Strictly’s Shirley Ballas slams Fleur East feud rumours after backlash

Last month, Strictly Come Dancing fans took to social media speculating that Shirley Ballas, 62, had a personal gripe with Fleur East, 35, which was affecting her judging on the show. At the TV Choice Awards, Shirley vehemently denied these rumours and defended her ‘constructive criticism’ of the radio star. Earlier in the competition, Fleur found herself in a shock bottom-two selection against DJ Richie Anderson, 35. The judges’ scores had placed Fleur sixth on the leaderboard, and Richie eighth out of 14 competitors. Ultimately, the audience vote pitted the two radio presenters against each other, with judges Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse all voting to save Fleur. Although it would not affect the outcome, head judge Shirley revealed she would have voted to save Richie. READ MORE: Lori Harvey leaves little to the imagination in risque sheer outfit with daring cut-outs Shirley Ballas denied the rumours that she had been feuding with Fleur East (Image: GETTY/BBC) Shirley Ballas kicked up her heels at the TV Choice Awards on November 14 (Image: GETTY) Fleur and Vito performed a sensational samba on Saturday evening that put them through to week nine (Image: BBC) Fleur and Vito both grew emotional after hearing they got a near-perfect score of 39 for their samba (Image: BBC)In the most recent results show, Shirley spoke about her ‘tough’ criticism for Fleur in earlier weeks. She said: ‘I know and I heard that she keeps notes and she studies, she’s really, really been listening to the judges.’The judge also applauded Fleur’s professional partner Vito Coppola, saying the Samba was ‘choreographed beautifully’.Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk at the TV Choice Awards, Shirley declared that her job on Strictly is simply to give ‘constructive criticism’ and hope the aspiring dancers can take on the challenge. DONT MISS: Michael Douglas, 78, looks frail as he continues to show off new hair at basketball gameJeremy Clarkson says he’s getting ‘sued’ after ‘trespasser’ on farm gets stuck in holeRio Ferdinand says Prince William was ‘out of order’ while giving him OBEShe also praised the singer, noting that Fleur’s progress is the epitome of constructive criticism being put into practice. She said: ‘She took that criticism so well and look at the performance she turned in this week. ‘I’ve never seen a Samba like that in my life from anybody, whether it be Dancing With The Stars or Strictly or any shows around the world, like that lady did. ‘To all the people out there: constructive criticism pays.’