Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has softened and gave more 'humble' feedback following a backlash from viewers.
The judge, 62, has come under fire this series for some harsh criticisms against celebrities including singer Fleur East and 80s pop icon Matt Goss. Viewers have even called for Shirley to be sacked from the BBC show, and have labelled her as sexist for appearing to reward male dancers more kindly than female performers.
However, Saturday night's show saw the former award-winning latin dancer and head judge appear subdued and 'vulnerable' as she gave more humble comments to celebrities and dancers.
Saturday night's show saw some spectacular marks from the judges, including multiple tens from judges Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas. Compared to previous weeks, it appeared Shirley had reversed on some of her former harsh criticisms.
Body language expert Judi James claims Shirley decided to "unleash her inner saccharine" instead of bringing back sharp comments.
Judi explained: "With Anton winning the ‘Best TV Judge’ award at the NTAs the night before and placing it proudly on his desk, within grasping distance of Shirley Ballas, we could easily have seen a return to the ‘Queen of Mean’ head judge that the fans of Strictly have been complaining about for the past couple of weeks.
"Instead Shirley decided to unleash her inner saccharine tonight, rising to her feet to applaud Anton in a generous gesture and then standing up to clap many of the dances later, rather than making any harsh-sounding criticisms as she did with Ellie T last week."
Comedian Ellie Taylor was one of the latest victims of Shirley's critical eye, after she danced the Cha Cha Cha with partner Johannes Radebe.
Judi commented: "Poor Ellie appeared to be bracing herself tonight as she waited to hear from Shirley, with three emphatic tongue-poke gestures suggesting she was preparing to hear the worst. Instead Shirley told her ‘You did very well’."
It wasn't just Ellie that Shirley appeared to have made a U-turn on, but she had also softened to other contestants too. Judi added: "She was on her feet after Tony’s dance, saying she was ‘proud’ of him and she was up again for Fleur, performing an invisible brick gesture to signal precise and exacting comments."
With viewers rallying against Shirley after some of her previous comments in weeks one to three, it seems Shirley could be reigning it in for fear of more backlash. Judi explained that Shirley appeared more 'vulnerable' this week than on previous appearances.
Judi said: "This was a much more humble and even vulnerable-looking Shirley, whose upper arms remained close against her ribs to give a less confident look than last week.
"It was Anton getting up to showboat some moves this time while Shirley smiled sweetly, offering encouragement to all of the dancers."
Earlier this week, Shirley spoke out on social social media to ask fans for "respect" after receiving hundreds of hurtful messages for her judging.
She also addressed claims in an appearance on Loose Women, where she rejected claims that she gave better marks and critique to the men on the show, pointing out that she would have saved Kaye Adams over Matt Goss in the second week.
Responding directly to the sexism allegations, she said: "I have to judge what I like... it's a tough industry and it always get a bit emotional.
"I do read everything [online] but I think it's quite important... it is really hurtful, some of the language is so explicit, it's unfathomable."
She explained that while the nasty comments made her "resilient", a "wall goes up".
Shirley insisted that she "doesn't have a mean bone in [her] body" and that her comments come from 45 years of experience in the tough dancing world.
