Strictly fans hit out at Shirley Ballas for Ellie Leach comment in final after judge is accused of sexism

STRICTLY Come Dancing fans have taken fire at Shirley Ballas over her scoring of Ellie Leach in Saturday’s grand final.

The BBC show’s head judge, 63, has already been accused of “sexism” earlier this series – and the last instalment this weekend was no different.

6

Strictly Come Dancing fans have taken aim at Shirley Ballas for ‘sexist’ scoring in the show finalCredit: BBC

6

It came as the head judge said she would have given Ellie and Vito’s Showdance ‘a 20 paddle’Credit: BBC

6

The pair were overjoyed to be crowned Strictly winners in the live showCredit: BBC

Despite Ellie Leach, 22, and partner Vito Coppola, 31, being crowned Strictly’s 2023 champions, fans reckon she was robbed of points by Shirley – who went on to gave a perfect score to Layton Williams.

During the Coronation Street star’s second routine of the night – a Showdance to a Jennifer Lopez Megamix – Shirley described it as “one of the hardest routines I’ve ever seen.”

Despite a fumble at the end, which saw Ellie left unstable after clambering on to the Italian’s shoulders, Shirley – a stickler for technique – said: “I would have given you a 20 paddle if I’d had one.”

Despite this, in the scoring, she offered a nine – one point shy of the maximum 10-mark.

Fans took to X to call out sexism, with one writing: “‘If I had a 20 paddle you’d have it’ says Shirley to Ellie and Vito. The judge with a 10 paddle….Who then gives a…. 9 !!???”

Another quizzed: “Did Shirley lose her 10 paddle ? I mean after the routine she gave a 10 last week – she should have been putting 20 up,” as a third wrote: “How can Shirley give her a 9 when she just said if she had a 20 paddle she’d have got it out?”

Another then cruelly put: “Shirley promising a 20 paddle and then delivering a 9. Is there a more evil woman existing in Britain right now?”

One then surmised: “Shirley saying she’d give #Ellie a 20 paddle if she had one then giving her a 9 sums up the discrepancy between comments and scores this season.”

In the semi final, Shirley again sparked a sexism row when she gave tennis player Annabel Croft the boot.

It came after second favourite Annabel, 57, and professional partner Johannes Radebe, 36, danced off against EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier, 20, and Dianne Buswell, 34.

Fellow judges Motsi Mabuse, 42, and Anton Du Beke, 57, had voted to save Bobby, while hard-to-please Craig Revel Horwood, 58, had  backed Annabel and Johannes.

Yet Shirley used her head judge prerogative to send her home.

In the early stages of the BBC1 show, Shirley gave the lowest scores out of all four judges to former newsreader Angela Rippon, 79, ex Corrie  star Ellie and media personality Zara McDermott, 26.

Last year, she was criticised for saying she would have saved BBC TV and radio personality Richie Anderson, 36, when the other judges saved singer-songwriter Fleur East, 36.

At the time, a Strictly source said: “All of the judges are hugely experienced individuals who judge on dance and dance alone.

“Any conspiracy theories circulating via social media suggesting otherwise are simply untrue.”

6

A lift mishap marred the pair’s second danceCredit: BBC

6

Meanwhile, Shirley pulled out a 10 paddle for Layton in his second routineCredit: BBC

6

Fan-favourite Ellie triumphed despite the scoresCredit: BBC