Viewers were left feeling upset for the crestfallen soap star

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas came under fire last night (October 11) for her comments towards EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal.

Last night was Movie Week, with Cynthia Erivo joining the panel. Balvinder and partner Julian Caillon danced a foxtrot to The Way You Look Tonight from the movie Swing Time.

And, although viewers loved it, she did receive some constructive criticism from the judges. So constructive that Shirley was even booed by the studio audience.


Balvinder and Julian danced a foxtrot last night (Credit: BBC)

Strictly judge Shirley Ballas’ comments to Balvinder Sopal

After their dance, Balvinder and Julian joined Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly to receive their comments from the judges.

Shirley told her: “I agree with everyone about the grace and the elegance, but it needs finish with the ends of your hands and your arms. But,” she added, “the footwork for me was by no means very good,” as the audience booed.

“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,” she said, before giving more critique.

“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.

“But I think you’re great, like everybody said, but let’s pay attention to those little small details.”

Speaking to Claudia Winkleman, Balvinder said: “I do need to think about footwork and moving through my movements and finishing them.”

The scores were then handed out. Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse gave Balvinder a 7, while Shirley and Anton Du Beke gave her a 6.


Shirley Ballas’ feedback was met with boos from the studio audience (Credit: BBC)

Viewers react

Furious comments quickly appeared on social media as a crestfallen Balvinder went up to the Clauditorium to get her scores.

“Shirley there was a far nicer way to talk to Bal and you know it,” said one. “Shirley has finally found the woman she’s gonna tear apart every week now… poor Balvinder,” said a second.

A third added: “The abysmal Shirley tearing ar Bal apart but giving a certain young male a 9 for doing naff all!” “Shirley giving George [Clarke] a 9 but only giving Bal a 6 is criminal,” said another, hitting out at the scores.

“Shirley definitely isn’t a girly girl! Bigs up the lads bit loves to tear down some of the ladies!” said another.

However, others thought Shirley had a point when it came to her critique of the soap star. They said: “Shirley is right by the way. Not her biggest fan but she was spot on Balvinder’s footwork in that dance was average at best.”