Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas makes last minute outfit change after animal rights charity slammed BBC show for ‘cruel and gory’ element to costumes

Shirley Ballas was forced to make a last minute outfit change after animal rights charity PETA slammed the BBC show for its use of feathers. 

The show’s head judge, 64, looked incredible in a one-shouldered bright red sequin dress for Sunday’s results show. 

Shirley opened Saturday night’s ICONS live show wearing an incredible Cher costume, before changing into the red gown to film the pre-recorded results.

But it has now been revealed that the red dress was actually meant to be adorned with ostrich feathers – which had to be hurriedly plucked off in between filming.

Last week PETA complained to the BBC about the use of bird plumage in the show’s costumes, a practice which is often painful and sometimes fatal for birds. 

Last week PETA complained to the BBC about the use of bird plumage in the show’s costumes, a practice which is often painful and sometimes fatal for birds

A source told The Sun: ‘Shirley was shocked by the suddenness of it all and because the outfit pulled to bits was quite glamorous and expensive.

‘There wasn’t time to change into another outfit and the whole show is run to a tight schedule.

‘Wardrobe assistants had to quickly ensure there were no feathers, even fellow judge Motsi Mabuse was said to be helping ensure they’d disappeared without a trace.’

The show was slammed last week by animal rights charity PETA for the cruel use of real feathers in this year’s glitzy costumes and claimed that said bird plumage is often cruelly harvested.

The animal rights’ organisation says the ‘gory, not glamorous’ use of bird feathers has ‘no place on the dancefloor’.

PETA pleaded with show bosses to use alternative products in a letter. 

Fashion designers such as Stella McCartney have added feathers to their list of banned items and made a pledge to go feather-free. 

PETA said that the ‘gory, not glamourous’ use of birds feathers have ‘no place on the dancefloor’ as they pleaded with show bosses to use alternative products (Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin pictured)

Shirley opened Saturday night’s ICONS live show wearing an incredible Cher costume, before changing into the red gown to film the pre-recorded results

PETA’s vice president of corporate projects Yvonne Taylor wrote in a letter to show bosses that Strictly Come Dancing should follow suit. 

The document, obtained by The Sun, reads: ‘Like many Brits, we love the dazzling dances Strictly Come Dancing brings to our screens, but we must spotlight one major concern: the series’ use of feathers.’

She continued: ‘Real birds’ feathers are a product of extreme cruelty to animals and have no place on your dance floor. 

‘They are gory, not glamorous.’

PETA pleaded with show bosses to use alternative products in a letter (Lauren Oakley pictured)

In the letter, Yvonne added that the industry was ‘shrouded by mystery’ and ‘black market activity’.

‘Live plucking, which is common, causes birds immense pain and sometimes fatal injuries,’ she explained. 

MailOnline contacted the BBC for comment.