Shirley Ballas addresses rumours that she could be axed from Strictly

Shirley Ballas, 62, has been forced to fend off rumours that she is imminently expected to be axed from Strictly Come Dancing. The head judge took to Instagram to clarify how she really feels about claims that she is due to get the sack, following a backlash she has received from some viewers over favouritism claims towards the BBC show’s male contestants. Load of rubbish!Shirley BallasThere was an online furore recently after Shirley was accused of expressing favouritism towards the male celebs, and could even get a bit flirtatious – something that Will Mellor has cheerily admitted he reciprocates if it could get him one step closer to the final.However, she insists that there is no truth in the rumours that she might be getting fired, in spite of a magazine cover suggesting otherwise, declaring the claim an “absolute load of rubbish”.”Sells papers, I guess! @bbcstrictly,” she groaned in her Instagram Story, in view of her 244,000 followers.Meanwhile, Shirley was also in the mood for publicly celebrating the long stint she’d had in the dancing world, musing: “Huge thank you to my legs for carrying me through dance for over 60 years.”READ NOW: Lewis Hamilton confesses ‘I feel so alone’ after reflecting on split Shirley Ballas has addressed rumours that she could be fired (Image: BBC/PA) Shirley Ballas said she wouldn’t have saved Fleur East in a previous dance-off (Image: BBC) Shirley Ballas had admitted she takes criticism on Strictly very seriously (Image: PA) The Strictly Come Dancing judging team this year (Image: BBC)Her vote made little difference, as the other three judges – Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton du Beke – had opted to send Fleur and Vito through.However, Fleur’s The Little Mermaid themed performance, which saw her model a costume with purple seashell shaped bra cups in honour of Ariel, was defended furiously by some fans.Fleur had spoken out about her role being important to her in terms of racial representation, pointing out that the Disney classic had been one of her favourite films in her childhood and that she has been looking forward to a new release of the movie with an African-American actress, Halle Bailey, playing the lead role.Traditionally, The Little Mermaid is associated with Danish fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen, and Ariel has always been portrayed as a red-head with white skin.DON’T MISS…Autumnwatch’s Michaela Strachan admitted struggle to ‘love’ breasts [CANDID CONVERSATION]Strictly’s Kym Marsh had furiously declared ‘I quit’ over accusation [UNEARTHED STORY] Strictly’s Katya Jones honoured as Tony Adams names pet pig after her [LATEST NEWS]When Shirley backed Richie and Giovanni in that week’s dance off, some suggested sexism could have been behind her decision.However she has always firmly denied the accusations, and revealed to the Metro that she “doesn’t ignore” the criticism, as she takes her job “seriously”.The star, who has played her current role since 2017, exclaimed: “I’m honoured and humbled to be able to be the head judge.”To be able to get out there and give the best critique of the couples along their way during the show and hoping that it will inspire them to be the best that they can be.”