Shirley Ballas stunned viewers during a recent Strictly Come Dancing results show with a series of high-energy acrobatic maneuvers. The 66-year-old judge performed backflips and "the worm" during a dance battle, leading some fans to question the authenticity of the performance.
Did a stunt double perform Shirley Ballas's backflips?
During a head-to-head dance battle against Anton Du Beke, Shirley Ballas was launched into the air by professional dancer Vito Coppola. As the report says, the Latin specialist then executed multiple backflips across the dance floor and concluded the sequence with "the worm," eventually receiving a red card from referee Neil Jones . The performance was so unexpected that it sparked a wave of skepticism across social media.
Many viewers found it difficult to believe that a 66-year-old could maintain such agility, with several fans explicitly asking who the stunt double was. While some praised the athleticism of Shirley Ballas, others suggested the BBC may have used a body double to achieve the complex breakdancing moves. Whether the performance was genuine or a choreographed illusion remains an unverified point of contention among the audience.
Melanie Walters and Aljaz Skorjanec exit after the dance-off
The competition saw the departure of Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters and her partner Aljaz Skorjanec. According to the report, Melanie Walters entered the dance-off after scoring 17 on Saturday, placing her at risk alongside former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and partner Alexis Warr, who had the lowest score of 15.
The judges' decision came after a Charleston performance set to Gina G's "Ooh Ahh... just A Little Bit." While Motsi Mabuse voted to save Melanie Walters, the other three judges—Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, and Anton Du Beke—opted to keep Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr in the competition. Following the elimination, Aljaz Skorjanec praised the work ethic and professionalism of Melanie Walters before the pair shared a final dance.
Craig Revel Horwood's 'fun sponge' label for Shirley Ballas
The ballroom has also become a site of friction between the judges themselves, specifically regarding the scoring tendencies of Shirley Ballas. During a critique of the rumba performed by Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystal, Shirley Ballas described the routine as "flat-footed" and "not my cup of tea." This harsh assessment led Craig Revel Horwood to publicly label the head judge a "fun sponge ."
This clash reflects a growing tension within the Strictly Come Dancing panel, as viewers have noted that Shirley Ballas has been issuing more low scores and drawing more boos from the live audience than her colleagues. The friction reached a comedic peak when Motsi Mabuse joked that the arguing between Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas made her feel like a child helping her parents through a divorce.
The 13 remaining couples prepare for Icons Week
With the elimination of Melanie Walters, the field has narrowed to 13 couples. The remaining contestants are now shifting their focus toward "Icons Week," where they will attempt to survive another round of rigorous judging and public voting.
The transition to Icons Week comes at a time when the jugdes are clearly divided on style and execution. As the competition intensifies,the contrast between the technical rigidity demanded by Shirley Ballas and the storytelling praised by Craig Revel Horwood will likely continue to shape the leaderboard.
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