Strictly Come Dancing 2017: Brendan Cole BLASTS Shirley Ballas in awkward clash
STRICTLY COME DANCING judge Shirley Ballas and professional Brendan Cole nearly came to blows this evening as a spat got heated.
'Shirley Ballas will need to impress us pros' jokes Brendan Cole
The 57-year-old clashed heavily with the dancing champion, 41, as she issued a damning critique of Charlotte Hawkins’ Tango to Dangerzone from Top Gun.
“It’s definitely a little bit better than last week,” Shirley told the couple, much to the anger of Brendan who hit back: “A little bit?”
Despite the outburst, Shirley calmly continued and did not mince her word: “Definitely just a little bit, Brendan, unfortunately. She needs to stand on her own feet and we’ve established that there’s no rise and fall in Tango.
“So we’ve got to make a concrete decision not to use rise and fall. So no rise and fall.”
But Brendan did not back down and he lashed out: “There was no rise and fall in that whatsoever.”
“Well, there is, Brendan. You should play it back and see,” Shirley told him as she maintained her cool.
Well, there is, Brendan. You should play it back and see
The professional dancer again retorted: “I will my dear, I will. There was no rise and fall.”
The awkward exchange was felt by the audience and fellow members of the judging panel as Bruno Tonioli tried to offer his thoughts on the routine.
“Anyway, you looked the part and you played the role. But there are still too many mistakes,” the 61-year-old judge told her.
He continued: “You’e got to do it right and if you go wrong, don’t hold onto him for dear life.”
Bruno then took aim at Brendan for answering back to Shirley: “I’m not an expert, I’ve only done about 500 shows but I think Shirley’s right, you should be more respectful.”
The scenes come as Brendan blasted Shirley on social media for her comments last week.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One tomorrow at 7.15pm.