Fans outraged after Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas blasts Karen Clifton over ‘mistake’

Shirley Ballas

by Daisy Jordan |
Updated on

Usually it's the contestants being judged on their dancing abilities on Strictly Come Dancing, but last night Karen Clifton found herself feeling Shirley Ballas' wrath.

Following Karen's dance with Charles Venn, Craig Revel Horwood called the actor out for missing some steps.

But Shirley blamed Karen instead, defending Charles and claiming it was his professional dancing partner who made the slip-up.

Charles Venn and Karen Clifton
©© BBC Pictures

Karen, who was previously married to fellow professional dancer Kevin Clifton, looked visibly annoyed as she shook her head.

The star's fans had her back though, taking to social media to vent over the 'unfair' comments.

Charles Venn and Karen Clifton
©BBC

One viewer commented, "Why does Shirley always criticise Karen?!"

Then another tweeted Shirley directly, writing, "Hi @ShirleyBallas, you really seem to have it in for Karen, every week you unnecessarily put her down in some way, and it’s horrible to watch. Why?"

"They’ve got it in for Karen this year," another fan added.

It's not the first time Shirley has fallen out with Strictly's professional dancers.

GALLERY: Strictly Come Dancing 2018 line-up

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Strictly Come Dancing 2018 rumoured lineup - CLOSER SLIDER

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Strictly Come Dancing logo

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Vick Hope - CONFIRMED

Capital FM presenter Vick Hope has confirmed she's taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year. Speaking on the breakfast show, she told Roman Kemp: "I can tell you that every Saturday night I get to be close to Faye from Steps... I'm doing Strictly!"

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Joe Sugg - CONFIRMED

YouTube vlogger Joe Sugg is the brother of Zoella, and he's now looking to make a name for himself on Strictly. He confirmed the exciting news on BBC Radio Breakfast and admitted: "I'm very nervous about it, it's totally out of my comfort zone and I know it will be a huge challenge but that's what life is all about I guess."

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Faye Tozer - CONFIRMED

Faye Tozer, 42, has signed up to take part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing.Although she's 'Faye from Steps' and basically a professional dancer, she down played any speculation that she has an upper hand. Speaking on The One Show, she said: "Even though I have got some experience, I don't have any ballroom experience, so I'm really excited get my teeth into that, dance with a partner and be whisked around the floor."

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Danny John-Jules - CONFIRMED

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Katie Piper

TV personality Katie Piper is the first CONFIRMED celebrity taking part in Strictly this year. The mum-of-two confirmed the news on BBC Breakfast and wrote on Instagram: "Thank you for all your lovely messages. "I'm super excited but very nervous about being a contestant on this years @bbcstrictly it's going to be a challenge but everyone who knows me knows I love a challenge so here goes... a new chapter in my life! #strictly2018 #bbcbreakfast"

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Graeme Swann

Rumour has it that cricketer Graeme Swann has signed up for Strictly Come Dancing this year.A source told The Sun: "Producers love a sportsman and cricketers have a great track record."Though Graeme might come across as a bit awkward, they're hoping he's got twinkle toes like some of his predecessors."Graeme wouldn't be the first cricketer to take part in the BBC One show; Mark Ramprakash and Darren Gough have both won the show and Phil Tufnell and Michael Vaughan have also been contestants.

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Lee Ryan

Following in the footsteps of bandmate Simon Webbe (who finished in second place four years ago), Blue member Lee Ryan is said to be joining the Strictly lineup. A source told The Mirror: "Lee will make great TV - he's naturally charismatic and very funny."

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Ashley Roberts

A TV insider has revealed that former The Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts could be heading to the studios. A source told the Mirror: "Ashley is already a hot favourite because of her dance experience with the Dolls as well as having trained as a dancer."Although she might not have done much ballroom or Latin, being able to pick up choreography quickly as well as her rhythm is sure to give her an edge."

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Jake Quickenden

Jake Quickenden may have only just settled back into normal life after winning Dancing On Ice in March this year, but the 29 year old has already sparked rumours that he's heading back onto the small screen later this year.After tweeting that he's "ready for a new challenge," fans have gone wild for the cryptic post - with many being convinced that he could be trying out yet another dancing TV show... AKA Strictly Come Dancing.

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Alex Scott

Former Arsenal defender and England football player Alex Scott is rumoured to be waltzing on the dance floor. She reportedly won BBC bosses over following her World Cup commentary, go girl!A source told the Mirror: "The word is she has agreed to sign up which would be a fantastic deal for everyone – she ticks all the boxes."It's just a case of narrowing people down to see if they are really up for it and there aren't any commitments preventing them from going ahead."This wouldn't be the first time she dances on TV as she's previously partnered up with Pasha Kovalev for Sports Relief special.

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Anthony Quinlan

Rumour has it Emmerdale star Anthony Quinlan might be appearing on Strictly Come Dancing this year alongside his girlfriend Dianne Buswell.Fans of the show have already seen Dianne as a professional dancer on Strictly and for the first time EVER viewers may get to see a couple either dancing or competing on the show together!How exciting.As long as nothing happens to Pete Barton in Emmerdale, we're totally here for Anthony appearing on the dance show.

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Daisy Wood-Davis

She's known for playing Kim Butterfield in Hollyoaks but Daisy Wood-Davis has hinted that she'd like to do Strictly Come Dancing.She admitted to the Daily Star: "I've always wanted to do is Strictly. My mum and my auntie have always wanted me to do and I think they see it as a level of 'I've made it.'"She added: "I think it's just a classic family TV show, I think it's brilliant, but it's hard with the Hollyoaks schedule, that's the only the thing."Hmm. Watch this space.

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Spice Girls

Back in 2006 Emma Bunton took part in Strictly Come Dancing and came third but now there's been reports that another Spice Girls star could go on the BBC show.According to The Sun, Strictly bosses keen to get Geri Horner, Mel B or Mel C for the new series.

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Coleen Rooney

It's been reported that Coleen Rooney is "in talks" with BBC bosses about taking part in Strictlythis year.She's wouldn't be the first WAG to take part in the BBC show; we've previously seen Abbey Clancy, Louise Redknapp and Frankie Bridge all take to the ballroom.The speculation comes shortly after a rocky year with her husband involving a drink-driving arrest, cheating allegations and the birth of their fourth son Cass.

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Michelle Keegan

Strictly Come Dancing bosses are apparently set to spend a 'RECORD amount' on former Coronation Street turned Our Girl actress Michelle Keegan.Yup.Strictly bosses will apparently do whatever it takes to get Mark Wright's wife on the show. With a source adding to the Daily Star: "That's a demographic that they are desperate to attract to the show and something they are willing to break the bank for."

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Rylan Clark

Last year we saw Ruth Langsford on Strictly and this year it looks like her colleague Rylan Clark might be heading on the show too!The TV presenter isn't shy of television; we've seen him on the X Factor, Celebrity Big Brother, Big Brother's Bit on the Side and This Morning.Is Strictly next?

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Cheryl

She welcomed baby Bear Grey Payne into the world last year and has been pretty MIA since she fell pregnant. Despite being super busy as a mum, all that speculation surrounding her relationship with Liam Payneand hinted that she's back in the studio, Shirley Ballas has revealed she wants the Girls Aloud star on Strictly.Hmm.Could Chez be persuaded?

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Maya Jama

She's a TV and radio presenter and you'll most likely recognise her voice from BBC Radio 1 but now it's been reported that Maya Jama might go on Strictly.She's dating grime artist Stormzy and it's thought that her relationship will hopefully bring in a younger audience. Maya also wouldn't be the first presenter to go on Strictly, we've seen quite a lot of TV hosts including Caroline Flack, Laura Whitmore and Ore Oduba.

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Piers Morgan

We're not going to lie we'd LOVE to see Piers Morgan on Strictly Come Dancing - can you imagine his reaction when one of the judges criticise him? They'll end up having a full blown row...After weeks of speculation that the GMB host will go on Strictly, shortly after her danced with Anton Du Beke on the ITV breakfast show he hinted on Twitter that he's "ready" to go on Strictly.

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Boris Johnson

We've seen Ed Balls, Ann Widdecombe, Edwina Currie and Vince Cable take part in Strictly Come Dancing, could Boris Johnson be next?Shirley Ballas admitted she wants a politician to take part this year because they "bring some humour". The Strictly judge went on to say she'd like Boris Johnson on the show.

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Jamie Redknapp

His ex-wife Louise Redknapp took part in Strictly back in 2016 and now it's been rumoured that Jamie Redknapp has been approached by Strictly bosses.Yup.There was speculation that the breakdown of the Redknapp's marriage was due to the Strictly curse and according to The Sun, BBC bosses were cheeky enough to ask the retired footballer if he wanted to go on the show.Apparently he turned it down because he "only has negative feelings about Strictly now".Eek!

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Nadiya Hussain

According to The Sun, Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain has caught the eye of BBC bosses. A source told the publication: "Producers have openly said how much they would like to get Nadiya on the show."

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Scarlett Moffatt

She's been on Gogglebox, I'm A Celebrity, Streetmate and Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway but fans guessed that she's taking part in Strictly this year because of one of her tweets!She wrote: "Just realised I've spent two hours on the train watching old strictly come dancing clips ud83eudd23 I've watched that many I've choreographed a Charleston in my head ud83dude02ud83dude02 "She's either binge watching the dances or getting prepared for later this year...

Last year the judge had a rumoured feud with pro Brendan Cole after she criticised his dancing.

Brendan did not return to the show this year after being axed, but Shirley vehemently denied a row between the pair.

"I don’t have any recollection on a personal level of bridges ever being broken or rebuilt between me and Brendan," she later said.

Shirley Ballas
©James M Warren/SilverHub/REX/Shutterstock

"He is an amazing dancer, an amazing person, whose career I have followed for many, many years and I'm extremely proud of what he's achieved both at work and at home.

"One of the things people learn with me is I don't need to pull someone else down to build myself up and I will live and die by that rule."

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