BBC Strictly Come Dancing in awkward row as Shirley Ballas interrupts Craig Revel Horwood

Strictly Come Dancing's latest episode took a tense turn when Shirley Ballas cut across Craig Revel Horwood during the live broadcast.

The tension felt palpable as Wynne Evans paired with professional dancer Katya Jones, performing the cha cha to the soundtrack of Mrs Doubtfire, with Wynne channelling Robin Williams' beloved character.

Craig was forthright in his critique, commenting, "I have to say the hip action really let this whole number down, it was really wooden and stiff! " only for Shirley to interject: "No, not at all, not at all!".

Not one to back down, Craig drove his point home: "It was wooden and stiff! " which prompted another challenge from Shirley, "I didn't think it was wooden" but Craig stood firm, retorting: "Well, it was..."

Despite the sparring judges, Craig surprisingly gave a decent seven out of ten marks, while Shirley went higher with eight, leading Wynne and Katya to secure an impressive overall score of 30, reports the Mirror.

The programme kicked off with the professionals morphing into cheerful Minions from Despicable Me, complete with Kai Widdrington channeling Gruthe film's lovable reformed villainas the rest shone in their yellow bodysuits, capturing the essence of the animated sidekicks.

Viewers were left scratching their heads over the opening dance sequence, flocking to Twitter, now X, to voice their opinions. One viewer remarked: "Not at all keen on the minions opening number. There didn't seem to be much actual dancing going on #Strictly", while another tweeted: "What a bonkers opening number! #Strictly".

A third comment read: "It's movie week on #Strictly and that pro number to Minions was not the one" and yet another added, less impressed: "That opening routine was.... #Strictly."

Conversely, the performance had its fans, with one person enthusing: "Loved the opening dance tonight #Strictly #scd", and another echoed: "Loved that opening dance #Strictly". Further praise came from a viewer who declared: "Best. Opening dance. Everrrrr! #Strictly", and another excitedly posted: "OMG THIS DESPICABLE ME OPENING PERFORMANCE YASSSS #strictly."

The episode featured the professional dancers and their celebrity counterparts delivering movie-themed performances in full costume.

Regrettably, DIY SOS's Nick Knowles and his partner Luba Mushtuk had to withdraw from performing the Charleston to 'Rain On The Roof' from Paddington 2 due to an injury Nick sustained on Friday. In line with Strictly's regulations, the duo will automatically progress to next week's show, hoping for Nick's swift recovery.

This development follows last weekend's departure of Olympian Tom Dean and his dance partner Nadiya Bychkova, who were the first couple eliminated from the contest.

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One Saturday and Sunday and on BBC iPlayer