Accusations of double standards
Strictly Come Dancing fans have expressed their disapproval towards head judge Shirley Ballas, accusing her of 'objectifying' one of the male stars on the show and pointing out what they perceive as 'double standards' within the BBC program.
Controversial performance in Blackpool
During last weekend's episode, the remaining celebrities showcased their best moves in Blackpool, with former Towie star Pete delivering a Cha Cha performance to the tune of 'I'm Too Sexy' by Right Said Fred. Viewers noticed a significant amount of hip action and cheeky moves from Pete, all while wearing tight pink trousers.
Shirley's response ignites backlash
Following the performance, Shirley Ballas' reaction came under scrutiny as she appeared to be giggling continuously and made remarks about having to "calm herself down" before sharing her critique. Some viewers took to Reddit to express their disappointment, highlighting the perceived objectification of Pete during the feedback session.
Backlash on social media
Several fans criticized Shirley's behavior, with one viewer mentioning, "Imagine if, instead of Shirley talking about a guy’s buttocks popping in and out, we’d had Anton talking about a woman’s attributes. It’s unthinkable that it wouldn’t be called out immediately." Others raised concerns about double standards and potential repercussions if the roles were reversed.
Scoring controversy
Despite the mixed reactions, judges Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and Shirley Ballas awarded Pete and his dance partner Jowita a total of 28 points, placing them at the bottom of the leaderboard for that week.
Previous accusations and recent eliminations
This isn't the first time Shirley Ballas has faced accusations of favoritism or sexism on the show. Recently, viewers raised concerns over her alleged bias towards male contestants. In a separate incident, Wynne Evans and Katya Jones were eliminated from the competition, sparking further discussions among fans.
