Shirley Ballas has hit back at rumours that Aston Merrygold's controversial exit from Strictly Come Dancing at the weekend was a fix.
Shirley, who is new to the Strictly judging panel this year, came under fire after she chose to send fan-favourite Aston home over Mollie King, who appeared in the dance-off the previous week as well.
But Shirley, 57, hit back at fix rumours on Loose Women earlier today.
WATCH: Shirley Ballas opens up about her first few weeks as a Strictly judge
She said: "There’s no fix. None at all. It’s a TV show at the end of the day, everybody tunes in, everybody has a chance to vote. It’s in everybody’s living room, they’re all enjoying it.
"There’s nothing at all like that – so it’s just a load of rubbish. You can only judge exactly what you see on the evening. Not before performances and not coming up. Nothing like that.
"Molly’s dance was better. She had more glide - it was better technically. It was just unfortunate. Again, I ask Great Britain, where were those votes? Why were they in the bottom two? Why were they there in the first place?"
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But poor Shirley has not only been the subject of criticism - she's also been the victim of online trolling.
She said she found it difficult not to look at what people were saying online: "It’s a bit like saying to a small child, ‘Don’t touch the electrical outlet, don’t do this, don’t do that’, when you’re new at it."
She added: "I couldn’t even repeat some of the things that people have called me, or said about me, or criticised my family or whatever.
"There are some nice people on Twitter as well so I feel like I’ve got this little Twitter army behind me, just some really lovely people. One or two that have been mean have come back round and said, ‘Maybe I made a mistake’."
But that aside, Shirley is loving her time on Strictly: "It’s been an amazing experience. I’ve never done any TV before - I love my job, I love the critiquing of the dancers. I love the journey of all of every celebrity that’s on there."
N'aww. Keep your chin up, Shirl!
Are you a fan of Shirley on Strictly? What did you think of Aston being sent home? Let us know over on Facebook and Twitter.
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NOW READ: The CONFIRMED line-up for Dancing On Ice 2018
Here's everyone who's signed up for Dancing On Ice 2018
1 of 11Brooke Vincent
Coronation Street** **actress Brooke Vincent was the first celebrity to be confirmed for this year's show. The actress said she's doing the show to 'challenge' herself.
2 of 11Cheryl Baker
Bucks Fizz singer Cheryl Baker has joined the show, but after the first training session, she's told her fans not to bet on her! She said: "I started training yesterday. It was such huge fun. I've never skated apart from when I was about 12. I am feeling nervous."
3 of 11Kem Cetinay
Love Island 2017 winner Kem Cetinay was the third celebrity to be announced for the show. He's probably hoping he has the same success as he did on** **Love Island!
4 of 11Candice Brown
Candice Brown won The Great British Bake Off in 2016, has been confirmed for the show - will she win yet again? She said: "It's nerve-wracking. I start my training today. I take my first steps on the ice later on. My friends call me Bambi on Ice and that's just normal day to day!"
5 of 11Max Evans
Scottish rugby union ace Max Evan has also been confirmed to appear on the show. He could be taking dancing tips from his brother Thom who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2014.
6 of 11Jake Quickenden
Jake Quickenden found fame when he was a contestant on The X Factor in both 2012 and 2014, and will surely be a hit with viewers of the show. He said: "I'm terrified. I had my first training session yesterday - I was freezing! Ice is cold! But it was amazing, the coaches are unbelievable. I just feel so lucky that I've been asked to do it."
7 of 11Monty Panesar
Former England international cricketer Monty Panesar is the second sports star to sign up for the show. He said: "This is a great opportunity to keep myself fit and motivated and try a different sport. I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be very exciting."
8 of 11Alex Beresford
Good Morning Britain presenter Alex Beresford confirmed he is appearing on this year's series. The 37-year-old said: "I've wanted to do this show for ages. It's been the biggest secret I've ever kept."
9 of 11Donna Air
Donna Air confirmed she would be taking part in the show on Loose Women. Donna said she was nervous about taking part, but she was also excited. "It is absolutely terrifying. It's exciting though, it's looking like it's going to be a great series. It's really difficult."
10 of 11Perri Shakes-Drayton
British track and field athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton is swapping the track for the ice rink as she takes part in the new series. Perri confirmed her appearance in an interview on BBC Radio 1Xtra, saying: "It is an opportunity and I was told in the past I'd never be able to run again and that was not nice to be told."
11 of 11Antony Cotton
Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton is the 11th celebrity to be announced for the new series. Antony, who plays Sean Tully in the soap, said: "I better get my skates on - I've got practicing to do!"