Strictly Fans Allege Shirley Ballas Feuds with Multiple Contestants Amid Scoring Criticism

Strictly Come Dancing viewers have perceived ongoing tensions involving head judge Shirley Ballas and various contestants and professionals. Fans have noted what they interpret as feuds between Shirley and contestant Balvinder Sopal, as well as between Shirley and professional dancer Karen Hauer, criticizing Shirley for apparent favoritism and harsh comments that impact contestants' scores and morale. Shirley also faced backlash over her critique of Amber Davies and her partner Nikita Kuzmin's Viennese waltz, where viewers felt her feedback was unnecessarily harsh and unprofessional, especially since Amber was judged on choreography she did not create. Several social media users expressed frustration with Shirley's judging style, suggesting it affected the fairness of the competition and calling for her removal. Despite the controversies, Shirley maintains her role as head judge since 2017, with her critiques rooted in her expertise and standards for dance styles. The recurring theme across episodes is fan scrutiny of Shirley's interactions and scoring, fueling speculation about personal biases influencing her judgments.