Strictly Come Dancing legend Shirley Ballas offered her views on how this year’s dancers stacked up against previous competitors and referred to two “raw beginners”

Shirley Ballas shared her thoughts on Strictly favourite Chris McCausland (Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Shirley Ballas has summed up her true feelings about Strictly favourite and “raw” beginner Chris McCausland with a single word.

In an episode of Great Company with Jamie Laing, the Strictly Come Dancing judge offered her views on how this year’s celebrity dancers stacked up against previous competitors.

Shirley said: “You know, what I love about the final the most is that the judges don’t need to pick the winner, that the audience viewers at home pick the winner and I think they always get it right.

“But they do; they pick the winner that they’re all comfortable with, millions and millions and millions of votes. Of course, Chris McCausland has been outstanding, as has Pete [Wicks]. Raw beginners; these are your two raw beginners that have come in, you know.”

Shirley went on to say: “They’re unbelievable, but all of them, all of them from the very, very beginning, I felt, was one of the strongest casts we’ve ever had with Strictly Come Dancing.”

Chris and his dance partner, Dianne Buswell, have secured a spot in the final (Image: BBC)

In the semi-final, Chris and his dance partner, Dianne Buswell, secured a spot in the final after performing a Charleston to The Blue Vipers Of Brooklyn’s ‘When You’re Smiling’, as well as a Viennese waltz to Metallica’s ‘Nothing Else Matters’.

They later issued a statement: “We did it partner strictly 2024 FINALISTS! ! ! ! You deserve this so much. Thank you for your friendship kindness and trust doing this with you has been one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.”

In the aftermath of their achievement, a hidden mic moment between the pair came to light. The BBC’s X page offered fans a number of moments, with Dianne hugging Chris after their dance and telling him: “I’m so proud of you… So proud of you.”

Chris described himself as an “emotional wreck”, thanking his partner while also admitting to being “overwhelmed”. Meanwhile, Dianne has said they “promise to do what we do every week” in the final.

Shirley Ballas opened up about this year’s “raw” beginners (Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

The Only Way Is Essex star Pete became the final celebrity to leave the show prior to the final, as he and professional partner Jowita Przystal were voted off.

Speaking to host Tess Daly, Pete said: “It’s been wild. I’ve been quite honest about the fact that I didn’t necessarily want to do this [Strictly] in the first place, but everyone else wanted me to do it, and I am so, so glad that I did it!”

Excitement is now building for the grand final this weekend, with the four remaining couples gearing up to perform three dances each, which include a favourite, a judges’ pick and a show dance.