A Heated Exchange on Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing has dismissed the rumors of a feud between judges Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood as “absolute nonsense.” The controversy arose during the latest episode of the show, which featured celebrity guest Cynthia Erivo. The incident occurred following George Clarke’s performance, where the two judges had a notable disagreement.
Shirley praised the YouTube star’s routine, calling it “synchronised to perfection” and adding, “You were flying like an angel. It was unbelievable.” However, Craig quickly challenged her assessment, stating, “I don’t agree with you. I think it was out of sync, a lot actually.”
Shirley appeared visibly taken aback but responded firmly, saying, “From that end of the desk it might look one way but from this end of the desk, it looked bloody fabulous love.” The exchange sparked discussions about the dynamics among the judging panel.
Behind the Scenes: Power Dynamics and Changes in Format
An insider revealed that the apparent tension between Shirley and Craig is part of a broader issue concerning “power dynamics” within the show. Last month, there was a significant change in the format of Strictly Come Dancing, where Shirley no longer holds the sole responsibility of making the deciding vote in each week’s dance-off.
The head judge, who joined the panel in 2017 after replacing Len Goodman, now shares the casting vote with the other three judges. This shift was reportedly made to protect her from online trolls.
The insider explained, “The judges are all big characters with large egos so it’s no surprise tension can arise sometimes. Although Shirley is still technically the head judge, losing her power in the dance-off has caused a change in the power dynamic.”
During the recent episode, Craig did not hesitate to challenge Shirley, even in front of the celebrity guest judge Cynthia Erivo. The situation left Shirley stunned, as Craig stood his ground despite her protests. “She’s used to asserting authority over the others but Craig will always say what he really thinks. It made for an awkward watch,” the insider added.
Clarification from Strictly Come Dancing
In response to the reports, a spokesperson for Strictly Come Dancing stated, “This story is absolute nonsense, and it’s clear that the anonymous ‘source’ quoted in it has no inside knowledge of Strictly. Our judges are all on great terms, and while the casting vote is now shared between them, Shirley remains Strictly Come Dancing’s Head Judge.”
Shirley has previously spoken about the challenges she faced due to online abuse, particularly related to her role in deciding which contestants get eliminated. According to The Mirror, she sought help after enduring harsh criticism in the past. In 2023, she hired an expert to assist her in dealing with the negative comments she received over the years.
Last year, Shirley hinted that the constant negativity almost led her to consider quitting the show. She mentioned receiving thousands of “truly awful” messages from trolls regarding her decisions to send contestants home.
Looking Ahead
Strictly Come Dancing is set to return this Saturday on BBC One. Fans are eagerly awaiting the next episode, hoping to see how the judges interact and whether the tensions will continue.
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