Furious Strictly fans accuse judge of ‘playing favourites’ insisting she undermarked finalist
STRICTLY fans have accused Shirley Ballas of having favourites" and insisted she "unfairly" undermarked show winner Ellie Leach.
On Saturday night Coronation Street star Ellie, 22, beat West End star Layton and EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier to claim the top spot after three long months of training.
But during Ellie and Vito's performance of Jennifer Lopez Megamix in the Show Dance category, the soap star fell off Vito's shoulders in the final seconds of the dance.
But she wasn't the only one that suffered a slip-up on Sunday night, with Leyton Williams also receiving criticism for his footwork.
However, the Bad Education star was still scored a 10 from the head judge, whereas Ellie had one point knocked off for her mistake.
One unhappy viewer noted: "Wow this isn't a fix, Shirley complained about Leyton's feet but still gave a 10. Leyton and Nikita are hardly ever in hold, it's always a side by side show leaping around - same old every week."
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A second echoed: "Shirley gave Ellie a 9 when she made a mistake. Layton & Nikita make a mistake that she herself mentions, she still gives a 10. Tell me this isn't favouritism."
"Shirley didn’t mark Leyton down for his mistake - but did mark Ellie down," a third spotted.
A fourth said: "Right serious point here!! Shirley Bias marks Ellie down for a mistake in her show dance despite saying she would give her a 10. Nikita drops the hat and sync issues in dance yet she gives them a 10! Something wrong here!"
A fifth commented: "Shirley to Ellie and vito if I had a 20 panel you would be getting it. Shirley scores 9 wtf this series has been so fixed judges scores all over the place. Ellie biggest improved."
Someone else said: "If I had a 20 paddle you'd have it".... Says Shirley to Ellie and Vito The judge with a 10 paddle.... Who then gives a.... 9 !!???
Another agreed and posted: "So Shirley pointed out mistakes but still gave a 10..?"
And this viewer added: "10 from Shirley but she criticised it more than the previous two?"
The West End star, who danced with pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin, has been forced to defend himself for much of the competition amid claims that his stage background meant he had an 'advantage' in the series.
Layton admitted he was confused by the backlash as he isn't the first star on the show to have a performing background.
He told MailOnline: "Obviously, I was aware of the fact that it might have noise, but I definitely did not anticipate how much it has been because I am definitely not the first person to be in this position and I don't understand why it's shock horror news because I'm not the first and won't be the last, let's keep it moving, you know?"
"From the very beginning, I've been like, cool, if people are going to expect a certain level, let's give them that and then some."
Layton and Bobby Brazier both pulled out all the stops in a stunning final last night, but in the end, it wasn't enough to beat Coronation Street star Ellie.
In an emotional comment after winning, Ellie paid tribute to her pro partner Vito Coppola.
"He has changed my life," she said between tears.
"I don't think words can really describe how much he means to me."
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The touching words left the Italian pro emotional and he responded: "I mean this is like the cherry on the cake, all the bruises and blisters, you have been so amazing, you are Strictly.
"You represent Strictly. You are the diamond, you are shining."
