LOOSE Women star Kaye Adams says going on Strictly Come Dancing opened her eyes to “ageism and sexism” against women on TV.
The 59-year-old suffered cruel trolling after performing in front of more than eight million people before she lost out in the first dance-off.
Kaye Adams and her dance partner Kai Widdrington
Shirley Ballas has been accused of flirting and favouring male celebs
Kaye, 59, threw her legs up in the air during her Charleston
But defiant Kaye says she’s proud of what she achieved – having thrown her legs up in the air as she danced with a professional 32 years her junior.
Reacting to head judge Shirley Ballas, 62, being slammed for “flirting and favouring” younger male celebs, Loose Women presenter Kaye, 59, claims “ageism and sexism” are behind accusations against Shirley.
She detailed her own experience on the show – admitting her eyes had been opened to the backlash older women on TV.
In an exclusive interview with SE, Kaye – who was partnered with pro Kai Widdrington = said: “I’m desperately sorry Shirley has been subjected to some of the comments she has this week.
“It’s despicable and unwarranted. She’s hugely talented and highly-qualified for that job.
“Why are we making age a factor here? There are lots of reasons why you might like or not like an individual and that’s perfectly valid. The fact they’ve lived to that point in their life – why are we using that against people?
“Even the word ‘flirty’. Are we trying to suggest she’s coming onto them? That’s clearly ridiculous.
“Shirley‘s a very vibrant, very attractive, very outgoing woman with an extravert personality. She’s just being her. Shirley is just being Shirley. She should not have to apologise for that on the basis of her age – nor should any of us.
“We’re just going to drive people out of public life.”
Kaye was this series’ eldest contestant with zero dance experience.
She signed up ahead of her 60th birthday to prove she could push herself out of her comfort zone – and dance in front of 8million people on live TV.
But her eyes were opened to the misogyny aimed at the BBC show stars after reading comments online.
She says: “I’ve never ever thought of myself as being on the wrong side of ageism or sexism – I’ve never approached life that way – but I am becoming more aware of a negative attitude towards older women. I’d never felt affected by it before.”
“I didn’t even get any credit for being chucked up in the bloody air!”, laughed Kaye.
“I read a comment from someone saying old-aged women can’t move, they’re so unfit, they’re slow…
“I thought ‘jesus christ what more do you want?'”
Despite fears about the reaction to her dancing with a man almost four decades younger then her, Kaye threw herself into the challenge.
“I was worried it would look ridiculous,” she admits.
“After a few days with Kai that fear completely dissipated. He’s a highly-qualified, extremely mature, very talented guy. Our ages are irrelevant.
“We were two professional people cast together in this situation and hopefully we both approached it in a professional manner. As it happens we got on like a house on fire and shared the same sense of humour, which was a huge bonus.
“The fact I’m 59 and he’s 27 – who cares? He’s a grown man and I’m a grown woman, end of.
“I’m beating myself up about being part of those negative perceptions that I’m starting to see.
“When I put myself down because of my age, which I do tend to do as a reflex reaction, all I’m doing is contributing to that wider negativity.
“All these jokes and throwaway remarks add up to a much bigger cultural resentment towards women being older. Hands up, I’m guilty of it and I need to stop it.”
Kaye’s final dance was a highly energetic and physically demanding Charleston for Movie Week.
Performing to Music! Music! Music! by Dorothy Provine, Kaye delivered an impressive mix of classic Charleston moves including Suzy Qs, Bunny Hops, and a lifted Cartwheel.
It earned her a score of 22 – tying with Matt Goss and Tony Adams.
Sadly, it didn’t save her from ending up in the bottom two with Matt Goss and his dance partner Nadiya Bychkova.
Kaye was voted out by the judges after looking like a “rabbit caught in headlights” when she panicked in the dance-off.
Head judge Shirley disagreed with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke who voted in favour of Kaye’s rival.
SE’s Jane Moore – who works alongside Kaye on Loose Women – insisted she was “robbed”.
But Kaye holds no grudges and when asked whether she agrees with some viewers who claim the scoring system is unfair, she replied: “You have to accept it’s impossible for the scoring to be fair. That’s not me saying it’s unfair, by the way.
“But when you have people of different ages and experience, how do you make it truly fair?
“Tony’s routines are hugely entertaining. He goes out there not taking himself too seriously – but how do you compare that to Molly Rainford who’s a young and beautiful dancer.”
Reflecting on her experience, Kaye added: “Yeah OK, I didn’t get very far and I have some regrets about that, but I did put myself out there and took away a lot of positives.
“I can either choose to be grudgey about it and say it’s not fair with my bottom lip out or I can say I got an opportunity that lots of people would give their right arm for. I met some wonderful people and I learnt a lot about myself. I’m thankful for that.”
Shirley has been viciously trolled online
Kaye has been reflecting on her time on Strictly Come Dancing
