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Strictly Come Dancing fans were left scratching their heads after an unexpected comment from Shirley Ballas. After watching Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer Rumba in a spectacular performance, Shirley gave her verdict on the pair, but added some odd quips in the process.

She told Karen: "Well, first of all, congratulations, Karen, because you also didn't stand there like a bump on a log; you were moving from foot to foot. You had choreography that was actually very challenging. I found your cucaracha to be very flexible. But I'm going to have to agree with the young man on the end, it's the fluidity from foot to foot that is your next project. You have to seamlessly flow from foot to foot in all dancers."

She did go on to praise their chemistry and the storyline, prompting Karen to smile awkwardly, but viewers were focused on her first comment.

One user shared the comment in a Facebook group asking if anyone else had picked up on the comment about Karen not standing there like a "bump on a log", as they asked: "What's that about?"

One user responded: "I thought it was weird too." While another said: "Just another person she has taken a dislike to," prompting someone else to claim that they don't believe Shirley is a fan of the female dancers." Another added: "Don't think Shirley likes Karen."

However, another said that she thought Shirley was being genuine and was simply congratulating Karen for not having Harry just stand there while she danced around him. Prompting one user to follow up: "That's what I hoped she meant, but when you replay the moment she definitely said, 'Karen, I want to compliment you for not standing there like a bump on a log.'"

It comes after Shirley faced further backlash after her brutal score of two points for drag star La Voix, claiming she "can't judge" the routine at all.

The decision sparked fury online, with fans accusing Shirley of being "mean", "biased" and "toxic". Awful comments emerged from the judging panel, with users writing on X: "I know that wasn't a great dance from La Voix, but the collective gasp in our house when Shirley only gave a two!" Another thundered: "The way I gasped seeing Shirley give La Voix a two. Unheard of."

Elsewhere in the show, Shirley praised contestant Alex so loudly that she even got up on stage to join her as she celebrated her incredible performance in a "show first".

Strictly continues tonight on BBC One.