Strictly’s Shirley Ballas defends controversial axing as she likes tweet about how angry viewers should ‘grow up’
STRICTLY judge Shirley Ballas has defended her decision to send Catherine Tyldesley crashing out of the competition by liking tweet hitting back at angry viewers.
Former Corrie star Catherine and her partner Johannes Radebe lost out in the dance off to Mike Bushell and Katya Jones at the weekend, leaving many fans at home fuming.
But after receiving a torrent of online abuse for backing the BBC Breakfast presenter, Shirley went on a Twitter liking spree of comments supporting her decision.
One tweet she liked read: “Seeing the vitriol aimed at Shirley Ballas tonight by #strictly viewers who are – I presume – supposed to be adults is really quite sickening.
“It’s just a bit of fluffy Saturday night telly, people. FFS, grow up!”
Bushell’s BBC co-star Dan Walker also condemned the trolls, writing: “Fully understand that people loved watching @Cath_Tyldesley & @jojo_radebe on #Strictly but some of the abuse aimed at @mikebreakfast @Mrs_katjones & @ShirleyBallas is cruel and ridiculous. Shirley is doing her job and Mike & Katya are simply trying their best. Roll on next week.”
While Mike retweeted a post praising SHirley and added: “Thanks Caroline. I totally agree. I wldalways accept the decision of the judges and advice or when I play football the referee. The judges on
@bbcstrictly are the best in the world and love the comments of the likes of @CraigRevHorwood @ShirleyBallas @MOTSI_MABUSE @BrunLabCaulo.”
Both celebs’ tweets were liked by Shirley.
The head judge previously received a death threat after Dev Griffin crashed out of the competition, while others have called for the return of Len Goodman.
Catherine and Johannes finished second from bottom on the leaderboard.
They scored 24 points for their Cha Cha, while Mike and Katya finished just ahead of them with 26 points after performing a Tango.
After both couples danced again it was up to the four judges to decide who to send home.
Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Mike and Katya saying: “One couple for me really stepped it up a notch. The couple I’d like to save is Mike & Katya.”
However, Motsi Mabuse chose to save Catherine and Johannes, saying: “I felt a strong performance, stronger body actions, stronger leg actions. I’m saving Catherine & Johannes.”
Bruno Tonioili agreed: “It’s hard because you’ve both done very, very well, but purely based on tonight I have to save the couple that got me tingling a little bit more and I have to save Catherine and Johannes.”
Despite Catherine and Johannes having been saved by two judges, Shirley had the casting vote and decided to save Mike and Katya.
She explained: “Well, I thought both couples really step it up a notch and this is always the most difficult decision for me, but based on a good focus, difficult content, with some really beautiful footwork in there with stronger technical skills for me, cleaner and polished. I’m going to save Mike and Katya.”
When asked by host Tess Daly about her time on the show, Catherine said of Johannes: “Him, yeah, he’s like my best friend.
“He’s just… the opportunity to work with amazing people and get critiqued off amazing people. I never thought I’d say this, I’m going to keep it up because I fell in love with it!
“I’ve loved every second, this man has changed my life!”
Johannes said: “Okay Tess, the beautiful thing is that I need to thank Strictly Come Dancing for the opportunity…thank you.
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“Most of all, I want to say thank you to this woman. She has been a light for me.
“Thank you for accepting me for who I am and for showing me joy every day. Thank you!”
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