Strictly couple Nadiya and Kai address what it's really like backstage amid 'feud' rumours

Strictly transformations, but has now has taken to Instagram with a candid pre-makeup selfie.The star unveiled her natural complexion after getting up very early, in full view of her 198,000 followers. The Ted Lasso star looked downcast and fatigued as she rested her head against her hand while heading to the ITV studios.In the caption, she wrote: “On Lorraine at 945am.“Hoping the makeup team can do something with this.”It wasn’t long before a fan replied to the story with a jibe at her appearance, comparing her to an iconic EastEnders character.The Instagram user said: “Thought that was Dot Cotton for a minute.”Another user then messaged the comedian, making a quip about Strictly's Halloween Week.The comment read: “Have you had your witch makeup done early?”Taking the remarks in good humour, Ellie wrote back playfully in response: “Thanks as always, for being wonderfully supportive.”The television personality is partnered with Johannes Radebe on this year’s Strictly.Last week, they performed the Tango to the Casualty theme tune and scored an impressive 30 out of a possible 40.However, body language expert Darren Stanton has explained why he thinks Ellie could be the next contestant to leave the show.Amongst her comments from the judges last Saturday, Motsi Mabuse complimented: "I think the opening was so good, you stayed in character."What I see every single week is improvement, this is a marathon and you guys are slowly getting there and I just love your development."A little bit more action, a little bit more understanding but I loved it."Shirley Ballas added: "We are looking for small improvements, and can I say that your left arm, where you connected to him, was absolutely brilliant?“So that was a nice

STRICTLY stars Ellie Simmonds and Nikita made a HUGE live blunder on Loose Women. The pair, who are currently dancing in this year's series of the BBC dance competition, appeared on the ITV talk show earlier today.

Shirley Ballas, 62, has been forced to fend off rumours that she is imminently expected to be axed from Strictly Come Dancing.The head judge took to Instagram to clarify how she really feels about claims that she is due to get the sack, following a backlash she has received from some viewers over favouritism claims towards the BBC show's male contestants.There was an online furore recently after Shirley was accused of expressing favouritism towards the male celebs, and could even get a bit flirtatious - something that Will Mellor has cheerily admitted he reciprocates if it could get him one step closer to the final.However, she insists that there is no truth in the rumours that she might be getting fired, in spite of a magazine cover suggesting otherwise, declaring the claim an "absolute load of rubbish"."Sells papers, I guess! @bbcstrictly," she groaned in her Instagram Story, in view of her 244,000 followers.Meanwhile, Shirley was also in the mood for publicly celebrating the long stint she'd had in the dancing world, musing: "Huge thank you to my legs for carrying me through dance for over 60 years."By the time she was three, Strictly's head judge was already showing an aptitude for ballet, while she began dancing competitively before she so much as reached double figures.Former Strictly panellist Len Goodman was one of her judges in these contests - and she went on to win the Latin American Championships no less than three times.Her supporters are right behind her - but she has experienced criticism from fans over beliefs that she unfairly prioritises male contestants.It was suggested that she regularly swooned over attractive men, calling Will "easy on the eye", while some fans were left devastated earlier this

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 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...

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.

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

Loose Women panellist Christine Lampard has slammed co-star feud rumours as "nonsense".Talking exclusively to the Daily Star at the National Television Awards, she opened up about the accusations that claim some of the women don't get on.Christine, 43, said: "Honestly, what you see is genuinely us, no one hides anything there is just all honesty amongst the girls so despite other things I've read it's really not like that. As you can see, we are all here together tonight."READ MORE: Coleen Nolan's son sparks outrage with Queen comments saying he 'don't understand it'We then asked how she felt about Carol McGiffin's recent claim that the Loose Women ladies are merely her colleagues and not her friends.Carol said this on a recent show which appeared to ruffle the feathers of her co-panellists Kaye Adams and Nadia Sawalha.Christine said: "They're all my friends and Kaye wasn't upset, no that's all nonsense and we are all professionals so we have a great time."The TV personality has also been looking after Lorraine Kelly's ITV chat show for her a lot recently - so we asked the host if she'd ever like a programme of her own.She answered: "I'm happy just doing my stint on there, I feel like a keeper of someone else's house for a little while.

Strictly Come Dancing star Tony Adams reveals he and professional partner Katya Jones had a huge argument ahead of Saturday night's live show.

Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington may no longer be competing on this year's Strictly Come Dancing, but the couple were all smiles as they arrived for the Black Adam premiere on Tuesday.MORE: Strictly's Matt Goss explains why he broke down in tears after exit with Nadiya BychkovaLooking every inch the beautiful style couple, the lovebirds - who confirmed their romance earlier this year - cosied up to one another as they posed for pictures.WATCH: Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington hold hands in sweet videoNadiya, 33, looked sensational in a black velvet strapless gown which showed off her incredible figure. The sizzling number featured a plunging neckline and heart-shaped bodice.MORE: Matt Goss' Strictly partner Nadiya Bychkova breaks silence after exit from showREAD: Helen Skelton makes rare comment about the pressures of being a working single motherKai, meanwhile, cut a handsome figure in a slick grey suit which he matched with shiny black leather shoes and a matching tie.Their sighting comes days after Nadiya left Strictly alongside her celebrity dance partner Matt Goss while 27-year-old Kai left the show in week one alongside Loose Women's Kaye Adams.

FURIOUS Strictly Come Dancing fans have claimed Helen Skelton was underscored on Saturday night. The Countryfile star, who is dancing with Gorka Marquez, wowed those watching at home as she performed an energetic paso doble to Tamacun by Rodrigo y Gabriela.

HELEN Skelton and Gorka Marquez recovered from a long day of Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals with beer and a takeaway. Countryfile host Helen, 39, was snapped getting a round in for her and Gorka, 32, as they relaxed after a gruelling 10-hour session. Meanwhile Gorka collected a bag of food before they headed up to their hotel room for the evening.

STRICTLY Come Dancing's latest axed star Matt Goss sparked fear as he failed to appear on the It Takes Two sofa tonight. The singer's pro-dancer Nadiya Bychkova was alone in the spin-off show's studio alongside host Rylan Clark.