Strictly Come Dancing fans accuse Shirley Ballas of marking Angela Scanlon down… after viewers insisted the head judge gave low scores to three female dancers last week

• Inside the Strictly Come Dancing curse: All the couples torn apart and the new romances formed by the BBC show over 20 scandalous years 

Shirley Ballas was accused of ‘underscoring’ Strictly Come Dancing contestant Angela Scanlon during Saturday’s live episode of the show.

Irish television presenter Angela, 39, and her professional dance partner Carlos Gu, 30, performed the Charleston to Who’s Got The Pain? From the film Damn Yankees for Movie Week.

While Shirley’s fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all gave Angela a score of nine each, Shirley awarded her an eight.

It comes after Shirley, 63, was criticised by show fans of giving three of the show’s female celebrities low scores last week, and after she became embroiled in a ‘sexism row’ for favouring the male contestants during last year’s series.

Low marks? Shirley Ballas, 63, was accused of ‘underscoring’ Strictly Come Dancing contestant Angela Scanlon, 39, during Saturday’s live episode of the show

Born to perform: Angela and Carlos performed the Charleston to Who’s Got The Pain? From the film Damn Yankees for Movie Week

Taking to Twitter this weekend, many viewers expressed their views on Shirley’s score for Angela. 

One person wrote: ‘Why on earth did Shirley give Angela an 8 when everyone else, including Craig, gave her a 9?!?!?!!!!!’

Someone else posted: ‘I’m not being funny but Shirley always votes the male contestants more than she should do and then when it comes to the women she votes very low scores like Carlos and Angela deserved at least a 9 from her it’s just sexist.’

Another viewer exclaimed: ‘Shirley undermarking Angela. Shock. Just admit you hate young women and go.’

‘Angela Scanlon is very good, likeable, and very pretty. Shirley hates her,’ posted one person, while someone else noted: ‘Angela S was under marked by Shirley AGAIN.’

Another show fan wrote: ‘Of course Shirley marked down Angela and Carlos #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly.’

And someone else remarked: ‘Oh Shirley been a party pooper yet again giving Angela 8 really!!!’

It comes after Shirley was criticised by Strictly Come Dancing viewers for giving three of the show’s female celebrity contestants low scores last week.

The scores are in: While Shirley’s fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all gave Angela a score of nine each, Shirley awarded her an eight

Opinion: Taking to Twitter this weekend, many viewers expressed their views on Shirley’s score for Angela

The BBC ballroom dance contest head judge gave lower points for Zara McDermott, Ellie Leach and Angela Rippon than her fellow panellists last weekend.

The professional Latin dancer was booed by the audience, with an insider telling The Sun: ‘Her scoring surprised many.’

It comes after Shirley found herself at the centre of a sexism row after she was accused of favouring the male contestants over the females during last year’s series.

Last Saturday, former Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach, 22, received scores of eight from judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke, but Shirley gave Ellie seven.

Former Love Island star Zara McDermott, 26, was given three sixes but Shirley gave her a five.

Broadcaster Angela Rippon, 78, was given three scores of eight but Shirley awarded her a seven.

A Strictly source told The Sun: ‘All of the judges are hugely experienced individuals who judge on dance and dance alone. 

‘Any conspiracy theories circulating via social media suggesting otherwise are simply untrue.’

Difference: Last Saturday, Ellie Leach, 22, received scores of eight from judges Craig, Motsi and Anton, but Shirley gave Ellie seven (Ellie pictured with her professional partner Vito Coppola)

Strictly viewers took to Twitter to express their views after seeing Shirley give her scores. 

One person wrote: ‘Of course. Another low score from Shirley for a woman.’

Another viewer posted: ‘Lmao never mind the young pretty woman, our Shirley will even score lower for the older woman. She’s consistent.’

‘Shirley being the lowest score for the young female again.. surprise surprise,’ commented another show fan.

Someone else posted: ‘Shirley’s dislike for young women is again so obvious,’ while another viewer wrote: ‘Shirley is so bait, always downvoting young women.’

And someone else tweeted: ‘Here we go, Shirley with the harsh critique for the women.’

Downgraded? Former Love Island star Zara McDermott, 26, was given three sixes but Shirley gave her a five (Zara pictured with her professional partner Graziano Di Prima)

Scores: Broadcaster Angela Rippon, 78, was given three scores of eight but Shirley awarded her a seven (Angela pictured with her professional partner (Kai Widdrington)

Delighted: Despite being marked down by one by Shirley in comparison to the rest of the judges, Angela and her partner Kai looked pleased with their score

Shirley was branded ‘sexist’ by Strictly Come Dancing viewers who were left unimpressed by her seemingly favouring the male stars on the show last year.

The series judge was also been accused of having ‘favourites whether they have ability or not’, with some viewers calling for her to be sacked on Twitter as they claimed she has ‘no credibility as a judge’.

It came after the twinkle-toed star called for the television audience at home to have ‘respect’ after she received a flurry of ‘hurtful messages’ on social media.

In August this year, Shirley revealed how she was forced to seek counselling after receiving a torrent of vile abuse during the last series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Though Shirley has returned to the 2023 series, she previously told how she even toyed with the idea of not coming back.

Opinion: Strictly viewers took to Twitter to express their views after seeing Shirley give her scores

Speaking to OK! magazine, she explained: ‘I’ve had down and dark days throughout my whole life but I’ve always had music and I’ve always had dancing. And of course I’ve got my mother and we’re glued at the hip.  

‘What it [the trolling] did to me on the last series, I wouldn’t want that for anyone.’

The star has been undergoing counselling for over two decades.

Explaining her attitude towards it, she said: ‘I’m not embarrassed to say that now, although I was in the past as I thought people might think I was weak. But you know what? Sometimes counselling is just about having someone there to listen. So there’s nothing wrong with reaching out for help.’

Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Who are the couples?

 Nigel Harman and Katya Jones

 Bobby Brazier and Diane Buswell

Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe

 Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima

 Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice

 Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington

 Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley

 Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu

 Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola

 Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk

 Jody Cundy and Jowita Przystał

 Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin

Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez 

 Les Dennis and Nancy Xu

 Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer

 

 

 

 

 

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?

Angela Rippon

Age: 78 

Profession: Journalist 

Angela says: ‘Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentine Tango.’

Amanda Abbington

Age: 49

Profession: Actress

Amanda says: ‘I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things.’

Layton Williams

Age: 28

Profession: Actor

Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’

 Krishnan Guru-Murthy

Age: 53

Profession: Journalist

Krishnan says: ‘I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘You only live once!’ I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude.’

Eddie Kadi

Age: 40

Profession: Comedian and radio presenter

Eddie says: ‘WOW. Anyone who knows me, understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am. I’m so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. This is going to be a VIBE.

Angela Scanlon

Age: 39

Profession: TV presenter

Angela says: ‘I’m not particularly fit, I’ve no idea how my pelvic floor is going to react to this dancing. I’ve never done any dances apart from drunken jiving at a wedding!’ 

Zara McDermott 

Age: 26

Profession: Documentary maker and former Love Island star

Zara says: ‘I am so excited to be joining the world of Strictly! I grew up watching it every year with my nan and she was the biggest Strictly fan. We would dance around the house and I have such fond memories of that time in my life.’

Adam Thomas 

Age: 34 

Profession: Actor and presenter

Adam says: ‘I can’t dance to save my life but I’m buzzing to learn and have a good laugh with my pro. Get me on that dance floor…I can’t wait!’

Nikita Kanda 

Age: 27

 Profession: Radio and TV presenter

Nikita says: ‘I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly. This is a dream come true. I’m still pinching myself. I don’t think it will properly sink in until I step onto the dancefloor. I can’t wait to get glammed up and get out there. Throw the glitter on me!’

Ellie Leach 

Age: 22

Profession:  Coronation Street star

Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’

Jody Cundy 

Age: 44

Profession:  Paralympic champion 

Jody says: ‘I’m looking forward to the challenge and pushing myself way out of my comfort zone, especially as I’m always last onto the dance floor. Can’t wait to get stuck in, bring on the glitter and sequins.’

Bobby Brazier 

Age: 20

Profession:  EastEnders star and model 

Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’

Nigel Harman 

Age: 49 

Profession:  Actor

Nigel says: ‘I’m amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it’s my turn…..gulp!’

Annabel Croft 

Age: 57 

Profession:  Broadcaster and ex tennis player

Annabel says: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’

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