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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Entertainment
George Thorpe

Strictly fans blast Shirley Ballas after judge gets dancer's name wrong

Strictly Come Dancing viewers have called for head judge Shirley Ballas to say sorry after getting a professional dancer's name wrong. During last night's (November 5) show. Shirley gave her views on the performances of all the couples.

When it came round to Kiss FM DJ Tyler West and his professional partner Dianne Buswell, who performed a Viennese Waltz to I've Been Loving You Too Long by Seal, the judging quartet gave them 29 points - the third lowest score of the night. However, it was while Shirley - who gave the couple seven points - spoke to Tyler and Dianne that anger starting being felt.

During the segment, Shirley - who replaced Len Goodman as head judge in 2017 on the BBC show - was heard calling the professional dancer "Diana". This led to many viewers jumping on Twitter to express their anger with the judge.

Read more: 'Stale' Strictly facing 'major shake-up' after 2022 series ends

Some pointed out Shirley made the same error last week, with others saying she should know Dianne's name by now as they joined the show in the same year. Bob180 tweeted: "Shirley do us all a favour and stop calling Dianne, Diana.

"It comes over as really patronising. Thank you."

Rachel Middlemiss added: "Shirley Ballas calling Dianne Buswell "Diana" is just rude. You've known Diane long enough to actually know her name properly. Try and show some respect and don't get her name wrong, that's just rude."

Tyler West and Dianne Buswell on Strictly Come Dancing (BBC)

Meanwhile, Essie said: "C’mon Shirley, please start calling Dianne Buswell by her correct name and not Diana as you insist on doing. Imagine how hurt you would be if we all called you Sheila Ballas?"

And Alice Bradshaw tweeted: "The fact Dianne has been on the show as long as Shirley has, yet Shirley can’t get her name right. There’s no way she doesn’t know Dianne's name. Shirley Ballas - please apologise, you’ve done it multiple times now."

Strictly Come Dancing's results show airs at 7.15pm tonight (November 6) on BBC One.

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