She was recently the centre of a barrage of fan criticism for scolding host Claudia Winkleman for ‘slouching’ during Sunday’s results show.
But Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas slammed her critics on Monday night, after being accused of ‘over-marking’ some couples by fans on social media.
The 57-year-old now says she does not care about what viewers think of her judging, replying, ‘they’re not ballroom dancers.’
Bite back: Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas slammed fans who criticised her ‘over-marking’ on the BBC, saying ‘they’re not ballroom dancers’
Speaking at the Pride of Britain awards, the champion dancer told The Sun: ‘I have been an adjudicator all my life. People are judged against themselves and not against each other. Every journey is a different one.
‘In some ways I love the viewers but they’re not ballroom dancers. Some of them are and they have great constructive criticism.
‘But it doesn’t matter if you like one thing because someone is always going to like the opposite of what you like and that’s OK, it’s what makes the world go round.’
It follows yet more criticism this week for scolding host Claudia while trying to demonstrate posture.
The head jude had been discussing Alexandra Burke’s core strength when she made the comment about the presenter slouching – leading fans to brand her as ‘rude’ and ‘patronising’ onTwitter.
Awkward: Shirley caused a stir among Strictly fans on Sunday night, after she scolded host Claudia Winkleman (R) for ‘slouching’ during the results show
Awkward: The 57-year-old had been discussing Alexandra Burke’s core when she made the comment about the presenter’s posture – leading fans to brand her as ‘rude’ and ‘patronising’
Shirley had been looking back at the Halloween performances on the show, when the awkward incident occurred.
Explaining Alexandra’s posture to viewers, the ballroom judge asked Claudia to help her by stating: ‘Will you stand up for a minute, as you do slouch a bit?’
Met with gasps from the audience, the 45-year-old presenter was visibly shocked by the comment, and immediately responded with: ‘Ooh, that’s a brave thing to say!’
Doing her bit: Shirley had been looking back at the Halloween performances on the show, when the awkward incident occurred
Straight talking: The ballroom judge asked Claudia to help her demonstrate by stating: ‘Will you stand up for a minute, as you do slouch a bit?’, leaving the presenter in shock
Standing her ground: Met with gasps from the audience, the 45-year-old presenter (R) was visibly shocked by the comment, and responded with: ‘Ooh, that’s a brave thing to say!’
Laughing the moment off, Shirley then straightened Claudia’s back in front of viewers, explaining: ‘You need to pull in the fuse box and flatten the chest!’
In her usual witty style, Claudia then proceeded to slowly sit back down with her back rigid and upright, to the delight of the audience.
However, the incident was met with huge backlash from viewers – who took to Twitter to blast Shirley as ‘rude’ and patronising’.
Carrying on: Laughing the moment off, Shirley then straightened Claudia’s back in front of viewers, explaining: ‘You need to pull in the fuse box and flatten the chest!’
Funny girl: In her usual witty style, Claudia then proceeded to slowly sit back down with her back rigid and upright, to the delight of the audience
Fans wrote in their droves: ‘I do find Shirley very patronising’, ‘My god Shirley is so rude’ and ‘Oh my god how rude was Shirley to Claudia !? every week I’m liking her less and less.’
Another unimpressed fan chimed in: ‘I think the remarks of Shirley towards Claudia crossed a line. RemindS me of a mother who only criticises.’
As others added: ‘So Shirley is rude & embarrassing to Claude & assumed the public are idiots not knowing what a ‘core’ is; good grief’ and ‘I like Shirley but why be such a total b***h to Claudia? How rude and unkind. What a horrible thing to do.’
Not impressed: However, Shirley’s comment was met with huge backlash from viewers
‘If you can’t say anything nice, keep quiet!’: Viewers took to Twitter to blast Shirley as ‘rude’ and patronising’
A further fan blasted the comment as ‘unkind’, stating: ‘Shirley didn’t your parents teach you? ‘ if you can’t say anything nice- keep quiet’ #unkind’
While another expressed their hope that Shirley will be scolded herself for her behaviour, writing: ‘How rude is Shirley telling Claudia she slouches, I hope she gets pulled up on it off screen.’
However, a number of other fans were quick to see the funny side of the incident, and branded the moment as TV gold.
In stitches! However, a number of other fans were quick to see the funny side of the incident, and branded the moment (above) as TV gold
Playful: Many viewers acknowledged the funny side, and even branded Shirley an ‘icon’ for the comment
Having a ball: Her fellow judges did not seem bothered by the comment as their critique continued as normal
Farewell: Elsewhere on the show TV chef Simon Rimmer (L) was the fifth celebrity eliminated, after a shock dance-off with Mollie King (R)
One viewer kicked things off by writing: ‘Shirley scolding Claudia’s posture. Single best tv moment of the decade ?’
As others added: ‘Loving Shirley sorting out Claudia’s ‘sack of potatoes’ posture’, ‘Shirley shading Claudia. What an ICON’ and ‘I do love Shirley’
Another addressed the light-hearted nature of the moment, adding: ‘A bit patronising to @ClaudiaWinkle Shirley! But quite funny’
While further fans claimed they were left in hysterics by the gaffe, interjecting: ‘Oh my days that moment with Claudia and Shirley, had me in stitches’ and ‘Fair play to Shirley, that was quite funny!’
Elsewhere on the show TV chef Simon Rimmer was the fifth celebrity eliminated, after a shock dance-off with Mollie King.
Proud: Simon said of the show: ‘Do you know it has been the most amazing experience ever, from the minute I walked in through the door’ (pictured with partner Karen Clifton)
Strictly star: Contestant Debbie McGee was beaming as she arrived at the BBC studios on Tuesday for an appearance on The One Show
Happy: Carrying a beautiful bunch of flowers, Debbie was all bundled up as she arrived at the studio
New dance: Debbie next routine will be an energetic tango to I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas
Pressure: Debbie will have a lot to live up to this weekend, after her spooktacular Charleston scored 39 out of 40
Lovely: Debbie seemed delighted with her gifts as she arrived for the interview
Good spirits: After her interview, Debbie flashed a beaming smile to the cameras as she exited BBC’s Broadcasting House
Classic: The radio presenter rocked a classic beehive for the appearance on The One Show
Support: Debbie stopped to chat to fans outside the studio
Italian Stallion: Debbie’s Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice also stopped to sign autographs after the interview
Pals: The dancing duo have wowed fans with their routines week after week, with Debbie emerging as a favourite to win the show