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STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas looked furious as she was heckled during last night's semi final.

The head judge was giving her critique to presenter Helen Skelton's second dance when she was interrupted by an unnamed member of the audience.

Shirley Ballas looked furious after a member of the audience interrupted her critique
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Shirley Ballas looked furious after a member of the audience interrupted her critiqueCredit: BBC
The star was giving her verdict on Helen Skelton's showdance
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The star was giving her verdict on Helen Skelton's showdanceCredit: PA

Although Shirley, 62, was broadly positive about the dance Helen performed with her partner Gorka Marquez, she still wanted to give her critical insight as a former dance choreographer.

She told the former Blue Peter personality: "There was a couple of errors on dismount," before appearing to turn around and glare at a member of the audience.

The former ballroom dancer then seemingly signalled for this aspiring judge to come forward, but the audience member failed to materialise on screen.

She then went on to continue her critique, as she added: "Not so steady on the in and the out, but lovely number, I enjoyed it, to be fair to everybody."

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Although Helen's second routine received her lowest score for the night at 37 points from the judges, she still ranked higher on the leaderboard than singer Molly Rainford and wildlife photographer Hamza Yassin, who went on to win the competition and lift the glitterball trophy.

Shirley acts as the BBC programme's head judge, alongside Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and original Strictly Come Dancing judge, Craig Revel Horwood.

However, this fresh controversy comes as Shirly has been hit with favouritism allegations throughout the series.

Last week, fans even called for the dance personality to be replaced when this series came to an end.

Will Mellor, 46, narrowly missed out on a place in the final after a tense dance-off against Fleur East, which saw head judge Shirley have the deciding vote.

But following the shock results fans rushed online to beg bosses to make Anton, 56, the new head judge.

One angry fan posted: "You were brilliant Will you should have and did deserve to go through. Makes a mockery of the dance off and that dance alone. #Shirley why? #Anton for head judge, he is the honest one #Strictly#willmellor#WillAndNancy."

Another posted: "@bbcstrictly#Strictly It’s time to stop judging bias and get a better head judge to replace @ShirleyBallas Stop judges from voting for their favourites. Only Anton is fair having been at the receiving end of votes himself."

"I totally think it was a fix, Shirley saw the mistake, she had her head in her hands like she didn’t know how she was going to make the decision. It should have been easy. Will danced better in the dance off Anton was right. Why HE isn’t head judge I’ll never know #Strictly," a third viewer raged.

A fourth echoed: "#Strictly Only one fair judge saw the mistake Anton should be head judge step down Shirley you're biased."

Another tweeted: "@bbcstrictly If you emphasise that the outcome of the dance off is only based on that one dance then you cannot say things like the public have spoken and throughout the series. Only Anton mentioned the glaring error. Shocking from a head judge."

Someone else begged: "Please please please replace Shirley Ballas on @bbcstrictly next year, she's so self obsessed and also very patronising. #StrictlyComeDancing"

The remaining Strictly Come Dancing contestants

Shirley has been dogged by favourtism allegations throughout the series
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Shirley has been dogged by favourtism allegations throughout the seriesCredit: PA
Fans have called for the head judge to be replaced by her colleague, Anton Du Beke
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Fans have called for the head judge to be replaced by her colleague, Anton Du BekeCredit: BBC
She sits on the panel alongside original judge Craig Revel Horwood (left) and former professional dancer Anton Du Beke (right)
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She sits on the panel alongside original judge Craig Revel Horwood (left) and former professional dancer Anton Du Beke (right)Credit: PA
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