Strictly’s Shirley Ballas reveals the real reason Pete Wicks has got so far in the competition after calls for his exit

STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has revealed how Pete Wicks has made it through to this weekend's semi-final.

Towie star Pete, 36, landed at the bottom of the leaderboard last week but managed to escape the dreaded dance-off.

As a result, Pete and professional dance partner Jowita Pryzstal have spent the past five days tirelessly learning an Argentine Tango and a Foxtrot for tomorrow night.

If they can escape elimination again, plucky Pete and Jowita will be through to the final.

Critics have accused the BBC of deliberately plotting to keep Pete and Jowita in the competition by giving them 'less exposing and complex' dances such as last week's Waltz.

But Head Judge Shirley has hit back and told fans exactly why Pete and Jowita will be competing again on the show this weekend.

During an appearance on Strictly's spin off show It Takes Two, host Fleur East asked: "Now despite being bottom of the leaderboard four times, he has avoided the red light. Why do you think that is?"

Shirley replied: "Because, we are there for guidance as the judges.

"When we don't give a mark that the audience like at home, they'll write and tell you.

"But they can save him. They saved him, they thought he was amazing and they keep putting him through.

"He comes with a great energy, he comes with a great quality of performing skills."

Shirley added: "What he's got to do now as he is trying to get into this final is he cannot make any mistakes.

"But again, he's made a few mistakes and the audience has still saved him.

"We believe in the audience at home. We shall guide where we're sending everybody with their marks but, at the end of the day, the audience has the voice."

During It Takes Two, Pete was shown in the rehearsal room with Jowita as they practiced their Foxtrot.

Pete revealed that their performance includes a cane as a prop, which he is finding tricky.

He said: "The Foxtrot is a nice dance.

"We've got a stick from the first second to the last second, so fingers crossed I don't drop that."

Jowita praised Pete for "getting his footworks so right" and said he is enjoying the Foxtrot.

• Strictly Come Dancing, 6.30pm, BBC ONE, Saturday December 7