit back back after online trolls launched a petition to get her kicked off the show.
It followed her decision to vote off singer Shayne Ward – which also led to abuse on social media.
But it appears BBC viewers have come for her again, ranting on Reddit that they won’t tune in to the next series if she returns.
In a forum titled, “If Shirley is still Head Judge next year, I probably won’t watch,” one wrote: “As Head Judge, they have the deciding vote so they MUST be impartial. Her blatant favouritism puts the integrity of the entire competition into disrepute and I cannot see how her position is anything other than untenable.”
Another added: “Shirley’s inconsistent with her making, and her comments to Chris [McCausland] are so patronising, as well. She’s an uncomfortable watch, at best.”
Someone else said: “Shirley I liked when she first started but she has got worse over time and it’s clear when she has favourites (e.g. Pete [Wicks]).”
Shirley, who joined the BBC One series seven years ago, got a barrage of stick after November’s shock dance-off between Coronation Street actor Shayne and Wynne Evans.
It resulted in the judges saving the opera singer.
Some people started a petition calling for Shirley to be sacked from her role.
She later hit out at the “vitriol” and pledged her future to the show.
Asked if she is going to be part of the line-up next year, Shirley said: “You know, I’m not going anywhere as long as the BBC would like to have me.”
She added firmly: “I judge without fear or favour.
“I’m just someone who sits in that chair as head judge to stay in my lane and judge the dancing — legs, feet, body co-ordination, synchronisation and chemistry between the leader and the follower.”
Fans also claimed the show was ‘so fixed’ after Towie star Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał took to the dance floor.
Addressing the pair afterwards, Shirley said: “A very masculine approach to the Rumba, I like that. With a very feminine lady on the end of your arm.
“I loved all the lifts. There probably shouldn’t have been lifts, should’ve been keeping your feet on the floor.
“But I’m going to let them slide. You picked up – they were excellent in what you did.”
She added: “You isolated the upper-half of your body and you rolled those hips in the figure eight… I was mesmerised.
“I just need a little bit more of that figure of eight everywhere and you would have delighted me.
“That isolation, I’ll be thinking about that for a week!”
Some viewers, however were left unimpressed by Shirley’s assessment.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one wrote: “Still can’t believe how brutal the judges were on Sam.
“Yet afterwards Shirley says she’ll ignore Pete’s faults & illegal lifts cause she was turned on by ONE hip movement… HOW IS SHE EMPLOYED?!
“The gender bias is infuriating, every year!”
Another added: “Shirley is meant to be Head judge!!
“She shouldn’t be allowed to let things like lifts or bad footwork slide just because someone smiles & wiggles their bum.”
While a third wrote: “i love pete but shirley choosing to ignore the lifts is hilarious considering if that was a female celeb she would have eaten them alive.”
Strictly stars at risk of the axe in 2025
Gorka Marquez joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer in 2016 when he was partnered with EastEnders actress Tameka Empson. The following year he was partnered with singer Alexandra Burke. They reached the final and finished as one of the runners-up.
In 2020, he was partnered with actress Maisie Smith. Again, he made it to the final and finished as a runner-up.
He failed to make it third time lucky in 2022, finishing runner-up again with Helen Skelton.
Nadiya Bychkova joined the show in 2017 with EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami. The pair reached Week 11, finishing in 6th place.
Her best performance to date came in 2021 when she finished fifth with Dan Walker.
Neil Jones has been without a celebrity partner more times than he’s had one since joining in 2016.
His best finish was with ex-footballer Alex Scott in 2019, finishing in fifth.
Katya Jones was another 2016 addition and made an instant impression with politician Ed Balls. Their Gangnam Style routine is still a favourite to this day.
In 2017 she lifted the Glitterball with Joe McFadden.
The following year she was at the heart of a show scandal after snogging her dance partner, the comedian Seann Walsh.
Karen Hauer has been an ever-present since 2012.
Despite her lengthy association with the show, she’s never lifted the Glitterball. The closest she came was in 2020 when she finished runner-up with Jamie Laing.
Fans also claimed the show was ‘so fixed’ after Towie star Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał took to the dance floor[/caption]
