BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans hit out at Shirley Ballas' unexpected move and start 'protest'

Strictly Come Dancing fans were left hitting out at Shirley Ballas as they were left stunned by her move in the semi-final. The show's head judge was back in the ballroom for the show's semi-final on Saturday night (December 7).

The penultimate week of the BBC One dance contest saw the five remaining couples perform two dances each in a bid to impress enough to make if through to next weekend's grand final.

Former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and her professional dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec kicked the night off with salsa to Something New by Girls Aloud.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's two favourites will 'battle it out' as both 'at risk' for final spot

Tasha and Aljaz were awarded 35 points by the judges with Shirley calling the dance a "beautiful performance". The judges also said the two could improve upon their transitions and lifts.

But it was later when Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal took to the floor with their first performance of the night that Shirley's comments got viewers talking.

They performed a Foxtrot to Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin which Craig Revel Horwood said 'lacked dynamic style' but described it as a 'confident performance' while Motsi Mabuse told Pete: "You’ve improved at your own pace, showed class and sparkle, be proud of yourself!"

But as mentoned, it was Shirley who went all out with her comments as she ttold Pete that she judged him on how he'd progressed during the competition rather than against anyone else. She said: "You are Mr Strictly Come Dancing. You are what this show is about. Everybody at home, all the parents, will be sitting there and thinking, 'if Pete can do it, I can do it' and you will inspire people to go to the dance studio.

"You had no experience whatsoever