Shirley Ballas has defended Ashley Roberts over ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ criticism.
The former Pussycat Dolls pop star – who has faced the dreaded dance off three weeks in a row – has come under fire from some viewers who have pointed to her previous experience as a performer, claiming it gives her an advantage over other contestants.
However, the 58-year-old judge argued: "She’s not a professional ballroom or Latin dancer, and she’s had to learn those ropes like anybody else.
"She has a great ear for music, and when you have a great ear for music, choreographic patterns can be so much easier because you can choreograph to words as well as numbers.
"I would say that’s the part her and [Faye Tozer] do extremely well. But she’s had to learn it, she puts hours and hours in like anyone else."
Shirley was speaking ahead of this weekend’s final, which will see Ashley and Steps star Faye battle it out with Stacey Dooley and Joe Sugg for the chance to claim the Glitterball Trophy.
Experienced dancer Shirley praised the ballroom competition as a whole for its variety, and said every star brings something different to the dance floor.
Appearing on ITV’s ‘Loose Women’, she added: "I think that’s why we have this kind of show. Everybody brings something different to the table … everybody has their journey, and at the end of the day it will be down to the public to pick the winner."
Shirley also opened up about the apology she received from fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood after he claimed that her "fake boobs" were "hanging out" during her ‘Strictly’ audition.
She said: "He was very gracious, very cordial, very gentlemanly.
"He sent me the most beautiful big bouquet of flowers.
"I do believe he’ll be one of my best friends until the day I kick my clogs, he’s wonderful. It was a small slip, and who doesn’t make slips?"
Shirley Ballas defends Ashley Roberts from Strictly critics
