A Strictly Come Dancing star has been flooded with support after a heartbreaking moment on the dance floor
Joe Crutchley Screen Time reporter
20:13, 16 Nov 2025
Strictly’s Shirley Ballas faces backlash over behaviour towards ‘distraught’ Vicky Pattison
Strictly Come Dancing fans have called out Shirley Balls following her comments towards an emotional star on the show.
The glitzy BBC One show returned to screens on Sunday night (November 16) to reveal the latest celeb to get eliminated from the competition.
During Saturday night’s show (November 15) Amber Davies and professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin found themselves at the top of the leaderboard, with soap star Lewis Cope and Katya Jones in second. At the other end, was EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and reality TV star Vicky Pattison, who both scored 27 points with their respective partners.
However, during the results show, it was Balvinder and Vicky who ended up in the dance-off. Before performing their routines again, the judges shared some advice for the couples. However, it was Shirley’s comments that left some fans unimpressed.
Vicky found herself in the dance-off
She said: “For you Vicky you look a little bit distraught there, you’ve got wipe it out! Forget it, it’s a new dance, a new day. So for both couples give it your all.”
But fans were not impressed with Shirley’s comment. On X, one person fumed: “Does shirley think that continuing to point out someone’s anxiety and basically tell them to just get over it on the spot is actually helpful…???” Someone else wrote: “Shirley saying Vicky looks distraught,” along with a picture of a shocked person.
Shirley was called out by fans
Meanwhile a third angry fan called out Shirley for telling Balvinder – who has been in the dance-off several times: “Balvinder’s kind of a little experienced of this so I’m sure she knows what to come.” Reacting to the remark, a social media user wrote: “Not Shirley making a joke about Bal being the dance-off again.”
After both couples had danced a second time, the judges decided to send home Vicky, meaning Balvinder and Julian therefore secured their place at Strictly’s annual Blackpool extravaganza next weekend.
Vicky was sent home(Image: BBC)
When asked by Tess about her time on the show, Vicky said: “It was so lovely while it lasted, and I’ve had the nicest time. I knew this week was a difficult one for me, and I tried my hardest as I have every week.
“Listen, I didn’t think I’d get past week one. And I’m really honoured to have shared this experience with so many amazing people.
“Mostly with this fella [Kai] right here. I don’t want to sound too cheesy but [to Kai] you’ve been the best partner a girl can ask for. I’m so sorry I didn’t get you to Blackpool but I feel like I’ve won just by having you as my partner and I’m so grateful.”
Strictly Come Dancing airs every weekend on BBC One.
