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KICKED IN THE BALLAS

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas furious after Craig Revel Horwood said ‘her breasts were fake’

Craig ridiculed her and fellow show stars as he plugged his book — after they both appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show

STRICTLY’S Shirley Ballas has revealed she made fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood apologise for his snide rant about her boobs.

The head judge, 58, confronted him after he told fans they were “fake” and “hanging out” at her first audition.

Shirley Ballas
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Shirley Ballas confronted Craig Revel Horwood after he told fans her boobs were fakeCredit: TREVOR LEIGHTON/CAMERA PRESS

Shirley, breaking her silence on the bust-up, said: “I don’t think it’s appropriate for anyone to make comments about anyone else — be it about their body or anything they do — when working as a team.

“I’m a team player and I have the backs of my fellow people. Yes, I got an apology — a sincere apology.”

She added: “I don’t need anybody to make me feel bad about myself. I can do that to myself.”

The Sun told last month how Craig, 53, ridiculed her and fellow show stars as he plugged his book — days after they both appeared on ITV’s The Jonathan Ross Show.

Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood
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Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood appeared on The Jonathan Ross show togetherCredit: Rex Features
Shirley Ballas says affairs happen in every industry as she discusses Seann and Katya kiss on This Morning

Shirley went on: “To each his own. I don’t think you need to sell anything off the back of making anybody else look small. I don’t think joking about somebody else’s body is funny.”

Shirley has also suffered cutting insults from scores of online trolls.

She said: “I might quit Twitter. There have been horrible comments. After the show, people’s emotions run high. Instead of taking a breath, they just write.

“Some woman said, ‘I really hate her. I think we should smash her in the teeth with a chair’ — or something like that. I wonder sometimes what place those people are in.”

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Shirley has also suffered cutting insults from trollsCredit: BBC

Shirley, speaking ahead of filming tonight on Blackpool Tower, also played down the row over Danny John-Jules, 58, allegedly bullying dance partner Amy Dowden, 27, on the BBC1 smash hit.

She likened it to her clashes with her two ex-husbands Sammy Stopford and Corky Ballas — both former dance partners.

Shirley said: “Everything would get heated, so I understand that.

“As a professional, you learn to handle it, as long as there’s no abuse or anything like that.

Shirley Ballas
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Shirley Ballas played down the row over Danny John-Jules allegedly bullying dance partner Amy Dowden
Danny John-Jules crashes out of Strictly Come Dancing

“But people get heated in a marriage, in friendship, in no matter what you’re doing. Voices get elevated, not just Danny’s or Amy’s.

“People get tired, emotions run high, people want to stay in the competition, things happen. But I think it’s normal.” When The Sun revealed the row, Danny accused us of racism — a claim that has also dogged Strictly for years.
Shirley insisted: “It’s absolutely not racist at all. Everybody’s a human being, all giving their best. This is the greatest show on earth.”

My verdict

Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice

Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice
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Faye and dance partner Giovanni Pernice will need to give 100 per cent in week eightCredit: PA:Press Association

I EXPECT a lot from her given what she’s brought from the start of the show. Some weeks she nails it, other weeks it’s a little bit laid back.

Going into Week Eight you have to bring 100 per cent of what you’ve got.

Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice dance theatre jazz in the Strictly Halloween special

Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev

Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev
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It hasn't been plain sailing with Ashley Roberts and Pasha KovalevCredit: PA:Press Association

HER contemporary number was amazing. But with her, as with everyone else each week, they get something they’re comfortable or uncomfortable with. I wouldn’t say her whole series has been plain sailing.

Charles Venn and Karen Clifton

Charles Venn and Karen Clifton
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Charles Venn and Karen Clifton take criticism wellCredit: BBC

HE’S one of the nicest people I I’ve ever met.

He’s so kind and takes his criticism with such class — “I’ll really take that on board and try my best.”

I find him, as with all of them, extremely polite.

Graeme Swann and Oti Mabuse

Graeme Swann and Oti Mabuse
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Graeme Swann and Oti Mabuse bring a lot of fun to the showCredit: PA:Press Association

SUPERMAN, Spider-Man, whatever man he’s been, you know he’s strong and comes back each week. He brings fun.

He’s bold, too. In last week’s dance-off he just went for it and made no technical mistakes.

Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell

Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell
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Joe Sugg and dance partner Dianne Buswell have come on leaps and boundsCredit: PA:Press Association

AT first I wasn’t sure how seriously he’d take the show.

But I’ve been thrilled to see him take it seriously. He’s focused — doing his best, taking criticism on board and listening. He’s come on leaps and bounds.

Kate Silverton and Aljaz Skorjanec

Kate and Aljaz
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Kate and Aljaz gave 100 per cent and got a great score last weekCredit: PA:Press Association

She’s come on leaps and bounds. Last week she recovered from the week before. She gave 100 per cent and also got a great score. The nation seems to love her. Just amazing, they’re all amazing at this stage.

I mean there’s nobody really that’s fickle or not giving or trying or taking it easy like ‘oh I’m a shoo-in here’.

Lauren Steadman and AJ Pritchard

Lauren and AJ
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Lauren and AJ have been competitive throughoutCredit: PA:Press Association

LAUREN’S brought that competitive feel.

She’s like, ‘okay I understand this isn’t about athletics but I can still bring that zone to ballroom dancing’.

Fantastic. She was amazing last week.

Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton

Stacey and Kevin
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Stacey and Kevin has got the nation behind themCredit: BBC

WHAT can you say about Stacey? She’s going for it.

At the beginning she looked like a fish out of water and now she just belongs there.

And I think probably the nation’s getting behind her.

Strictly's Stacey Dooley gives fans a sneak preview of glitzy set backstage at the Blackpool Tower where the stars will perform tomorrow night


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