Shirley Ballas has responded after a fan backlash over her high scoring of Wynne Evans’ performance in the competition.
The Strictly head judge, 64, came under fire after last night’s show for supposedly “overmarking” Wynne Evans for his dance.
Despite the high score, Wynne still landed in the bottom two alongside Shayne Ward, both competing to stay in the show.
On Sunday’s results show, the former X Factor winner and his partner Nancy Xu were ultimately eliminated after the dance-off.
Ward and Xu performed a rumba to "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper, while Evans and Jones danced an American smooth to "Grace Kelly" by Mika.
Judges Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse voted to save Ward and Xu, while Anton Du Beke backed Evans and Jones. With the deciding vote, head judge Shirley Ballas chose to send Ward and Xu home.
READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing fans call for 'change' as they slam 'farce' results [LATEST]
However, fans were left fuming over the decision. One wrote: “Poor judging tonight. Shirley Ballas has lost the plot with her marking and getting fed up with the bias scoring across the board.
“The show is definitely fixed. There is one couple still in who, though amazing, should now go. Shayne was absolutely the best.”
Another added: “Both Anton and Shirley voting because it was a more 'joyous' dance. But you're not voting on the tempo.”
A third fan agreed: "His dance was 'more joyous'. Craig could've said he's saving Shayne because they're wearing yellow and he likes yellow and that would've been on the same level as what Shirley said... that's how childish her reasoning was.”
Another raged: “Truly gutted for Shayne, he was so much better than Wynne and should never have been in so many dance offs. This series is really starting to grate.”
Shirley broke her silence after awarding Wynne an 8 for his performance. Posting on her X account on Sunday, she shared a photo with host Claudia Winkleman, writing:” Love this lady. Please all watch this evening at 7.20pm. A very special results show for Remembrance and one more couple must leave our family. Very tough indeed.”
On his exit, Shayne Ward, 40, said: “I just want to say, you guys up there (the other contestants) are a dream. Every single day, coming in here and seeing you guys, you helped me so much. I want to say thank you to the audience as well, for always being amazing for us all. This has been, honestly, one of the best things I’ve ever done.
“I’m proud that I made it to eight weeks as a novice dancer. A massive thank you goes to this incredible human right next to me (Xu), who has put so much fire in me and made me believe that I can actually achieve more if I let myself go.
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out to the end, but I’m super proud that I got to meet you (Xu) and dance with you, so thank you.”
Xu added: “I’m beyond proud of this dance partnership. Shayne from week one until this point, every second you put your feet on the dancefloor you improved yourself.”
