Strictly's Shirley Ballas in hot water with viewers over 'unfair' reason for axing Shayne Ward

Shirley Ballas has landed in hot water with Strictly Come Dancing viewers, who have accused the show's head judge of using an 'unfair' reason to eliminate Shayne Ward this weekend.

Given that the former X Factor winner and his pro partner Nancy Xu had already been in the bottom two twice, they were made the red hit favourites to be axed in week eight, as all of the remaining couples had Blackpool and the chance to perform in the world famous Tower Ballroom in their sights.

Shayne and Nancy ended up joint bottom of the Strictly leaderboard on Saturday, with their rumba scoring 30 out of 40; the same score Jamie and Michelle received for their Argentine Tango. While Jamie got enough support from the public to pull him out of danger, Shayne didn't and, on finding out he was in the dance-off again, told host Tess Daly that he really wanted to make it through to Blackpool, so his mum, who suffers from a number of health issues, could see him dance at least once.

READ MORE:Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas caught up in scoring row as angry BBC viewers lash out

READ MORE:Strictly's Shayne Ward suffers family 'heartbreak' after crushing exit from BBC show

That made the outcome of this week's Strictly results show an even more bitter pill for Shayne to swallow as, after Craig and Motsi both voted to save him and Nancy, Anton took things to a deciding vote by voting for Wynne and Katya, before Shirley used her power as head judge to send Shayne and Nancy home.

Addressing the at risk couples, Shirley told them she had spotted 'hiccups' in both of their dance-off performances, before then adding: "One of you displayed a much more powerful and joyous routine, so it was quite difficult for me to choose; but on this occasion, I'm going to save Wynne and Katya".

It was Shirley's choi8ce of words that didn't sit well with many viewers at home, with one racing to X to complain as they ranted: "Shirley ballas actually throwing Craig and Motsie’s votes out the window because she thought Wynn’s was more joyous…unbelievable" as another reacted: "Wynne and Katya were totally out of sync in their side by side sections in the dance off, but you put them through because it was joyous? How could Shayne and Nancy make a rumba joyous, interested in knowing the answer!"

Equally annoyed about Shirley's decision, a third blasted: "f #StrictlyComeDancing judging is now about ‘most joyous’ why aren’t all the couples dancing the same dance each week? The judging this year is even worse than last year!"