Shirley Ballas branding Bobby Brazier ‘the king of ballroom’
Strictly Come Dancing has been embroiled in a new “favouritism” row after Annabel Croft and her dance partner Johannes Radebe were eliminated from the competition. Head judge Shirley Ballas opted to send the tennis ace home and sparked fury from fans after she was previously accused of marking down female contestants.
Fellow judges Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke chose to save Bobby Brazier, while Craig Revel Horwood saved Annabel before Shirley cast the deciding vote. She explained: “I thought both couples were absolutely extraordinary. I felt that both couples lifted their performance. I thought there were technical qualities on both sides, improvements galore.
“But again one tiny mistake coming out of pivot turn – and therefore my decision would be to save Bobby and Dianne.” Fans were left unhappy with the decision and took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their opinions.
One viewer said: “It was blatantly obvious that Motsi and Shirley were going to vote for Bobby and Dianne to go to the final regardless of whether Annabel and Johannes danced better than them in the dance-off. #StrictlyComeDancing.”
Another person expressed: “Shirley has shown favouritism towards Bobby so much she is obviously choosing him.” While a third added: “It’s so frustrating. Shirley has shown such favouritism towards Bobby that nobody else has a chance #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”
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However, some fans were happy with Shirley’s decision and applauded the judge, with one viewer writing: “YES SHIRLEY I NEVER DOUBTED YOU MY FAVOURITE JUDGE ILYSM #StrictlyComeDancing.”
A second said: “Shirley finally has an opinion that counts. (Shame is wasn’t the week she wanted to send Layton home.) #StrictlyComeDancing.”
Craig, 57, the only judge to save Annabel, said: “One dance was flashy, one dance was quiet.
“I think both couples have equalised completely. I saw improvement in this one couple. Based on this dance, and nothing in the past but this dance alone, the person which I think had the most exquisite technique is Annabel and Johannes,” the BBC star explained.
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In the first few weeks of the show, Shirley gave the lowest scores to Angela Rippon, Ellie Leach and Zara McDermott, causing fans to believe she was supporting the male celebrities over the women in the competition.
Express.co.uk has contacted Shirley and BBC’s representatives for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing: The Final airs on Saturday at 7pm on BBC One.
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