Strictly insider reveals real reason behind Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood’s recent clash

A Strictly Come Dancing insider has opened the lid on Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood’s apparent behind-the-scene tensions.

The two judges shared a heated exchange during Saturday night’s show, which featured celebrity guest Cynthia Erivo, following George Clarke’s performance.

Shirley praised the YouTube star’s routine as being ‘synchronised to perfection’, adding: ‘You were flying like an angel. It was unbelievable.’

However, before she could continue Craig snapped at her, claiming: ‘I don’t agree with you. I think it was out of sync, a lot actually.’

While Shirley looked visibly shocked, she hit back, saying: ‘From that end of the desk it might look one way but from this end of the desk, it looked bloody fabulous love.’

Now, an insider has told The Sun that the apparent feud between the pair is part of a larger issue concerning ‘power dynamics’.

Last month, a shake-up of the Strictly format saw Shirley no longer be the only judge to have to make a deciding vote in each week’s dance-off.

The head judge, 65, joined the judging panel in 2017 after replacing Len Goodman.

However, in an apparent effort to protect her from online trolls, Strictly bosses decided to rotate the responsibility between the four judges each week.

The insider claimed: ‘The judges are all big characters with large egos so it’s no surprise tension can arise sometimes.

‘Although Shirley is still technically the head judge, losing her power in the dance-off has caused a change in the power dynamic.

‘On Saturday night’s show, Craig wasn’t afraid to call Shirley out – even in front of the celebrity guest judge Cynthia Erivo.

‘It took Shirley aback as he doubled down despite her protests.

‘She’s used to asserting authority over the others but Craig will always say what he really thinks. It made for an awkward watch.’

It is said that Shirley begged for help after receiving abuse in the past over having to decide who goes home, according to The Mirror.

This came after she hired an expert in 2023 to help her deal with the vile abuse she has received in recent years.

Last year, Shirley also hinted that the negative comments had almost made her consider quitting the show, after the trolls sent her thousands of ‘truly awful’ messages about her decisions to send contestants home.

Metro has contacted BBC and Shirley and Craig’s representatives for comment.

Strictly Come Dancing returns this Saturday on BBC One.

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