Strictly Come Dancing fans have jumped to the defence of actress Lacey Turner following the feedback she received during Icons Week.
Taking to the dancefloor alongside partner Vito Coppola, the EastEnders star channeled her inner Adele as the pair danced an American Smooth to the ballad Hometown Glory.
Ms Turner, who’s visibly and admittedly been rather apprehensive about the routines she’s faced so far, pulled off the American Smooth without any hiccups.
And that was reflected in her score. Ms Turner bagged 29 for her routine, landing her joint-fourth on the night’s leaderboard, tied with John Nellis and Tabby Stoecker.
However, while Mr Nellis and Ms Stoecker received plaudits after plaudits, the likes of Anton Du Beke, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Craig Revel Horwood opted for a more critical approach with Ms Turner.
“I love the highlights and tricks there; they’re very, very difficult. And we’re in Week Four, and they’re what we expect to see in the final, so anything where you were being lifted was absolutely extraordinary,” Ms Ballas began as she delivered her verdict.
The applause that resulted from the audience was short-lived. Ms Ballas went on: “I think it’s just a postural thing generally for everybody, but if you take a piece of string and lengthen it all the way out and lengthen you a little bit, it does look a bit like you’re hanging on him.
“I mean, he’s got a great frame, he shifts across the floor, but I’d like you to be a little bit lighter. You don’t have to dance on your own, but just lift yourself a little bit more for me.”
The constructive criticism didn’t end there: “And some details, I want some extra details now as we move into Week Five. I want to know where the ends of the hands are, where the arms, elbows, wrists, and hands (are).
“I want to know where the shape is, where the music is in the upper half of the body as well as the lower half,” Ms Ballas added before signing off on a lighter note: “But those lifts were so impressive, so well done.”
Mr Du Beke was next, who admitted to “enjoying” the routine, but encouraged Ms Turner “to focus on taking larger steps” for her next dance.
“You’ve got a super amount of talent, and we’re getting to see some lovely dancing from you,” he said.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Craig Revel Horwood reveals Sleeping Beauty panto has scrapped iconic kiss as part of woke overhaulPaul Whitehouse mugged in terrifying attack on London street as wife issues statement about ordeal‘Woke’ BBC bosses wanted ‘killed’ and ‘murdered’ AXED from The Traitors over fears it would offend
“I do agree with Anton,” Mr Revel Horwood then chimed in. “I had an issue with your free arm. I kept watching it.”
As the audience booed, Ms Ballas decided to peek above the parapet to defend her fellow judge. “No, he’s right! He’s right,” Ms Ballas, rather surprisingly, intervened.
Mr Revel Horwood’s assessment went on: “It lacked direction, and it lacked intent, and you have to tell the story all the way through from the shoulder to the elbow to the wrist to the end of the fingers; it’s really, really important.
“I feel like you forgot about that and were thinking about going into the next step, so just remember that for the future. But you have flow, you have connection… and I think you’re a really strong partnership.”
By the time Ms Mabuse delivered her thoughts, she could only agree with her fellow judges, but encouraged Ms Turner to “create an alter ego when you get on the dancefloor” in order to overcome her nerves.
As a downbeat-looking Ms Turner made her way upstairs, fans rushed to social media to condemn the judges for being, what they deemed, “overly harsh” on the actress.
And Ms Ballas’s decision to intervene and defend Mr Revel Horwood sparked particular ire with a number of the fandom.
“They’re so harsh with Lacey, it’s honestly becoming a pattern now, especially with Shirley #Strictly,” one X user fumed.
A second agreed: “I don’t understand why they’re so harsh on Lacey? She’s one of the best ones! Shirley definitely has her favourites too! #strictly,”
Elsewhere, a third hit out: “I’m sorry, is it just me or are the judges being really harsh and overly critical to the women tonight in comparison to the men?! Especially Shirley… #Strictly.”
“Shirley holding Lacey to a higher standard #strictly,” a fourth commented, while a fifth typed: “Alright Shirley, talk about killing Lacey’s spirit #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing #SCD.”
And a sixth remarked: “Damn, that was harsh! Even Shirley shouting ‘he’s right, he’s right’ to the audience while Craig was judging. When has she ever done that? Oh, forgot, Lacey’s a female! Lacey, you’re a winner! #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”
Another felt sympathy for the actress: “Aw they’re being quite harsh with Lacey because they think she has a lot of potential but I’m not sure it’s that helpful to her. It’s still fairly early #strictly.” (sic)
However, there were some fans of the show who agreed with the criticism levelled at Ms Turner’s way.
“Lacey, dear dear Lacey, you’re dancing with one of the best male professionals…let yourself go. Embrace it…..Be more Stacey! #Strictly,” one fan suggested, while a second agreed: “I do feel Lacey is holding back a lot #Strictly.”
Heading into Sunday’s results show, it’s Dame Sarah Storey who faces an uphill battle to remain in the contest. The Paralympian ended the night at the foot of the leaderboard on 21 points.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
