The anticipation is building as BBC viewers will soon see one celebrity crowned the winner of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. After weeks of twirling across the dancefloor, either JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri, Sarah Hadland or Chris McCausland will lift the glitterball.
Before the big night, which promises dazzling showdances, a performance from singer RAYE, and a cast group number, head judge Shirley Ballas shared her thoughts on the series.
In a chat with the BBC she said: “The whole series of Strictly 2024 has been utterly remarkable. It’s been an honour to have a front row seat to the best show on television. The cast have been truly wonderful and the dancing has been off the chart. I’ve loved being with my fellow judges and getting involved in the fun. It’s been a blast.”
However, as the long-standing dance show began, it seemed that viewers were quick to notice the same thing when Shirley Ballas gave feedback to Sarah Hadland. Before taking them to the dancefloor, Shirley attended Sarah and Vito’s rehearsal to give them some advice and tips, reports the Mirror.
Speaking to the camera, she said: “People are going to be looking for those finished extensions. You need to have soft knees. Shes just got to bring it all together and sell it.”
Sarah was over the moon with Shirley’s sage advice, gratefully acknowledging the judge’s support. Shirley responded: “Look, you’ve ended up in the final! I bet you didn’t think that for a New York minute did you?! You represent, of course, all the women over 50, I’m 64. You get out there and you show women, ‘You know what, you can do this.'”.
Yet, viewers were quick to voice their displeasure at Shirley’s focus on age. One viewer expressed frustration: “Shirley, stop mentioning Sarah’s age challenge she can just be amazing regardless of her age #strictly.”
Another added their critique: “I can’t do with Shirley constantly bringing up Sarah’s age She’s amazing, full stop.” A third chimed in: “F**k sake Shirley stop banging on a lot Sarah’s age. We don’t care!”
One more shared their annoyance: “When will Shirley give Sarah’s age a rest it’s so undermining.” And another vented: “Why does Shirley always mention Sarah’s age though! She’s good, doesn’t matter that she’s over 50!”
Following Sarah and Vito’s performance in the final, Shirley was full of compliments. Commenting on Vito Coppola’s minor wardrobe issue, Shirley remarked: “There was no malfunction with the routine! That was absolutely superb.”
She continued reflecting on their time together: “Do you know what is kind of extraordinary for me? When I met you for those couple of hours in the studio, I gave you so many things to think about.”
Shirley, the judge, expressed her astonishment at Sarah’s ability to remember all the advice provided before her performance, admitting: “I’m lucky if I get one or two things remembered from students and you; I can see that you really worked hard.”
The question now on everyone’s lips is whether Sarah might be the contender poised to raise the Glitterball trophy next.
Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.