Strictly takes emotional turn as Shirley Ballas exits judging panel in tears during unexpected show interruption
In a striking turn of events, Shirley Ballas, a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, exited the judging panel in tears during an emotional show segment. This unexpected moment occurred as actress Alex Kingston and her partner, Johannes Radebe, performed a captivating rumba to “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman.
Shirley Ballas Makes History with Emotional Gesture
In a historic move for the BBC show, Shirley left her chair to join the dancers on stage. She expressed her admiration for their performance, stating, “I have to tell you, I’m going to get emotional. In all of my time on Strictly, I have never seen a pair of legs work like that.”
Stunning Performance and Choreography
Ballas praised the routine as “absolutely perfect” with “stunning choreography” and noted that the chemistry between the dancers was “portrayed beautifully.” She emotionally reached out to Alex, asking, “May I give the Queen a kiss?” This gesture led to a heartfelt embrace between the two, with Alex visibly moved and in tears, exclaiming, “I’m going to cry!”
Judges React
Returning to her seat, Shirley’s emotional display left host Tess Daly and fellow judges astounded. Tess remarked, “That’s never happened before in Strictly history,” while Alex struggled to contain her emotions. “Oh, goodness me, I wish I had a tissue!” Tess added, reflecting the mood in the studio.
- Judging Panel Responses:
- Anton Du Beke expressed his admiration and followed Shirley to greet Alex with a handshake and a “well done.”
- Craig Revel Horwood faced boos from the audience for suggesting that Alex should extend her legs more during the performance.
- Motsi Mabuse offered a glowing review, stating, “This was on a whole different level.”
Scores and Aftermath
Despite the mixed reactions from the judges, Alex and Johannes achieved an impressive score of 36 points. Their scores included an eight from Craig, a nine from Motsi, a ten from Shirley, and a nine from Anton. Alex credited their spectacular performance to their “amazing connection.”
This emotional episode on Strictly Come Dancing has set a new standard, showcasing the powerful connection between performers and judges, illustrating that even in a competitive environment, moments of genuine emotion can shine through.
