Furious viewers criticize judges' scoring
Following the conclusion of the 2023 Strictly Come Dancing final, fans are expressing their frustration and calling for a major shake-up of the judging panel for next year's season. While Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola were crowned champions, some viewers believe that the judges' scoring, particularly by Shirley Ballas, was unfair and biased.
Accusations of bias and sexism
Viewers took to social media to voice their complaints about the judges' decisions. One fan expressed disbelief, stating, "These judges are so biased, it's unbelievable. Motsi, Shirley, and Craig should be sacked. This is a complete disgrace." Another viewer pointed out what they believed to be a double standard, saying, "Shirley marks Ellie down for a mistake, but gives Nikita a 10 despite sync issues. Something is wrong here!"
Calls for Shirley Ballas to step down
Many fans are hoping that this will be Shirley Ballas' final season on the judging panel. Frustrated with what they perceive as biased scoring, one viewer tweeted, "Praying this will be Shirley's final final of #Strictly."
Controversial scoring decisions
During Ellie Leach's second routine, a show dance to a Jennifer Lopez Megamix, Shirley Ballas described it as one of the hardest routines she had ever seen. Despite a fumble at the end, Shirley expressed her admiration and said, "I would have given you a 20 paddle if I'd had one." However, in the scoring, she gave Ellie a nine, just one point shy of the maximum 10-mark. Fans believe that this unfairly impacted Ellie and Vito's overall score and chances of winning.
Furthermore, Craig Revel Horwood faced backlash for allegedly undermarking Bobby Brazier's emotional couple's choice routine, which paid tribute to his late mother Jade Goody. While all the other judges awarded the routine full marks, Craig gave it a nine, leading to accusations of unfairness.
Fans demand change
The outcry from viewers highlights the passion and investment that fans have in the show. Many are calling for a shake-up of the judging panel to ensure fairer scoring and a more enjoyable viewing experience in future seasons of Strictly Come Dancing.
