Shirley Ballas frustrated some Strictly Come Dancing fans when she refused to be drawn into discussion about the show’s kiss scandal during an appearance on This Morning.
Other fans, however, felt Shirley was right to keep the focus on the dancing and swerve questions about the contestants’ private lives.
The head judge appeared eager to move on when the subject of Seann Walsh and Katya Jones’ snogging session was brought up by Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
Seann has since been dumped by his girlfriend while Katya’s husband Neil has yet to comment.
Holly broached the subject by saying Strictly is such a family friendly show, it’s a “shame” the headlines this week have been about Seann and Katya’s antics.
Shirley answered by deflecting the question entirely, saying: “To be really perfectly honest, I’m also getting ready for the International Championships at the Royal Albert Hall, so I’ve been very engrossed getting the children ready for that and I shall go out on Saturday with everybody, enjoying the show and ready to see the dancing and judge without fear or favour.”
But Phillip wouldn’t let her get away with just that answer and quickly replied: “Nice dodge. So, let’s talk about the kiss then.”
He asked Shirley if it was “inevitable” that a pro dancer and celebrity would get close on Strictly.
She responded: “I think things happen all the time in every industry. I just feel Strictly or any show on television, it’s in the public eye and seems to get a little bit more attention. I don’t necessarily think its just because of Strictly.”
Read more: Will the judges reference Seann and Katya’s kiss on Strictly?
Shirley also swerved Phil’s questioning about how the judges reacted when the story of Seann and Katya’s kiss broke.
She said: “I’m not a newspaper reader so I’m probably the last to know any information going on. I just think people get on with their job. I’m here to judge a competition about dancing. I’m not there to judge anybody’s private life.”
Phil also pressed Shirley on whether anyone at Strictly had suggested Seann and Katya should quit.
She told him: “Again, that’s not mu job. I’m there as an adjudicator to judge the dancing and I think they will dance on Saturday, I believe, and I shall be judging the dancing.”
Some viewers admitted being disappointed Shirley hadn’t spilled any details on what has been going on at Strictly in the wake of the kiss, readily admitting they’d been hoping for “gossip”.
Shirley Ballas dodging questions about the kiss #thismorning pic.twitter.com/kfyHOskICP
— Estella Joyce 🌟 (@LelJoyce) October 10, 2018
Come on Shirley Ballas, give us the gossip we all want to know! #thismorning @thismorning
— Grace Quinn (@GraceMCQuinn) October 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/clairebowie_/status/1049983161172668418
https://twitter.com/jessica_hussey1/status/1049983076854566914
https://twitter.com/ElJPrince/status/1049982710456963073
https://twitter.com/noreenk86/status/1049982800777146368
@Schofe @hollywills @thismorning wasted interview with @ShirleyBallas @bbcstrictly complete dodging
— Mandy (@ChurchStRebel) October 10, 2018
Others said Phil and Holly should move on from the subject as it was clear Shirley didn’t want to discuss it and they should respect that.
Give it up Phil, she ain't getting off that fence.#ThisMorning
— Lee Montgomery (@leehotmess) October 10, 2018
Shirley Ballas doesn't want to talk about Seann Walsh & Katya Jones. Move on #ThisMorning
— Darren Haywood (@darren_haywood) October 10, 2018
#thismorning stop talking about this kiss… Shirley looks uncomfortable. STOP pressing for gossip Phillip
— Lisa Catchpole (@LisaM_Catchpole) October 10, 2018
Some applauded Shirley for keeping the focus on the dancing and agreed it was nobody’s business what is happening in Seann and Katya’s private lives.
Shirley is smashing this interview, completely agree with everything she’s saying. It’s none of our bloody business. It’s a dancing competition! #ThisMorning #Strictly
— Erin Francis (@ErinLucyFrancis) October 10, 2018
Stylish lady @ShirleyBallas . Didnt not sink into the tabloid mentality of #ThisMorning She judges dancing not people
— Roddie Cleere (@AreYouRoddie) October 10, 2018
@thismorning @ShirleyBallas Shirley Ballas is such a beautiful dignified woman. She handled the ‘predictable’ questions from @Schofe & @hollywills in such a professional manner
— Lady Tibble (@aDenise88) October 10, 2018
@ShirleyBallas Very Professional on #ThisMorning I love your attitude. Great interview. Looking fabulous 💃💃💃
— Joe Mackenzie 🌈🏴 (@JoeMackenzie16) October 10, 2018
Seann apologised on Twitter after the photos surfaced, writing: “In light of the story in today’s newspaper I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions.
In light of the story in today’s newspaper I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions. This is no excuse but it was a one-off drunken mistake which I am truly sorry for.
— Seann Walsh (@seannwalsh) October 7, 2018
“This is no excuse but it was a one-off drunken mistake which I am truly sorry for.”
Read more: Strictly’s Seann Walsh’s girlfriend dumps him after Katya Jones kiss
Katya, 29, said it was not a reflection of her marriage to fellow Strictly pro Neil Jones in an apology posted to her own Twitter account.
“I’m so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions,” she tweeted. “I wasn’t thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks. I love my husband and we are very happy together, this is not a reflection on our relationship.”
I’m so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions. I wasn’t thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks. I love my husband and we are very happy together, this is not a reflection on our relationship.
— katya Jones (@Mrs_katjones) October 7, 2018
Seann, 32, and Katya are set to continue to dance together on the BBC show and will perform the Charleston on Saturday night’s live show.
Do you think the judges should reference Seann and Katya’s kiss? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.