There was a clash on the Strictly Come Dancing panel on Saturday night, with favourite to win the new series, George Clarke, right at the centre of it
Simon Duke and Angie Quinn Screen Time Reporter
19:53, 11 Oct 2025
George Clarke on Strictly Come Dancing (Image: BBC)
Tensions flared on the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel during Saturday evening’s show (October 11), with series favourite George Clarke finding himself at the heart of the controversy.
Strictly viewers watching from home found themselves equally divided over the scoring of his Couple’s Choice performance, mirroring the judges’ disagreement.
Having topped the betting odds since his contestant announcement and after delivering an impressive debut week alongside professional partner Alexis Warr, he subsequently surpassed competitors, including Lewis Cope and Vicky Pattison, to become the frontrunner heading into his second live appearance.
George and Alexis sat near the summit of the combined leaderboard when weeks one and two scores were totalled, and were eager to capitalise on their encouraging beginning by becoming this year’s inaugural pairing to tackle a Couple’s Choice routine.
George faced criticism dung week three of Strictly Come Dancing (Image: BBC)READ MORE: George Clarke reveals Strictly Come Dancing ‘trick’ that saves dancersREAD MORE: Strictly’s Dianne Buswell hits back as former star says she’s ‘been through the worst’
The duo selected a street dance-influenced performance set to Soda Pop from 2025’s blockbuster film K-Pop Demon Hunters, prompting Shirley Ballas to declare: “That whole number…kids at home will be going wild! We were going wild!”.
Following her effusive praise, Shirley subsequently found herself in disagreement with fellow judge Anton Du Beke, who delivered a considerably more reserved assessment. He declared that George’s performance began ‘too cautiously’, with Shirley swiftly objecting, and guest mentor Cynthia Erivo also overheard whispering: “No”, just beyond camera range.
The disagreement between the panel then intensified when Craig revealed he actually supported Anton’s view, stating that, contrary to Shirley’s opinion, he believed some of the choreography was poorly timed.
Strictly Come Dancing’s George Clarke and Alexis Warr(Image: BBC)
Craig delivered the harshest critique, awarding merely 6 out of 10, whilst Motsi and Anton, despite his reservations, both scored 8, and Shirley proclaimed: “It was great” as she awarded the highest mark with a 9, reports Chronicle Live.
That score faced widespread criticism from home viewers, with one detractor responding: ‘I love George he’s one of my favourites but that was not worth a 9 was Shirley watching something different”, and another writing: “George’s dance was not on the same level as Amber’s, Shirley has lost the plot.”
Another asked: “Why is George getting so much hate… he was set up guys leave him alone #Strictly.”
“Sorry Shirley but George was worse and you didn’t talk about any of that so #Strictly,” added another.