Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Strictly Shirley: Give our celebs a chance
Judge fires back as critics blast ‘Z-list’ dance line-up
STRICTLY judge Shirley Ballas has defended the so-called “Z-list” lineup of celebs on the show this year, urging viewers to “give it a chance”.
Critics have been underwhelmed with the dancers chosen, who include comedian Seann Walsh, Youtuber Joe Sugg and Capital FM DJ Vick Hope.
Outspoken Shirley said: “First of all, I don’t think the BBC ever get it wrong. They gave me a chance last year and I got a lot of abuse online and people didn’t even know me or give me half a chance.
“This year is completely different. I feel embraced, I feel loved. This is exactly what’s going to happen, I believe, with this diverse panel of beautiful people, all with a story.”
Shirley then went on to accidentally claim they had a “paraplegic Olympian” on the show.
In fact, Strictly has signed double World Champion Paralympic triathlete Lauren Steadman, who was born missing the lower part of her right arm, but is not paraplegic.
Shirley added: “It has to be a mixture of people and, at the end of the day, people will watch it, they’ll judge for themselves. Give these stars a chance and I know that, as with every year, with ratings, people love to tune in, and this is going to be a great panel of people.” It comes after the Mirror’s TV critic Ian Hyland yesterday joined those questioning some of the line-up, which also includes Casualty star Charles Venn, What Not To Wear’s Susannah Constantine, BBC newsreader Kate Silverton ex-cricketer Graeme Swann and ex-model Katie Piper.
But Shirley was quick to hit back at barbs on social media about some of them being “Z-listers”, saying: “I wasn’t even on the alphabet.” Speaking on ITV’S Loose Women, the dancer also revealed she’s had just one date in three years and finds it “hard to trust people”.
It comes after her ex Corky Ballas, 58, who she divorced in 2007, spoke to a newspaper last year, just before she joined Strictly, claiming they were always arguing. Shirley, 57, said: “I’ve had one date in three years. I don’t have a social life, that’s the sad part.
“It’s hard to trust people a little bit, so it leaves me in a bit of a predicament.”