Strictly Come Dancing viewers have been demanding judge Shirley Ballas is 'removed from the panel' following the second dance-off of the series. Fans of the hit BBC ballroom dancing competition watched as TV and radio personality Richie Anderson and his partner, Giovanni Pernice were asked to repeat their third week dances again, as were singer Fleur East and Vito Coppola.
Manchester Evening News reports that BBC Radio 2 presenter Richie and Giovanni performed their samba to Hakuna Matata from The Lion King once more. Meanwhile, X Factor star Fleur and Vito, who have been favourites to lift the glitterball since the start of the 20th series last month, hit the floor to reprise their American Smooth to Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid.
Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke, and Motsi Mabuse all chose to save Fleur and Vito, meaning they had the majority vote. As a result, Richie and Strictly's reigning champion Giovanni were sent home, making them the second duo to leave the series this year.
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After their exit was decided, presenter Tess Daly asked head judge Shirley Ballas who she would've saved. The Queen of Latin divulged that she would have saved the unlucky pair, telling Tess: "Well with the two couples the public put in the bottom two I would have saved Richie and Giovanni."
Tess replied: "Of course, it makes no difference to the result."
But some fans were not happy with Shirley's response, with viewers taking to social media to express their anger. Chloe Carroll wrote on Twitter: "I'm sorry, but can the producers replace Shirley next year?"
"Shirley Ballas should be removed from the panel," said Lizzie Man Neon. "She’s setting a bad example, she cannot celebrate the young, female celebrities."
Megan wrote: "Craig 4 head judge please."
C said: "Shirley Ballas needs replacing as head judge. If she’s not letching over the male contestants, she over-critiquing the women of colour. She’s particularly bad this series."
Shirley raised eyebrows the previous weekend, after she claimed she would've saved Loose Women panellist Kaye Adams over Bros star Matt Goss in the first dance-off of the series. Meanwhile, her fellow judges chose to save Matt and Nadiya, booting Kaye and Kai out of the competition.
However, Shirley said she would have decided to save them. When asked if she agreed with the other judges, Shirley said at the time: "I didn’t."
Host Tess Daly asked: "You didn't?" And Shirley explained: "I thought due to a little better quality, I would have saved Kaye and Kai."
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