Shirley Ballas admitted she will defiantey ‘judge performances without fear or favour’ after suffering backlash – as judges and hosts prepare for Blackpool week.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 64, didn’t hold back as she will be on the hunt to find a ‘good performance’ worthy of lighting up the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

‘I’ll be judging without fear or favour and shall be looking for pure entertainment as well as those who can bring technique, leg action, synchronisation, flexibility, flow and fabulous posture,’ she said.

Praising the annual competition event, Shirley added: ‘The celebrities are dancing in what I feel is the most iconic ballroom in the world.

‘It has the best sprung floor that industry legends have danced on.

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Shirley Ballas admitted she will definitely ‘judge performances without fear or favour’ after suffering backlash – as judges and hosts prepare for Blackpool week

The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 64, didn’t hold back as she will be on the hunt to find a ‘good performance’ worthy of lighting up the Blackpool Tower Ballroom

‘The building holds so much history – there has been more World Champions crowned in this ballroom than anywhere else in the world.’

The ballroom legend couldn’t contain her thrill, revealing the room ‘is buzzing with excitement no matter where you go’.

The TV icon continued: ‘It’s going to be so magical returning to Blackpool and I have no doubt that it’ll be an outstanding celebration of 20 years.’

When asked on her favourite Blackpool dancing performance, she replied struggling: ‘There has been so many. I’ll never get Ann and Anton’s Samba out of my head for many reasons.

‘Fleur and Vito’s Couple’s Choice was truly iconic and Ashley and Pasha’s dancing the Jive on top of tables in a chip shop will be remembered forever!

Elsewhere, Shirley was asked who among the judges was more likely to have a good dip at Blackpool beach, to which the judge boldly quipped: ‘I think I’d have to say me.

‘I love a good dip in the sea – especially if it’s nice and cold. I find it refreshing.’

It comes just days after Strictly fans have been left fuming after Shirley chose to send Shayne Ward home after a nail biting dance off against Wynne Evans on Sunday night’s episode.

‘I’ll be judging without fear or favour and shall be looking for pure entertainment as well as those who can bring technique, leg action, synchronisation, flexibility, flow and fabulous posture,’ she said

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It comes just days after Strictly fans have been left fuming after Shirley chose to send Shayne Ward home after a nail biting dance off against Wynne Evans on Sunday night’s episode

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The head judge delivered the casting vote after the judges were left with a split decision with both Craig and Motsi opting to save Shayne and Nancy (pictured) and Anton voting for Wynne and Katya

While Shirley acknowledged that both couples had made mistakes during their dance off performances, she reasoned that Wynne’s performance was more ‘joyous’ before choosing to save the Welsh opera singer

The head judge delivered the casting vote after the judges were left with a split decision with both Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse opting to save Shayne and Nancy Xu and Anton Du Beke voting for Wynne and Katya Jones.

While Shirley acknowledged that both couples had made mistakes during their dance off performances, she reasoned that Wynne’s performance was more ‘joyous’ before choosing to save the Welsh opera singer.

However fans were less than impressed with her decision as they criticised her comments after Shayne performed the notoriously hard rumba while Wynne took to the floor with an uplifting American Smooth.

Taking to X, they slammed the judge as they accused her of being ‘biased’ and branded her decision as ‘pathetic’.

They wrote: ‘So wrong, Shirley Ballas makes me so cross. When judging it’s ok to say one was joyous when they are dancing the same. How on earth can anyone say that when it’s a gallop against the rumba.’;

‘Hopefully b****y go compare man will go next week. Shayne was the better dancer by far. Shirley and anton are so biased’;

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Taking to X, Strictly viewers slammed the judge as they accused her of being ‘biased’ and branded her decision as ‘pathetic’

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Shayne gushed: ‘I’m sorry it didn’t work out to the end, but I’m super proud that I got to meet you [to Nancy] and dance with you, so thank you’

‘Gutted to see Shayne out’; ‘Shayne and Nancy should have stayed ..’

Others shared their surprise as they penned: ‘Quite surprised at the outcome in the dance off in the show. I think Shayne was the better dancer and I feel for him as he was so looking forward to dancing in Blackpool’.