Strictly Come Dancing's head judge, Shirley Ballas, has made a startling admission ahead of the show's quarter-final results, branding the latest dance-off as one of the most brutal she has ever had to adjudicate.
A Brutal Decision for the Judges
Speaking out on Sunday, 7th December 2025, Ballas prepared viewers for a tense results show on BBC One at 7.45pm. The 65-year-old, who has held the head judge role since 2017, took to Instagram to share her feelings about the impending elimination.
"I think it’s one of the hardest dance offs we’ve ever had to judge," Ballas wrote. She emphasised the difficulty of seeing any contestant leave at this stage, noting that "the competition is getting so very close." Her comments have set the stage for what fans who have seen online spoilers are calling one of the biggest shocks in the show's 21-year history.
Leaderboard Tensions and Viewer Power
The drama follows a Musicals Week that left the leaderboard tightly packed. Amber Davies sits at the top after achieving a perfect score of 40 for her performance. However, the public vote has often turned the tables, meaning her position is not secure.
Meanwhile, Lewis Cope, George Clarke, and Balvinder Sopal are all tied in second place with 35 points each. At the other end of the table, former footballer Karen Carney from Birmingham is at the bottom with 34 points, leaving her fate heavily in the hands of the viewers.
Controversy and a Plea for Kindness
The intense scrutiny of the competition has spilled over online, particularly for leaderboard-topper Amber Davies. The Love Island star turned West End performer has faced significant criticism regarding her prior dance experience.
Davies has since addressed the abuse directly, urging the public to "please be kind" and reminding everyone that Strictly is, at its heart, an entertainment show. She revealed that critics have "no idea" what she has been through, especially after joining the competition at the last minute to replace an injured Dani Dyer.
As the quarter-final results loom, the combination of a nail-bitingly close leaderboard, a judge's heartfelt admission of a tough call, and the ever-unpredictable public vote promises an unmissable episode of Strictly Come Dancing.
