Tense Strictly moments – Shirley Ballas sexism, rivalries, fiery on-air rows

Over the years, Strictly Come Dancing has delivered in providing TV audiences with Saturday night entertainment and some truly unforgettable performances and moments.

First airing in 2004, the epic BBC competition seemed like a show like no other, with its jaw-dropping spectacles, impeccable wardrobes and witnessing a whole host of celebs – good or bad – take to the dance floor.

Viewers can sometimes even forget that the show is a competition, and outside of its glitz and glam, there's no doubt unexpected rivalries, behind-the-scenes chaos, and ongoing feuds have led to some very intense moments.

READ MORE: Strictly curse babies – Rachel Riley's sweet arrival, health woes and pregnancy rumours

Daily Star digs deep and takes a look at some of Strictly's most notorious bust-ups and vendettas over the show's 20 series.

Shirley Ballas sexism row

Strictly's head judge Shirley Ballas has hit back at allegations of sexism after saying she would have saved Richie Anderson over Fleur East in this years Strictly.

The judge was hit with a wave of anger from fans over some of her comments about the female celebs, particularly of Ellie Taylor.

Even pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin called out Shirley for her remarks, and some viewers even demanded Shirley be sacked.

Taking to Twitter, She explained that while the nasty comments made her "resilient", a "wall goes up".

Shirley insisted that she "doesn't have a mean bone in [her] body" and that her comments come from 45 years of experience in the tough dancing world."

Gorka Marquez v Kevin Clifton

Gorka was fuming when he wasn’t given a celebrity partner in 2019 after winning with Katie Piper the year before.

So, when footballer Alex Scott’s professional partner, Neil Jones, was injured in training, he was even madder when he wasn’t chosen to replace him.

Instead, Strictly bosses opted for 2018 winner Kevin Clifton, who had been left without a partner when Anneka Rice was voted off a few weeks earlier.

Gorka made no secret of his feelings by retweeting a series of angry fan messages, including one that read, “Gorka deserved it not Kevin, who already had a partner this year.”

“Should have been Gorks not King Kev,” read another.

James Jordan and Craig Revel Horwood bump heads

Things got particularly nasty when judge Craig took offence at James’ wife Ola’s raunchy Christmas calendar, commenting that images of the Strictly star “pouring milk all over herself with her legs spread” might not be the right look.

James branded him "vile", fuming, "How can he say it’s not ok to sell a sexy Christmas calendar, but it is ok to sell his own book telling the world he was a drunken rent boy, and call it All Balls and Glitter."

In return, Craig accused his rival of trying to stir up headlines and even led to James requesting for Craig to be sacked from the show.

Will Young quits

Singer Will decided to pull the plug on the show and quit halfway through the 2016 series.

It came straight off the back of judge Len Goodman's comments, who told him to "turn up, keep up and shut up" in a heated row.

Will mysteriously exited the show for "personal reasons" and distanced himself from Strictly partner Karen Clifton.

She confessed: "I haven't really been in touch with Will since the show.

"I think everybody understands his reasons, and we all understand, but it's hard when there's the other half.

"It's my job, and I love it, and it was really hard for me to stay behind and see everybody have an amazing series and not be a part of it."

Fern Britton and Artem drama

Former This Morning host Fern hit out at her dance partner Artem claiming he would “shove’ her in rehearsal and that they argued constantly.

She alleged that during her 2012 stint, the Russian professional once told her, “Go home before I kill you.”

“He was like, ‘Shut your face. Go home before I kill you,’” said Fern.

“I would say, ‘Oh please, just kill me. It would be easier’. Or what was his other one? ‘If you go for a cup of tea now, I will blow off like an atomic bomb.’ I thought, well, I won’t correct him on that one,” joked the former This Morning presenter.

Artem denied the allegations saying in a statement: “I believe I treated Fern with respect and genuine care, and these claims about me are the opposite of everything I believe in and the person I am.”

Danny John-Jules and Amy Dowden showdown

Danny John-Jules was accused of bullying his dance partner Amy Dowden, leaving the professional dancer in tears.

The Red Dwarf actor allegedly told Amy: “I’m the star, not you!” before storming out and leaving her in tears.

His partner Petula Langlais also hit out at the show on Twitter, claiming they “threw Danny under that bus” and asked: “Why are you trying to destroy him.”

Danny denied suggestions he made Amy cry, claiming that the rumours were part of a “vendetta” and accused the BBC of bullying him.

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