BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas defends top score for Pete Wicks as fans unimpressed

Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas has defended her top score for Pete Wicks - but after hearing her explanation fans said it couldn't be justified. The former TOWIE star announced he was dancing his couple's choice with professional dance partner Jowita Przystal as a special tribute to his nan.

Shirley defended her score of 10 for the routine on the results show on Sunday night. She told the audience: "He left me no choice but to give him a 10.

"I was immersed in his emotion. He danced the dance for his nana. He was emotional, that made me emotional.

READ MORE:BBC Wolf Hall season two - plot, cast, episodes and filming locations

READ MORE:Tributes to BBC Wolf Hall's Bernard Hill after tragic death

Read more Strictly's Chris McCausland in show first as stage goes black in iconic moment

"Every movement he took I could see he was doing it from his heart. His lines were lovely, I loved the way he partnered with Jowita.

"The lifts in and out, just a beautiful all round performance. I had to give him a 10 because I felt what he felt."

Strictly viewers weren't impressed with her explanation and took to X to comment. One wrote: "You don’t give a 10 cause you felt what Pete felt it’s about the dancing not the emotion."

A second said: "Shirley being overly emotional trying to justify over marking Pete - talk about emotional manipulation!" A third wrote: "Shirley over marked Oete because she fancies the pants off him. Nowt to do with emotion. Stop telling fibs. You were suckered by the sob story. So transparent.!

Another fan added: "You mentioned giving him a 10 for many reasons Shirley...none of them for dancing."