Shirley Ballas Faces Growing Calls To Leave Strictly Come Dancing After Lacey Turner Criticism Sparks Outrage

Shirley Ballas is facing renewed pressure to leave Strictly Come Dancing after viewers accused the head judge of being unnecessarily harsh towards EastEnders star Lacey Turner during the latest live show.

The 66-year-old judge drew a furious reaction from fans after delivering a blunt assessment of Turner’s Tango, with many questioning not only her comments but also the way she chose to express them. The backlash comes just days after viewers criticised Ballas for saving Shaun Wright-Phillips over Jaime Winstone in the dance-off.

Her latest remarks have prompted calls for the BBC dance competition to find a new head judge next year, with some viewers suggesting potential replacements.

Shirley Ballas’ Criticism Of Lacey Turner Draws Boos

Turner, 38, took to the dance floor with professional partner Vito Coppola to perform a Tango to Blondie’s Atomic. While fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke offered more encouraging assessments, Ballas was considerably less impressed.

“There were some things that I liked. Shall I start with that? It was a powerful routine,” she began, prompting loud boos from the audience.

Ballas then made it clear that she had several reservations about the performance.

“Oh, I haven’t even started yet,” she said before explaining that the routine contained too much for her liking.

“It had everything in it, but the kitchen sink for me. For me, it was over-syncopated and it looked rough. You weren’t on the correct side of the body.”

The judge acknowledged Turner’s commitment and energy, adding that she believed the actress had considerable talent. However, she insisted that Turner needed to improve her technique.

“But at the end of the day, you’ve also got to be able to stand on your feet and you’ve also got to have some decent footwork,” Ballas concluded.

Her comments prompted an immediate reaction from Revel Horwood, who appeared to disagree with the severity of her assessment.

The judge stood up from his seat and picked up the pair of shoes Ballas keeps behind her desk, placing them in his mouth before declaring: “Put that in your gob.”

The moment made his disagreement clear and quickly became one of the most memorable reactions to the exchange.

Viewers Demand A New Head Judge

Ballas’ assessment did not go down well with a section of the show’s audience. Taking to social media, viewers accused her of being overly critical and questioned whether her feedback was fair to Turner, particularly given the actress’s reported struggles with self-confidence.

One viewer praised Revel Horwood’s reaction, writing: “Craig was all of us during Shirley’s feedback for Lacey last night.”

The same viewer argued that Ballas had singled Turner out for particularly harsh criticism, adding that the show needed a new head judge who could offer feedback that was fair, honest and constructive rather than “manipulate and patronising.”

Others were equally frustrated, claiming that Ballas appeared to have favourites among the contestants while treating others more harshly.

“Rinse and repeat with Shirley, has her favourites and her targets, she is vile,” one viewer wrote.

They went on to praise Turner’s performance, arguing that she had done well for a non-professional dancer competing in only her fifth week. The viewer also called for Ballas to leave the programme, describing her approach as predictable and boring.

Another social media user suggested that Janette Manrara could take over the role, declaring that Ballas was “definitely past her sell by date on this show.”

A different viewer argued that the issue was not necessarily the substance of the criticism but the way it had been delivered.

“Sometimes it is not what you say but how you say it. I don’t think that was the right way for Shirley to say what she said,” they commented.

They suggested promoting Revel Horwood to head judge and bringing in either Erin Boag or Camilla Dallerup as a replacement judge.

Accusations That The Feedback Was Too Harsh

The criticism extended beyond calls for a change to the judging panel, with some viewers arguing that Ballas’ approach risked undermining contestants who were putting themselves forward for a demanding public performance.

One viewer accused the judge of repeatedly bringing down the mood of the programme with unexpectedly harsh comments, arguing that Strictly Come Dancing was ultimately an entertainment show featuring people willing to challenge themselves in front of millions of viewers.

They also suggested that Ballas’ feedback could seriously damage a contestant’s confidence.

Another viewer took aim at the judge’s response to the online criticism she receives, arguing that she should watch the programme back to understand why some viewers react negatively to her comments.

“There was nothing constructive said about Lacey it was pure hate delivered in a condescending tone,” they wrote, before calling for Ballas to leave the show.

The comments reflect the frustration expressed by some fans following the latest episode, although the criticism represents viewers’ opinions rather than an established finding about the judge’s intentions.

Pressure Mounts Following Dance-Off Controversy

The row over Turner comes amid wider dissatisfaction among some Strictly Come Dancing viewers with Ballas’ judging decisions.

Her choice to save Shaun Wright-Phillips rather than Jaime Winstone in the dance-off had already prompted calls for her to be removed from the programme. The reaction to her comments about Turner has added another point of contention, with some fans now questioning whether she should continue as head judge next year.

Several viewers have put forward alternatives, including Manrara, Boag and Dallerup, while others believe Revel Horwood should take over the leading position on the panel.

For now, the demands for change remain calls from viewers on social media. The latest controversy, however, has once again put Ballas’ judging style under scrutiny, with the disagreement over Turner’s Tango highlighting how sharply opinions can differ over what constitutes fair and constructive criticism on the BBC competition.