Shirley Ballas has urged fans to "respect each other" as she reacted to apologies she'd received following a flurry of hurtful messages from Strictly Come Dancing viewers over the weekend.
The head judge of the BBC dance competition faced furious backlash over her choice to save Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice over Fleur East and Vito Coppola this week.
She previously faced criticism for the comments she made towards comedian Ellie Taylor during Movie Week.
Some viewers called for Shirley to be removed from the judging panel, which is made up of herself, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood.
After 34-year-old Fleur and Vito, 30, won the judges' votes in the dance off against Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice – following a public vote which left viewers outraged – Shirley revealed she would have opted to save the DJ and last year's winner Giovanni.
When Tess Daly asked if she agreed with her fellow judges, Shirley said: "With the two couples that the public put in the bottom two I would have saved Richie."
Tess pointed out: "Of course it makes no difference to the result." But, fans of the BBC dance contest were fuming on social media.
One wrote: "If Shirley, genuinely thought Richie was better than Fleur (which in sure she didn't) then she shouldn't be a judge on Strictly anymore, let alone Head Judge."
Another added: "Welcome to Strictly! It's always been a popularity contest. There's no rhyme nor reason for the voting. If it were on pure talent, Alexandra Burke would have won. Shirley is horrible. Spiteful and arrogant."
"Get rid of Shirley now!," a third demanded.
"Shirley biased, really needs to give up the head judge seat she’s harsh esp to the women and has made some ridiculous comments over the years to the men! #Strictly", another added. [sic]
And it appears some even took to Shirley's DMs to send her hurtful messages as she tweeted to reveal she'd even received some apologies from viewers.
She wrote on Twitter : "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" followed by a red heart emoji.
Some fans replied to Shirley's tweet to send her messages of support as one wrote: "Aw Shirley so sorry you getting these people saying things. I know it’s not the answer always but I say to my kids if you can say anything nice then don’t say anything at all! I’ve always found it works. Some people don’t realise what may not upset them can upset others!"
"Well. Glad you have been getting apologies. There is no need for such horrible behaviour from supposed "fans" of the show. Hiding behind screens is the problem, they would never say it to your face," another added.
A third wrote: "I'm glad people apologised to you. Social media is rubbish sometimes. Your dress was gorgeous on Saturday by the way. You looked stunning. XxX".
It comes after Strictly fans accused the voting public of racism as Fleur and Richie ended up in the bottom two.
Former The X Factor star Fleur, 34, danced the American Smooth with Vito Coppola to The Little Mermaid's Part Of Your World.
Meanwhile, Richie and his dance partner Giovanni Pernice performed a Samba to Lion King's Hakuna Matata.
Fleur put on a dazzling performance with Vito, 30, and received a total on 29 points from judges while 34-year-old Richie and Giovanni, 32, were given 27 points from the judges – meaning the couples were both in the middle of the leaderboard.
However, they were forced to do the dance off after the public vote landed them in the bottom two on Sunday.
The result of the public vote left many fuming, with viewers accusing the voting public of racism on Twitter.
One wrote: "I kind of wonder if it's because of the (admittedly stupid) controversy regarding a black Ariel in Disney's live-action Little Mermaid. People might have seen Fleur East portraying Ariel on Strictly too and decided not to vote for her, because of their racist views. #Strictly".
"Racist Britain alive and well. So sad that Fleur and him were in the bottom two," another penned.
Another added: "I see the racist BBC voting public turned up again for Strictly - I jokingly said I wonder which two people of colour the voting public would put in the dance off. I didn’t expect to be proven right outrageous Fleur was in the dance off! #Strictly".
Another viewer penned: "Absolutely dreadful result, should not have been in the bottom 2, neither couple should have. Terrible strictly.."
