BBC Strictly judge Shirley Ballas slammed for 'rude' comments to Ellie Taylor on show after picking up Legends award in Manchester

Shirley Ballas ruffled feathers on Saturday night's Strictly Come Dancing over her critique of Ellie Taylor's cha cha cha to The Shoop Shoop Song. After comedian Ellie and her partner Johannes Radebe paid homage to Cher in the film Mermaids for Movie Week, the head judge came under fire for scolding Ellie.

Before marking Ellie a five out of 10 points, Shirley tapped on the table emphatically as she exclaimed that she wasn't accepting 'heel leads' from now onwards in the BBC dance contest. “No heel leads," she said firmly.

"We are going into week three. You did a natural top, and the first step of every step was a heel lead. So as from today, I’m not accepting - and that goes for everybody else - I am not accepting any heel leads.”

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Some fans took to Twitter to complain that Shirley Ballas was too critical. After she delivered her critique host Tess Daly said Shirley’s comments were “very strict."

@Angel_Rc22 tweeted: "Shirley has her favourites and Ellie T isn't one of them. Thought the tone of her comments was like a teacher telling off a child."

@BethanMarsden wrote: "Shirley needs to remember she’s judging non-dancers here and not to mention it’s WEEK 3!! Talking to Ellie like that was completely unnecessary and rude. @EllieJaneTaylor you were amazing."

@angrykilljoy1 said: "I’m not gonna mention it again but the ridiculous over marking of Ritchie by Shirley has ruined tonight’s show for me. Rude to Ellie. She wasn’t great but she was still better than that."

@MrsGriffMusic asked: "Why is Shirley so rude to Ellie Taylor?" And @natalieguest12 tweeted: "Why is Shirley so unnecessarily rude to Ellie Taylor?"

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