Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has asked viewers to have “respect” after she received "hurtful messages" after Sunday’s show.
The 62-year-old came under fire for opting to save Richie Anderson and his professional partner Giovanni Pernice over Fleur East and Vito Coppola in the dance-off.
Although East and Coppola won three out of the four judges’ votes, Ballas said she would have opted to save Anderson instead.
Her comments angered viewers at home who claimed she showed a "biased favouritism" towards certain couples and had some arguing that she should be replaced.
In response to the backlash, Ballas explained on Twitter that she has already received apologies from many for their “hurtful” sentiments and asked viewers to go forward with “respect”.
She penned: "I have received many apologies over the weekend regarding hurtful messages I’ve received on social media.
“All apologies are accepted and from now on let’s all respect each other and enjoy the show. Love to you all.”
Despite her well-meaning post, Ballas’ sentiments were met with many fans asking her to personally apologise to East, who performed an American Smooth to Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid on the weekend.
One penned: “I’m a big fan of yours, I think your critique is always on point. But, your clear disdain for Fleur this weekend was so clear, her dance was brilliant and I think you owe her an apology, not a public 1, but reach out to her personally, this whole thing will knock her confidence.”
“Perhaps Shirley if you didn’t make your favouritism towards the younger males as obvious and had a kinder word or two for some of the female contestants there would be less criticism pointed towards you! In my opinion being ‘kind’ works both ways!” another commented.
A third wrote: “We would all respect you if your comments and scores were not so biased, you have clear and obvious favourites whilst your disdain for others is painful to watch and hurtful for those on the receiving end, fair does not appear to be part of your vocabulary.”
The Evening Standard has contacted Shirley Ballas’ rep for comment.
