Head judge Shirley Ballas seemingly made a thinly veiled dig at the Hollyoaks and Emmerdale star Gemma Atkinson’s acting skills when she opened Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night.
Shirley claimed the actress needed ‘20% more in the acting skills’ when she took to the floor to perform the Quickstep with her partner Aljaž Škorjanec, 27, to Hello Dolly! from Hello Dolly!
The head judge said: ‘I think you did so well. It’s such an iconic. I mean, just Hello Dolly! It could have had a more of 20% more in the acting skills. She had a swanlike posture. Beautiful footwork. It just needed that 20%.’
Strictly Come Dancing: ‘It could do with more acting skills!’ Shirley Ballas appears to take a cheeky swipe at actress Gemma Atkinson’s abilities… as Mollie and AJ get up close AGAIN
Tess, however, brazenly piped up in defence of the dancing contestant: ‘She is an actress!’
Darcey Bussell also countered the judge’s comments as she revealed she enjoyed the character the star brought to the show.
Bruno said: ‘I love the broadway diva entrance! back off boys, here comes Gemma!’
The British actress looked every inch the Hollywood movie star in her lace-up pink sequinned dress for her musical number.
Shirley claimed the actress needed ‘20% more in the acting skills’ when she took to the floor to perform the Quickstep to Hello Dolly! from Hello Dolly!
Blonde bombshell Gemma glided across the dancefloor with grace as she attempted to channel her inner swan.
Former The Saturdays’ singer Mollie King, 30, and AJ Pritchard, 23, then danced the Rumba to Hopelessly Devoted To You from Grease.
Despite insisting they are not a couple, they have been at the centre of speculation since they were partnered up on the show.
Could it be love? Former The Saturdays’ singer Mollie King, 30, and AJ Pritchard, 23, then danced the Rumba to Hopelessly Devoted To You from Grease
Presenter Tess was quick to tease AJ at the end of the dance, ‘Did you kiss her on the lips?’
‘I could feel the fireworks myself,’ Bruno noted.
Having previously commented on their ‘unbelievable chemistry’, it was no surprise Shirley had plenty to say on their sizzling romance.
Despite insisting they are not a couple, they have been at the centre of speculation since they were partnered up on the show
Shirley said of the dance: ‘You really embraced Sandy and Danny. I believed your love story. You did throw in a lift there.’
Earlier on in the evening the Strictly contestants confidently took to the ballroom donning Victorian costume with show-stopping style to perform a group rendition of a mash-up of songs from Oliver! The Musical including tracks Food Glorious Food and Consider Yourself.
The Glitter Ball trophy is in sight as only six Strictly Come Dancing star couples are left to take to the ballroom for Musicals-themed week for The Quarter Finals.
Having previously commented on their ‘unbelievable chemistry’, it was no surprise Shirley had plenty to say on their sizzling romance
Television sensation Debbie McGee, 59, and Giovanni Pernice, 27, wowed judges with their American Smooth to Memory from Cats, scoring an impressive 39.
Despite having a difficult week with her back problems, the magician’s widow put on a show-stopping performance.
Craig was left with no words following their dance as he just purred when given the opportunity to speak.
Last week, singer Alexandra Burke, 29, survived a shock dance-off with her partner Gorka Márquez, 27.
The songstress has been topping the leader board with her near perfect scores each week yet she was in the bottom two after she secured fourth place.
While the West End beauty sailed through to week 11, comedian Susan Calman, 43, and Kevin Clifton made an emotional exit as the ninth couple to leave on Sunday.
The Broken Heels hitmaker and Gorka will take to the dance floor once again to dance the Charleston to Supercalifragilistic from Mary Poppins.
EastEnders star Davood Ghadami, 35, and Nadiya Bychkova, 28, will try to impress judges with their Argentine Tango to The Phantom Of The Opera from The Phantom Of The Opera.
Holby City hunk Joe McFadden, 42, and Katya Jones, 28, will Samba to Money Money from Cabaret.