Shirley’s got a tough job but she’s Strictly neutral

Strictly’s Shirley Ballas has been “vilified” by accusations she favours men over women, says her pal Janette Manrara.

Which is very unfestive, for the upcoming season. The It Takes Two presenter reckons Shirley’s job as head judge is “tough” – especially amid claims she is a harsher critic of female stars. “It’s not that there is bias,” says Janette, a former dancer on the show. “For me, dance is so subjective. There is no right or wrong answer.

“There are things technically that you can really point out but in terms of – did you like the concept? Did you like the song? Did you like wardrobe? Did you like the choreography?

“That all becomes highly, highly subjective so there is no right or wrong or one way system for anyone.” Shirley came under fire for saying she would have opted to send Fleur East home during a dance-off and was mocked for praising Arsenal footballer Tony Adams’s roly poly move.

But Janette adds: “She has got a really tough job. I would not want to be the one who decides who goes and who stays and for it to all fall in my hands as a head judge. “Everyone is so brilliant in this series that I think the judge’s job is very tough. “I don’t think anyone knows better than her the specifics of each dance we do on Strictly.”

■ See Janette and husband Alijaz Skorjanec on tour in A Christmas to Remember, from next week. Tickets from achristmastoremember.co.uk.

BEST JUDGE Ballas knows the dance specifics

ON A ROLY POLY Tony Adams & Katya Jones