Shirley Ballas hits back at criticism over 'harsh' judging on Strictly

The BBC ballroom show’s head judge has been accused of “underscoring” certain contestants this series and of giving out tough love during Saturday’s live show.She gave Tabby Stoecker just five out of 10 for her quickstep with partner Mark Karmalita, saying: "It wasn't your best for me, but I can see potential in this team."As the audience started booing, Ballas, 66, went on: "Listen to your auntie Shirley, because you've got a chance to go far."After the show, viewers flooded social media with their frustration, accusing Ballas of scoring contestants five “too many times” and of being “unfair” with her critique. Ballas - who was accused of using a stunt double during a group dance last month - addressed the backlash while appearing on the spin-off series Strictly: Lights Up.Shirley Ballas hit out over claims she is ‘too harsh’ in her judgingBBCPresenter Abi Clarke remarked: "Spooky vibes on the ballroom. People at home are a chatter that possibly your scoring is harsher this week than usual."Did anybody else notice that? I heard you said we should be harsher and more technical. Why a couple who may have got a 7 last week, getting a 5 this week."Ballas answered firmly: "The performance wasn't as good as last week. Everything is according to what I see at that particular time without fear or favour. I don't do fluff. We're not halfway through the competition, we're almost there."I expect to see some of the standards we set at the beginning. If I don't see them and other people use them, that's what I do. I just judge on what I see."She went on: "5, 6, and 7 is a good score. 8 and 9, you're truly on your way. A 10 is perfect. For me a 5 is a good score, had it been a 2,3 or 4, we could have said it was a low score. 5 is not a low score in my book..Read More"The people are getting a 9 and you get a 5, do you want me to give you an 8 when you had a poor outline. You have to judge on what you see and be fair."She was blasted for scoring Tabby Stoecker five out of 10PAThe controversy comes after Ballas made headlines by using a stunt double during a jaw-droppingly athletic routine on Strictly. She took part in a pre-recorded special group dance with co-star Anton Du Beke, going head to head in a Ballroom vs Latin showdown.Ballas seemingly showed off a slew of eye-popping tricks, including doing a cartwheel into a backflip, before spinning around on the floor and doing the worm.While many viewers praised her moves, others claimed it was obvious that pro Strictly dancer Alexis Warr had stepped in to perform the flips."They said stick a wig on Alexis and have her keep flipping so we never see her face,” one wrote on X and another added: "Lol was that Alexis doing the cartwheel? I had to double-take and thought it was Shirley at first."Someone else claimed on Instagram: “It was Alexis. I was in the audience when it was filmed.”