Shirley Ballas Sparks Heated Strictly Debate With Lewis Cope Critique
As alarm bells clang, a leading voice pours cold water on talk of collapse: I don't see the crash, bang, wallop that everybody else sees.
Strictly already has its first big judging dust-up: Shirley Ballas went in on Lewis Cope and Katya Jones after their jive, and the fandom lit up like a glitter cannon. If you missed it, here is what actually happened and why people are split.
The dance that set it off
Lewis and Katya delivered a sharp, high-energy jive to The Temptations' Get Ready — clean kicks, big jumps, plenty of flash. Shirley praised the music choice for being refined and soft melodically, but argued the routine itself came off too aggressive against that vibe. That kind of music-versus-movement mismatch is very inside-baseball ballroom, but it is something judges care about.
Shirley vs the boos (and Katya)
The audience booed the critique, and Shirley had to ask them to hold on so she could finish. Her main note: Lewis already has power to burn — jumps, splits, box-ticking tricks — but he needs more polish when he actually partners. She talked posture and lines, even calling out that elusive 'swan-like neck' quality. She directed some of that feedback to Katya too, framing it as refinement, not perfection.
'I get your power, I love everything about your power, I think you are destined for greatness in this competition but for me, I do not see the crash, bang, wallop that everybody else sees.'
Translation: She sees serious potential, she just wants the edges sanded down to match the music and the partnering.
Viewers were not exactly unified
Social media split right down the middle. One person on X backed the critique — 'Shirley speaking facts about the music choices' — while another countered with: 'Lewis was great, he is an actor and can dance.'
The scoreboard reality check
For all the noise, the numbers were solid. Lewis and Katya landed 27 points — just one shy of what they pulled last weekend. Because Strictly rolled week one scores into week two, they are actually sitting on top of the current leaderboard with 55 points. So yes, critique happened; also yes, they are leading.
- Style: Jive
- Song: Get Ready by The Temptations
- Judges' score: 27 (one less than last weekend)
- Week two leaderboard total with rolled-over scores: 55 (top spot)
- Public vote: opens tonight for the 2025 cast
What happens next
The public finally gets a say tonight, so leaderboard or not, we will see if Lewis and Katya's momentum keeps them clear of the dance-off. If you are catching up, Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC iPlayer.