Strictly Come Dancing's Karen Clifton takes a dig at judge Shirley Ballas

For many, Karen Clifton and Casualty star Charles Venn’s seriously impressive first competition dance on Strictly last weekend was a joy to watch.

Set to the Sub Sub classic Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use), it was a cha-cha-cha to remember.

But not for head judge Shirley Ballas.

While the other judges were wowed by the performance, Ballas took a strip off the pair, deeming the dance ‘too disco’, and ‘exempt of cha-cha-cha’.

Appearing on spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two with Zoe Ball, Clifton and Venn discussing the criticism, which was followed by an undisguised dig from Clifton.

“She wanted more cha-cha-cha and it’s more disco… what did you think about that Karen?” asked Ball.

“Well, it was her opinion, I thought it fit the choreography,” Clifton replied.

“I would have loved a little bit more constructive criticism from the head judge.

“But I mean, at the same time, I was pretty much inspired by [Venn]. And the music was more disco-ish and I thought we had the right amount.”

She went on: “But, you know, I respect her opinion. And we will give her a full, packed meal of a dance this week.”

The pair will be back at the weekend, with a quickstep to Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder.

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