Shirley Ballas sparks 'double standards' row after Lewis Cope remarks
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas stirred discussion among fans after her enthusiastic feedback to Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope. The exchange followed his energetic Cha-Cha routine with professional partner Katya Jones.
High-energy performance lights up the show
Cope and Jones opened the Saturday night show with a lively performance to Pete Rodriguez's "I Like It Like That." After their Halloween-themed routine had earned them a perfect 40 the previous week, expectations were high for another standout dance.
Judges react to Lewis and Katya's routine
The couple’s routine was met with applause, and the panel—Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Shirley Ballas—shared their impressions following their performance.
"Baby, I like it like that!"
Ms Ballas playfully echoed the song’s lyric in a squeaky voice to show her delight, drawing further cheers from the audience. She then switched to a more serious tone when offering her evaluation.
"We're halfway in the competition, I write myself a little list."
Mixed reactions from Strictly fans
Her over-the-top enthusiasm prompted debate online, with some viewers accusing the judge of favoritism or inconsistency in tone. Others defended her, saying her energy added fun to the show.
Author's summary
Shirley Ballas’s exuberant praise for Lewis Cope’s dance split fan opinion, highlighting the fine line Strictly judges walk between passion and perceived bias.