AJ Pritchard defends Strictly judge Shirley Ballas as fans demand she's axed

KYM Marsh is the favourite to leave Strictly Come Dancing this week. The actress, 46, has had a difficult couple of weeks on the show alongside pro Graziano Di Prima and has failed to impress the judges – in particular Shirley Ballas. Kym is now the 6-4 favourite with bookmaker Coral to be the next contestant to leave the BBC show this weekend.

STRICTLY Come Dancing's Giovanni Pernice & judge Anton Du Beke will star in a new three-part BBC travel series exploring Sicily. Reigning Strictly champion Pernice, 32, will take Anton Du Beke, 56, to explore the Italian island where he is from - after he was booted from Strictly early in a shock exit. Pernice said: "To say this has been a dream project is an understatement.

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Tony Adams had already been amusing fans since the moment of his Full Monty performance, when he strutted on the stage topless in just a pair of red sequin shorts.The routine had been branded "entertaining" rather than technically competent by Shirley Ballas, but that didn't change the fact that the former footballer has his fans' full support as he grapples with his moves - and some were in stitches when he posted his latest dance mishap. "I'm not sure how @craigrevel and @shirleyballas would have marked this from rehearsals!" Tony joked to his 157,000 Instagram followers as he shared a snippet from his routine."Come ON, I clearly nailed the New Yorker," he reasoned with fans, before Katya laughingly corrected that it was called "the New York"."Kat does her best to replace the @mattgoss bum slap in her own inimitable style: What a Saturday!" Tony exclaimed, referring to the part of their act when pro dancer Katya Jones stood behind him and rhythmically slapped his bottom several times.He added in explanation of the blunder: "[She] tells me I went off too quick - so excited to channel my inner Des Lynam and David Coleman!"Thanking fans for their "love and support", he concluded: "Really so thrilled to still be in this extraordinary show: bring on spoooooky times and halloween." (sic)@sherriesilver laughed: "This bum of yours has gone through a lot! Slapped every week!"@harrysurplus excused the moment when Tony fell down with his legs in the air, and assured him the judges would have loved his performance, quipping: "I’m sure it would have been 10s all round Tony."However, @jjwooley argued: "I thought they were harsh this week and the full Monty week - talked all about the comedy yet you

Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse, 41, has been mischievously described as a "diva" for having an entourage backstage to do her hair and makeup. Meanwhile, sidestepping the criticism, the star posted a photo of herself and fellow female judge Shirley Ballas, marvelling that the anniversary special was "an interesting show"."Girls just want to have fun @ShirleyBallas!!" Motsi captioned the photo of the pair of them, as she showed off her bright red sequin dress and an attention-grabbing red lipstick to match.However, Craig has already hit back that the incredible makeup she models during the shows is the result of a hard-working team of six.“Motsi’s got six people in her dressing room doing the make-up, the lipstick, the eyes, the false eyelashes, her hair, her dress.She’s a diva," Craig exclaimed.Meanwhile, he insisted to the Sun: "I have no one...

Twitter on Monday following her elimination on Sunday to issue Strictly Come Dancing viewers a warning. In view of her 48,000 followers, the comedian told voters at home not to be “idiots” and allow Fleur and her dance partner Vito Coppola to get to the final.She issued the warning as she retweeted a post by Fleur, which featured a backstage picture of the pair as she bid farewell to her friend.Fleur penned: ‘Was gutted to see my girls Molly & Jayde in the dance off and so sad to see Jayde go! What a powerful, intelligent and beautiful soul.“Glad I had the pleasure to meet her and cannot wait to see what she does next! Such a force! #bbcstrictly” (sic)In her retweet, Jayde responded: “Fleur and my gorgeous Vito for the final please.“Don’t be idiots #Strictly,” the actress sternly concluded.The impassioned plea comes after Jayde was voted out of Strictly Come Dancing this week after landing in the dance-off against Molly Rainford.Following her exit, Jayde took to her Twitter account to address her departure from the show, as she hit back at criticism from trolls surrounding her place in the contest.Sharing a picture of her dance this week with Karen Hauer, Jayde wrote in view of her 47,400 followers: "Don’t worry about me babes."Ya girls booked & blessed; ITV2 show Ruby Speaking, #AlmasNotNormal s2, UK tour, Take That film.

WHEN Hamza Yassin was named as the 13th contestant on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, many asked: “Who?” But now the shy wildlife photographer and presenter has captured the hearts of the nation, with head judge Shirley Ballas telling him on Saturday night: “You make our hearts sing, you make everybody smile.” And even the usually waspish Craig Revel Horwood admitted last night: “My goodness, you are a fantastic dancer.” His star moments on Strictly — a light-footed foxtrot in week one that was praised by the judges and marked Hamza out as a contender, and his electrifying salsa in week four that blew the roof off the ballroom bagging him the highest score of the series so far — hurtled him ahead of the much more well-known celebs. But it has not always been easy to get to the top of the leaderboard three times.

Jayde Adams has become the fourth star to leave Strictly Come Dancing.

STRICTLY Come Dancing fans were left furious at head judge Shirley Ballas this evening over 'inconsistent scoring’. Viewers branded her ‘jealous’ after she gave Kym Marsh low scores once again and many called for the 62-year-old to go.

ACID-tongued Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has branded Motsi Mabuse “a diva” in an outspoken interview. The Aussie choreographer, 57, also claimed that Anton Du Beke, 56, has a “big head” since winning a National Television Award for his role. He added former co-star Bruno Tonioli, 66, would have liked to have left with “more of a fanfare” and insists that head judge Shirley Ballas is not sexist.

Matt Goss, 54, was the third contestant to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing last weekend, with the singer in tears as he heard the judges' choice. As the singer recorded his new Christmas single The Beautiful Unknown, Matt took some time to speak to Express.co.uk about the judges' "harsh" scoring, due to his "improvement" week to week.Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke make up this year's Strictly judging panel and have been met with criticism this year due to their scoring.Express.co.uk asked Matt what he thought of the judges' scores, with the Bros singer admitting: "I think if I'm improving maybe the scores should reflect that."But I don't want to be that guy who moans about my scores.

Strictly Come Dancing panel alongside Len Goodman and Craig Revel Horwood from 2004 until 2009 and still shares her firm support for the BBC dance show. As the dancer discussed her partnership with Wiltshire Farm Foods, Express.co.uk asked Arlene what she thought of Anton Du Beke's permanent role on the judging panel.Anton took a permanent role on the judging panel this year alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas.This comes after he covered for Bruno Tonioli last year when he took a break from the show due to travel limitations as he continued to judge on the US series Dancing With the Stars.Arlene was replaced on the BBC dance show in 2009 by Alesha Dixon.Express.co.uk asked Arlene what she thought about Anton's permanent judging role on the show.She revealed: "Oh I always thought Anton would make a good judge.

YOU'D think the Strictly stars would be getting an early night with a cup of coco before tonight's live show. But that wasn't the case for Tyler West and Fleur East, who instead had a boozy night in. The pair of them were seen enjoying some wine and some dancing as they relaxed before taking to the dancefloor this evening.

Shirley Ballas, 62, posted a picture of her and Motsi Mabuse, 41, on social media laughing away on the most recent Strictly Come Dancing live show, Motsi was quick to reciprocate Shirley’s affirmation, sharing on her own social media page that she hoped there would be “many years of laughing” to come.The pair’s public display of affection comes soon after some members of the public called for Shirley to be removed from the panel after she was accused of preferring male celebrity dancers to women.Shirley and Motsi’s friendship was plain to see after Shirley posted the following to her 81,700 followers on Twitter: “Cherry on the cake @MOTSI_MABUSE we laughed so much yesterday.“Brilliant lady, love sitting next to you.“You are a star x @bbcstrictly.”In response to Shirley’s high praise, Motsi was not short of admiration for her fellow judge.Replying to the tweet, Motsi wrote to her 76,500 followers: “With my dearest @ShirleyBallas.To many years of laughing like this.”Sharing their friendship online, it was clear that despite speculation, many fans of Strictly want the panel to remain exactly how it is.User Ioana Vladoi wrote: “Love you both! You just bring so much happiness every Saturday.”And Jackie Carreira also added: “You two make me wish I was in your gang!”With many calling the pair “friendship goals,” there was one disgruntled Twitter user who shared his option on Shirley’s judging style.User Charlie Smorley commented: “Why are you giving Matt Goss low score he so doing very well and giving who are really rubbish at dancing higher score for don’t make sense.“You used to be my favourite Judge but I’ve seen a nasty side to you and I’m very disappointed in you shouldnt be on the show anymore ROOD.” (sic)Replying to the

STRICTLY star Will Mellor was so sick on Saturday night he "couldn't stand" and was secretly being "held up" by his dance partner. The 46-year-old had just four hours' training last week after being wiped out by a virus. Despite this, Will battled through to perform on Saturday night - but was punished by the judges with their scores.

STRICTLY star Jayde Adams has opened up on the pressures the female stars of the ballroom show face every Saturday night. Comedian Jayde is a contestant on this year’s Strictly, paired with long-running pro Karen Hauer and the pair have been impressing the judges and BBC One viewers with their dancing skills.  But the dancing hopeful has told Grazia in a new chat that the women on the show face scrutiny over body image each week that they take to the floor.  Speaking about the criticism she, Karen and the other female stars face, she said: “Women constantly get criticised for their figure, it dosen't matter what body type you have.

Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, 32, posted on his Instagram stories that it was nothing more than hanging out with friends and Strictly fans whilst waiting for an uber to take him home.The article in question posted by MailOnline showed images of Giovanni looking dapper in a tan blazer layered over a plain white shirt.Wearing dark trousers, one of the pictures showed Giovanni with his arm around a young woman, while one of her friends took a photo of the pair of them.According to the article the Italian-born Giovanni appeared in high spirits talking to the rest of the group, embracing a woman in a geometric dress as he gave her a kiss on the cheek.The group all enjoyed a laugh in the street's smoking area outside the bar, with the dancer deep in conversation.The article went on to speculate that Giovanni may have had his phone out in order to take the girl’s number, after his last public relationship with Love Island’s Maura Higgins came to an end.In a comical reaction to the claim, Giovanni took to his Instagram, which boasts 811,000 followers, and wrote: “Your imagination cracks me up.”Alongside numerous laughing emoji faces, Giovanni added: “I’m waiting for an Uber with my phone in my hand.”The interest in Giovanni’s love life comes after rumours started brewing that he was getting close to his former dancer partner and Strictly champion Rose Ayling-Ellis, despite there being no evidence that the pair are in a romantic relationship.The pair made history on Strictly Come Dancing and have since shared a close bond.They even won a BAFTA for Couple’s Choice dance which included 10 seconds of utter silence in support of the deaf community.Most recently Giovanni has publicly supported Rose in her

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has been spotted enjoying a night out with fans, and engaged in chat with a blonde lady amongst the group. The dancer pro, 32, was pictured in a beige suit and jeans looking smart for his night out while chatting to the fans outside.

Rose Ayling-Ellis rocked a gorgeous autumnal outfit on Wednesday evening as she stepped out for a fun-filled night out.READ: Rose Ayling-Ellis holds 'deep affection' for Strictly's Giovanni Pernice - expert discusses relationshipOpting for a chic ensemble, the reigning Strictly champ looked stunning in a burnt orange roll neck long-sleeved top which she teamed with a pair of flattering black jeans. Rose elevated her look with a sleek up-do, fresh dewy makeup and a pair of timeless gold hoop earrings.WATCH: Rose Ayling-Ellis stuns in bikini during Maldives holidayThe star appeared in high spirits as she joined her pals for a round of cocktails in a hip bar decked out with funky wallpaper, floral displays and rustic furniture.MORE: Giovanni Pernice's touching tribute to Rose Ayling-Ellis on Strictly revealedRELATED: Rose Ayling-Ellis shows off incredible physique in sizzling red bikiniRose was joined by her sidekick and best friend – Tobi Leigh - who similarly looked stunning as she posed for a sweet snap with the EastEnders actress.

Strictly Come Dancing fans have "worked out" that Molly Rainford will be crowned this year's champion. During Wednesday's (October 19) episode of spin-off show It Takes Two, host Janette Manrara spoke to Molly and her partner Carlos Gu about their Cha Cha routine on Saturday (October 15).The duo scored an impressive 35 points, which the former Strictly professional revealed was the highest score of the series for that particular dance.READ MORE: Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice rushes to support Rose Ayling-Ellis after huge announcementLeading on from this, Janette told the couple: "You have scored so far this series 134 points - the highest out of all the celebrities this series, followed by Tyler and Diane who have 128."But I've got something even more interesting to tell you," the presenter added."Calvin Fletcher also got 134 points at this stage, topped by Alesha Dixon who had 136." The 38-year-old then asked the question: "Now what do Alesha and Calvin have in common?""They were both winners of the show!," the host exclaimed.She added: "They both won the show.