Strictly Come Dancing: Shirley Ballas refuses to apologise for sending Catherine Tyldesley home

29 October 2019, 12:16 | Updated: 29 October 2019, 13:51

Strictly Come Dancing: Shirley Ballas refuses to apologise for sending Catherine Tyldesley home
Strictly Come Dancing: Shirley Ballas refuses to apologise for sending Catherine Tyldesley home. Picture: BBC

By Rory O'Connor

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has refused to back down after a backlash from fans after this week's exit.

As head judge, Shirley send Catherine Tyldesley home from the show, but fans were not happy.

Shirley has insisted that "the blame: lies as much with Strictly viewers as with the judging panel.

Presenter Mike Bushell was saved in the dance-off after Shirley opted to save Mike.

Strictly Come Dancing: Shirley Ballas saved Mike Bushell over Catherine Tyldesley
Strictly Come Dancing: Shirley Ballas saved Mike Bushell over Catherine Tyldesley. Picture: BBC

Shirley, 59, has now explained to The Sun: "Every time someone goes out someone gets upset.

"I have one question – why was Catherine in the bottom two? I stand by my decision. You can’t complain if it ends up like that. It’s about what they do there and then.

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"And I know I absolutely made the right decision. Every week we could have the same conversation."

The Strictly Come Dancing 2019 judging panel
The Strictly Come Dancing 2019 judging panel. Picture: BBC

Fellow Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood, 54, made similar remarks, noting viewers need to back their favourites through voting.

He said: "You have to remember that it’s the audience at home that are putting them in the bottom two as well. It’s not just the judges, we have 50% of the vote so I blame the people that aren’t voting.

"They’ll all whinge online and be abusive and then you ask them, 'Did you vote?' 'Oh no I didn’t vote', so if you’re that worried about it, vote."