Strictly Come Dancing’s head judge Shirley Ballas said she was “mortified” that Loose Women star Kaye Adams was the first to leave this year’s series, claiming her fellow judges made a mistake in sending her packing. Kaye became the first contestant to leave on Sunday as she faced singer Matt Goss in the dance off.
Kaye and her partner Kai Widdrington performed their Charleston to Music! Music! Music! By Dorothy Provine, while Matt and Nadiya Bychkova performed their Samba to Night Fever by the Bee Gees.
As Craig, Motsi and Anton chose to save Matt and Nadiya, Matt sailed through to Movies Week and Kaye was the first to leave the competition. Shirley seemed visibly shocked by the result and told presenter Tess Daly: “I thought due to a little better quality, I would have saved Kaye and Kai.” You can get more TV news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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Now Shirley has gone a step further and said she is “mortified” by what happened. Appearing on The One Show on Wednesday evening alongside Ben Shephard, Shirley told presenters Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas: “I just felt that on the evening both couples made mistakes, but the quality of Kaye was far superior on the evening, and I was absolutely mortified that she left to be quite honest.
“I love my fellow judges and we’re all there to do a job, but in my opinion that was one they didn’t quite get right. Sometimes I’m just delighted when they can agree and it’s not my job to send someone home. But she was - she had - the most beautiful, beautiful movement. She was fluid, and I like fluidity - so there you go.”
Fans watching at home have been amazed by Shirley’s comments. @Stubbsisgo tweeted: "I'm shocked Shirley would have saved Kaye and Kai!" And @CSRizzoli23 gasped: "Omg Shirley would have saved Kaye wow i'm shocked about that."
@LPyndsey commented: "Shirley makes the strangest decisions sometimes, Kaye literally forgot half the routine and just stood about for some bits...and she would have saved them?!" And @Jordaniaxxxxx asked: "Ummmm so what exactly did Shirley see????"
When asked by Tess about their time on the show, Kaye said: “It was the right result and I did make mistakes, and when it comes to that high pressured situation that’s what happens. So I am delighted for Matt and Nadiya, the only person I am just sorry for is this wonderful man [Kai], who has just been so brilliant.
"It was a hell of a lot of fun, I said my ambition was to learn to love to dance, and actually I have seen a whole new side to myself, it’s opened a little door. It’s been a wonderful experience and to spend time with such talented people who love the show so much has been a joy!"
Kai said: “Well, you know, only we know how much real hard work has gone into this. There has been lots of ups and downs and we won’t go into them, but this lady is a trooper, and I know what she’s been going through in the week. For this woman to come out and give the performance that she did tonight really shows the testament to her character.
"I am proud of you, I know that your girls and your other half are proud of you. But the most important thing is that you should be proud of yourself, because you are a superstar.”
The remaining fourteen couples will take to the dancefloor next week with a Movie Week special, and Shirley said she couldn’t wait. She said: “Movie week is going to have all those famous tunes that everyone loves. There's going to be baubles, bangles, and loads of beads. There will be different performances going on, lots of dances across the board this week. I think Movie Week is one of my most favourite weeks.”
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