He’s not the only ex Strictly star to speak up


STRICYLY Come Dancing legend Brendan Cole has blasted head judge Shirley Ballas’ decision to save Wynne Evans over Shayne Ward on Sunday night.

In his view, the Coronation Street actor’s exit was undeserved.

Shayne Ward was sent home on Sunday - much to the surprse of viewers and his dance-off rival Wynne Evans
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Shayne Ward was sent home on Sunday – much to the surprse of viewers and his dance-off rival Wynne EvansCredit: PA

Strictly Come Dancing's head judge Shirley Balllas came under fire from viewers on Sunday night
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Strictly Come Dancing’s head judge Shirley Balllas came under fire from viewers on Sunday nightCredit: BBC

Shayne and Nancy Xu have become the seventh couple to be eliminated
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Shayne and Nancy Xu have become the seventh couple to be eliminatedCredit: PA
Brendan told The Sun that Wynne’s noticeable missteps were also overlooked, especially with the Blackpool show approaching where only the most refined dancers get to shine.

He pointed to a major error he believes should have factored into the head judge’s decision, saying Wynne’s dance wasn’t as polished as she suggested.

Brendan tore into Shirley’s reasoning for saving the opera singer, after viewers called it a fix.

He said: “Shirley saying Wynne Evans’ number was a bubblier performance — well of course it was. That goes with the dance.

“The dances were fairly close, but the only thing that stood out is that Wynne went off time a lot.

“That is supposed to be the first fundamental.

“The first thing I learnt as a 7-year-old is you’ve got to be in time and on the right rhythm.”

He also spotted over-scoring from the judging panel, which includes Motsi Mabuse, Anton DuBeke and Craig Revel Horwood.

Recalling Motsi and Shirley’s raising their paddles for Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec’s Quickstep, he told The Sun on behalf of SkyVegas: “Two 10s was too much for that Quickstep.”

Brendan continued: “JB was overmarked — it was a really good number, but it wasn’t a 10.

“It was a very good Samba.”

Some fans agreed with Shirley’s decision and one pointed out: “Had everyone forgot he has been in the bottom 2-3 times. It was time to go.”

But former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips took to social media to complain that the judges were wrong.

Viewers were shocked when Shirley explained one couple showed more energy and then went on to pick Wynne and Katya to stay.

Arlene posted on social media and slammed Shirley and Anton Du Beke’s decision to save Wynne and Katya.

Posting a photo of Shayne and Nancy, Arlene said in a rare statement: “I disagreed with the @bbcstrictly judges last night on which couple stayed.

“Watching @shaynetward at the start of the competition I didn’t think he would get this far.

“From being a clumsy dancer last night turned into an actor and a dancer, portraying a beautiful partnership with @nancy_xuxi

“The dance felt romantic and true and I was sorry to see this couple go.”

Catherine was quick to support Arlene’s post and make her thoughts clear: “Thankyou for standing up for him!

“Like you did for me all those years ago. I know how upset he will be and your words will lift him as they did for me.”

Strictly 2024 pairings

Here’s who is matched with who this series…

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones