Ex-Strictly judge and Shayne Ward's Corrie co-star join forces to blast Shirley Ballas decision

Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu were the latest couple to be eliminated from the BBC One show after they ended up in the bottom two, alongside Wynne Evans and Katya Jones, who were saved

Ex-Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips and Shayne Ward's Coronation Street co-star have joined forces to blast Shirley Ballas.

The head judge had the deciding vote on Sunday night’s results show, when Shayne and his partner Nancy Xu ended up in the dreaded dance-off, alongside Wynne Evans and Katya Jones. Craig Revel-Horwood and Motsi Mabuse voted for Shayne and Nancy to stay, while Anton Du Beke chose Wynne and Katya, leaving Shirley to cast the final vote and choose who was staying in the competition.

She eventually picked Wynne and Katya, and fans were furious over her choice to boot Shayne and Nancy out, with many suggesting the judging panel needed to be revamped as they branded the decision 'ludicrous'. Shirley sparked controversy by saying she saved Wynne as his routine was 'jollier' despite Shayne performing a romantic rumba.

Now ex Strictly judge Arlene Phillips, who was one of the original judging panel when the BBC show began in 2004, took to social media to blast Shirley and Anton for choosing Wynne and Katya.

“I disagreed with the @bbcstrictly judges last night on which couple stayed. Watching @shaynetward at the start of the competition I didn’t think he would get this far. From being a clumsy dancer last night turned into an actor and a dancer, portraying a beautiful partnership with @nancy_xuxi the dance felt romantic and true and I was sorry to see this couple go,” she wrote alongside a snap of Shayne and Nancy.

The former X Factor winner then had one of his former Corrie co-stars jump to his defence, as Catherine Tyldesley commented on Arlene’s post to thank her for supporting Shayne. “Thankyou for standing up for him! Like you did for me all those years ago. I know how upset he will be and your words will lift him as they did for me,” she wrote.

Arlene’s fans were quick to agree with the former judge, with many pleading with the 81-year-old to return. “I absolutely agree. We miss you Arlene!” one commenced, as another added: “Totally agree with you. So frustrating watching good dancers leave the show.” A third chimed in: “I agree. He grew and developed so much, and his dance was full of emotion.”

“I felt exactly the same - it was a beautiful dance so connected and intense Nancy did him proud - I loved Shayne’s look as well,” another fan wrote. “I totally agree, Shayne’s performance was the better of the two, there was some really clumsy footwork in Wynne’s performance. Such a shame,” one commented.

However, some Strictly fans were disappointed with Arlene’s post, as they accused her of stirring up hatred towards the judges. “It's a fun entertainment show and there can only be one winner. I loved Shayne on the show but turning this into a big issue and inviting hate towards the judges you disagreed with is plainly wrong,” one fumed, as another added: “That’s your opinion, I don’t agree or disagree, but we are at the stage in the competition where good dancers will go. He’s been in the dance off three times so unfortunately doesn’t have the backing of the public, the judges are after all just doing what they need to do!”

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