Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Simmonds and her pro dance partner Nikita Kuzmin have clapped back at a row over an 'illegal' lift in their performance on Saturday night's live show. The pair brought the tension of The Apprentice’s boardroom to the dancefloor as they performed to the show’s theme tune on the BBC One dance contest to celebrate the BBC’s centenary.
They performed a dramatic paso doble and secured a score of 30 points out of a possible 40 from the judges. But it didn't come without criticism.
Head judge Shirley Ballas said she deducted a point for an "illegal lift" during the routine. "I only have one little complaint. I do, I'm so sorry," she said. "I do have to deduct one point for an assisted lift at the beginning because that's not allowed. But other than that you were absolutely phenomenal."
