Tag: Shirley Ballas

Strictly star Balvinder Sopal hits back following Shirley Ballas’ criticism as she addresses being in the dance off

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Strictly It Takes Two tonight (Tuesday, October 14) saw Balvinder Sopal discuss being in the dance off on Sunday night’s show (October 12).

Balvinder and her pro dance partner, Julian Caillon, danced off against Ross King and Jowita Przystal on Sunday, with Ross being sent home by the judges.

Balvinder and Julian were in the dance off (Credit: BBC)

Strictly star Balvinder Sopal on being in the dance off

Speaking to Fleur East during tonight’s show, Balvinder addressed her performance on Saturday (October 11), which saw Shirley Ballas criticise her footwork and technique.

“The footwork for me was by no means very good,” Shirley said at the time.

“Hold on, hold on, because I do believe that Balvinder is going to go far. But she’s not going to go far if everything is mushy and cushy and ‘oh you’re just great’. I want her to learn something. I want you to pay attention to a heel turn. Heel turns were missed. The slows weren’t quite there. The quick quicks looked a bit stuck. So I believe that with all this beauty and finesse that you have given, you are stunning, but footwork will need attention.”

Shirley then gave them a score of six.

Speaking about the foxtrot, Balvinder said: “Well, I’m very proud. When I watched it back, I thought it looked absolutely beautiful. We played the parts really beautifully. I think audiences connected with it as well. You know, there was a real warmth to the foxtrot. And it was beautiful to dance as well.”

Balvinder felt as though her dance with Julian was “beautiful” (Credit: BBC)

‘Something went amiss’

Continuing, Balvinder laughed: “I felt like we were connected, but something went amiss.”

The star then went on to say that each week, it gets “easier” confidence-wise as she knows the “formula now”. She added that it helps having an audience there, cheering them on and wanting them to do well.

Balvinder then went on to speak about the “incredible” support she’s received over the weekend.

“My phone was on fire with messages of support and people disagreeing with the outcome,” she then said.

Balvinder spoke about the dance off (Credit: BBC)

Balvinder on being in the dance off

The star then continued, saying that the support “kind of restored a little bit of confidence in me, you know, that we are hitting all the right tones with the public, which is a great thing.

“I think people thought we were safe, which is maybe why they didn’t vote for us…,” she then said.

“But, you know, at the same time, there’s always going to be two couples in the bottom two, and you just never know which way it’s gonna go,” Julian then added.

Balvinder then added that they handled being in the bottom two “really well” and were “really calm”.

“I was actually more stressed about the fact that Bal was calm, because either she is pumped, she’s ready to go, or it’s absolutely fallen apart. Deep down I knew that we were going to go out there and do our thing,” Julian then added.

Read more: Strictly Come Dancing star Chris Robshaw reveals his family are ‘loving’ his time on the show

It Takes Two continues tomorrow night (Wednesday, October 15) at 6.30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

What do you think? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix. We want to know your thoughts!

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Robert Emlyn Slater

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October 14, 2025
Strictly star Shirley Ballas addresses ‘super-strict’ training amid Giovanni Pernice investigation

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Shirley Ballas continues to show her support for Giovanni Pernice. Speaking with press on Saturday, the Strictly judge was quizzed about her co-star, amid the BBC’s ongoing investigation into his teaching style.

“I’ve known Giovanni for 10 years, and he’s a good friend of mine. But I’m not involved on any side of that [the investigation],” she said. “I think before I speak, and I stay in my lane, which is ballroom dancing. I think everybody goes into Strictly with the best will in the world to entertain the country.”

© Instagram
Shirley Ballas was asked about the ongoing investigation into Giovanni Pernice’s teaching style

Noting that in the dancing industry “everybody is very competitive,” Shirley acknowledged that it can be difficult to navigate training as a professional.

“You don’t want to kill their enthusiasm or the thought that they can be the Glitterball champion. So, I think sometimes, words can be cruel and people deliver them in not a great way. I learned the difference.

© Karwai Tang
Shirley noted that the dance industry can be ‘very competitive’

“I can be super-strict when somebody is trying to win the gold medal, then I can still be quite strict but in a positive way on Strictly so they will learn something. That’s always ongoing for me. I’m always searching for the best way I can bring great constructive criticism.”

After working with Giovanni for years, Shirley has come to his defence in recent months, following reports of a feud between the star and his former dance partner, Amanda Abbington.

In January, Shirley was asked about Giovanni’s approach to teaching while appearing on Lorraine. “I’ve known Giovanni for many years and he is an absolutely splendid teacher,” she replied.

© Shutterstock
Shirley has continued to defend Giovanni in recent months

“My only ever experience with him is he is an absolute gentlemen. He gives 100%. Strictly and shows like that, they are tough shows so you know when you sign up for that kind of thing. It’s quite difficult to do the show.”

Amanda was partnered with Giovanni in the most recent series of Strictly, but abruptly quit after a few weeks citing “personal reasons” that left her “unable to continue”. She has subsequently opened up about her time on the show, revealing that she had been diagnosed with PTSD after Strictly.

© BBC
Giovanni with his former dance partner Amanda Abbington

As a result, the BBC has launched an investigation. It has also been confirmed that Giovanni will not be joining the Strictly line-up for 2024, and is instead performing in his namesake tour, Giovanni Pernice – The Last Dance.

While the star has been keeping a low profile, on June 16 he penned a statement on Instagram, insisting that “the latest accusations are simply false” and that he is “cooperating” with the investigation.

“I have stayed silent, but I am looking forward to the conclusion of the investigation and ultimately clearing my name and establishing the truth,” he continued. “I am so happy to be back on tour. Thank you all for your continued support – your messages and love mean so very much to me.”

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Megan Bull

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July 7, 2024
Strictly judges fuel viewers’ claims they want Angela Rippon to make it to Blackpool as they forgive ‘little slip’ in routine

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The Strictly Come Dancing judging team fuelled accusations of a ‘fix’ in their scoring of star Angela Rippon last night (November 11).

With the race on for the all-important Blackpool week, many viewers wondered whether the veteran broadcaster was receiving preferential treatment so she may make it to Blackpool with the others.

Performing the paso doble to Hung Up by Madonna with partner Kai Widdrington, Angela, 79 impressed the judges – in spite of a minor slip-up during the routine.

Angela impressed the judges last night… but was the scoring deserved? (Credit: BBC)

‘This pasa doble is going to Blackpool,’ gush Strictly judges of Angela Rippon

As the judges gave their thoughts, it was clear that they had been impressed by Angela and Kai’s performance.

“This is a paso doble and this paso doble is going to Blackpool, ladies and gentlemen,” gushed judge Motsi Mabuse.

Lead judge Shirley Ballas highlighted the “slip” in Angela’s routine, but then reassured her that “it didn’t matter”.

“You had a little slip over there but it doesn’t matter you know why? Because you collected your core, I saw it in your face; you pulled it up and thought I’m not giving into this move and you didn’t,” enthused Shirley.

Angela and Kai scored an impressive 32 points for their routine, with eight points from each of the judges, in spite of Shirley’s earlier comments.

The high scores did little to quash rumours that Angela is being over-scored by the judges – who fans think want to see her reach Blackpool at any cost.

Angela and Kai scored highly, in spite of her mistake (Credit: BBC)

Strictly fans claim ‘fix’ following judges’ scoring

As the points were revealed, Strictly fans shared their fury on Twitter (now X). Some suggested that the judges had a vested interest in keeping Angela in the competition. Many highlighted Shirley’s oversight and Motsi’s comment about Blackpool as being particularly telling.

“Alright, I’m going to say it. I think they’re over marking/saving Angela Rippon because the production team have plans for her to do a big nostalgia piece about Come Dancing in the Blackpool show,” wrote one fan.

“Just bringing this back after last night where Shirley said: ‘You slipped up but it doesn’t matter’ to Angela. Despite telling other people in previous weeks that she can’t ignore/overlook mistakes,” said another. This was in reference to last week’s show, in which judges overlooked another mistake.

“Did Shirley actually say ‘you slipped up but it doesn’t matter’ to Angela? Yet they sent home Adam [Thomas] for a mistake?” asked a third.

“BLATANT FIX! If ANYONE ELSE slipped they would’ve been wrecked and given fives! Angela’s had NO fast dances and the leg extension can [bleep] OFF now!” another wrote.

With the judges already under fire for their scoring this week, this marks another scandal in the eyes of Strictly fans. But do you think Angela is being unfairly favoured?

Last week, a BBC source told ED!: “All of the judges are hugely experienced individuals who judge on dance and dance alone in the main show and in the dance-offs. Any conspiracy theories suggesting otherwise are simply untrue.”

The Strictly results show is on tonight (November 12) at 7.20pm on BBC One.

Read more: Bobby Brazier’s Strictly confession ‘the person I share a bed with’ confirms romance rekindled?

So what do you think Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.

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Joel Harley

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November 12, 2023