Yahoo News 'That's the last time we YouTube Shirley': 'Strictly's' Shirley Ballas and Anton du Beke clash over harsh Rumba scoring
Although Shirley Ballas may have impressed fans by returning to Strictly Come Dancing just days after surgery, they were less keen on her harsh critique of Emma Barton and Anton du Beke’s Rumba.
The head judge didn’t hold back in her criticism of EastEnder Barton and ballroom pro du Beke’s efforts, and fans of the show were shocked by how blunt she was.
Read more: Shirley Ballas makes triumphant return to Strictly post surgery
I know Shirley is recovering from surgery but her critique of Emma and Anton on #Strictly was way too harsh.
— 🏝️ Krakoan and proud 🌿 (@RemyLeBeau) November 2, 2019
Ballas told Barton: “First of all, I want to say, you’re tall, you’re elegant, and you have everything it takes to do a beautiful Rumba, before I say what I’m about to say.
“The only timing I could read was...three bars of Rumba.
“The rest of it, I have no idea on what count you were dancing this dance.”
Giving my votes to @EmmaBarton and Anton tonight. The heart of #Strictly is about non dancers learning to dance and Emma is trying her hardest. I think Shirley seems a bit down tonight, not fair being too harsh on her either. #StrictlyComeDancing
— LaurJean (@Laura_Jeaan) November 2, 2019
Actually a bit shocked at how Shirley delivered her feedback to Emma and Anton tonight. Fair comments I’m sure but why deliver them like that? She’s a none dancer, surely a little encouragement wouldn’t go amiss? #strictly
— Kate Salt (@katewithcurls) November 2, 2019
Emma and Anton's rumba was lovely. I don't understand why Shirley was being so rude and unfair with her comments. BRING LEN BACK!! #Strictly
— Retro RA (@ra_retro) November 2, 2019
is it just me but Emma and Anton seemed to be pulled apart every week by the judges, especially Shirley. They've danced great, I just don't get the harsh comments. #Strictly
— αмуєℓιzαвєтнн• (@amysafcxx) November 2, 2019
Giving my votes to @EmmaBarton and Anton tonight. The heart of #Strictly is about non dancers learning to dance and Emma is trying her hardest. I think Shirley seems a bit down tonight, not fair being too harsh on her either. #StrictlyComeDancing
— LaurJean (@Laura_Jeaan) November 2, 2019
Barton told host Claudia Winkleman that she had spent a lot of time watching YouTube videos of Rumba pro Ballas in preparation for the dance, but that it didn’t seem to have worked.
After being scored just five points by Ballas and hitting the bottom of the leaderboard with 22 points in total, du Beke muttered at the camera: “That’s the last time we YouTube Shirley.”
“That’s the last time we YouTube Shirley” 🤣 Classic Anton #Strictly #BBCStrictly
— Kathryn™ (@KathrynAnne88) November 2, 2019
Viewers were particularly outraged at the scoring as Ballas had also given competition favourite Kelvin Fletcher and struggling celebrity Mike Bushell both the same score of eight points, despite apparently huge differences in their standard of dancing.
#Strictly Seriously, Mike and Katya stay in the competition ahead of Katherine and Johannes last week and then after that shocker they get the same score from you Shirley as you gave Kelvin and Oti....
— Michael Kainth (@MKKainth) November 2, 2019
So Mike Bushell gets more points than Emma B!!! Totally ridiculous. Where was the technical scrutiny that Emma has to endure every week Shirley? #Strictly
— Sue Grigg (@SueGrigg2) November 2, 2019
#Strictly Disgraceful belittling by Shirley Ballas on Anton and Emma's dance this evening,when she praises a couple who just do ' comedy' dancing!!!
— Howard Hebbard (@HebbardHoward) November 2, 2019
Last week, she angered fans by voting to send Catherine Tyldesley home, opting to keep Bushell instead.
Read more: Shirley Ballas warns women not to get breast implants
Meanwhile, Chris Ramsey and Karen Hauer had their strongest week in the competition in joint second place on the leaderboard with 34 points for their couple’s choice witty routine to PJ and Duncan’s Let’s Get Ready to Rumble.
To top things off, Ramsey even got a congratulations from Ant and Dec.
Bringing Byker Groove to the Ballroom. 🙌 @IAmChrisRamsey and @karen_hauer are definitely Ready to Rhumble #Strictly! pic.twitter.com/hHLU2e0Lx2
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 2, 2019
Well I never thought I’d hear #LetsGetReadyToRhumble on #Strictly! 😂
Oh @IAmChrisRamsey, you nailed it man! What a belter!
D— antanddec (@antanddec) November 2, 2019
Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden topped the leaderboard with 39 points for their Quickstep, the highest score pro dancer Dowden has ever got in her time on the show.
Mr Pinstripe Suit aka @kayzer_1 certainly suits the Quickstep! 👔 @dowden_amy #Strictly pic.twitter.com/4bL1aB17GM
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 2, 2019
And it was also a great week for Alex Scott with 31 points as she danced with stand-in partner Kevin Clifton for a second week as Neil Jones struggles to recover from a grade one calf strain.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood told her: “I felt we saw you for the first time tonight and I have to say, this accidental partnership is working wonders.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns for the results show on Sunday at 7.15pm on BBC One.
