Shirley ruffled a few feather

Strictly Come Dancing fans have called out Shirley Ballas over her critique of 2025 contestants Lewis Cope and Katya Jones.

The beloved dancer was back on the judging panel on Saturday night (October 4) for the glitzy BBC One show’s second live instalment. As usual, Shirley was on hand to share her thoughts on the famous faces taking to the dance floor.

But it appears her critique of actor Lewis Cope and pro partner Katya Jones didn’t go down well with fans, as they claimed that “Shirley isn’t even trying to hide her dislike for Katya”.
 
Lewis and Katya were back on the dance floor (Credit: BBC)

Shirley Ballas divides Strictly viewers after Lewis and Katya dance

On Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday (October 4) actor Lewis Cope and pro partner Katya Jones performed a Viennese Waltz to Lose Control by Teddy Swims.

Sharing her feedback after, Shirley told the Emmerdale star and his dancer: “The music was really refined and soft. I found it all too aggressive.”

The audience then started to boo Shirley to which she aimed her finger and told them: “Hold on, hold on, hold on.”

She went on: “If you never worked on power another day in your life, then do yourself a favour, you’re gifted in it. You can jump, you can split, you can tick all those boxes but then when you get hold of your lady there’s something like a long neck, there is something like posture.”
 
Fans called out Shirley (Credit: BBC)

What did Shirley say?

Shirley continued: “I’m not saying it has to be perfect when you create a line you can have the most ugly line and it can still look beautiful.”

Turning to Katya, Shirley said: “So for you [Katya] when he talks about refinement, that’s what he means.

“He means about the swan-like neck. I get your power, I love everything about your power, I think you’re destined for greatness in this competition but for me, I don’t see the crash, bang, wallop that everybody else sees.”

Despite her critical analysis, Shirley went on to award Lewis and Katya a score of six, giving the pair a total score of 27.
 
Fans reacted to their feedback online (Credit: BBC)

Viewers ‘convinced Shirley dislikes Katya’

However, after Shirley’s comments, Strictly viewers were left livid and accused Shirley of showing disdain towards Katya.

In recent years, fans have claimed Shirley seems to be particularly critical of particular stars of the show, including Katya. And after Shirley’s latest comments, the same claims from fans flew in.

“Shirley is already irritating me this series convinced she dislikes Katya every series,” said one person on X. Another added: “Shirley isn’t even trying to hide her dislike for Katya!”

A third chimed in: “Shirley just doesn’t like Katya does she.” Echoing their thoughts, someone else mused: “What is Shirley’s problem with Katya ? Every time Katya has a contender Shirley is harsh with him.”

Some fans ‘agree’ with Shirley Ballas

A fifth wrote: “So unprofessional and biased. Fed up of her. Feels like she’s going to have a go at him no matter what he does.” A sixth also penned: “Her cruel feud with Katya is too obvious.”

Another viewer also declared: “Shirley needs to be less obvious in her dislike of the wonderful Katya.”

Nonetheless, other Strictly fans defended Shirley, with one person writing: “I completely agree with Shirley Ballas. There’s a time for crash bang wallop. The waltz is not that time. That’s down to the choreographer and not the pupil.”

Another penned: “Why is Shirley getting [bleep]? She is right that was too over the top.” A third chimed in: “Agree with Shirley – it was too much Tango aggression in a Waltz.”

ED! has contacted Shirley’s representatives for comment.

Strictly Come Dancing airs every Saturday on BBC One.