Katya Jones and her Strictly Come Dancing partner, actor Lewis Cope, have received high praise for their two performances as viewers remain impressed with their start to the series. However, the judges, particularly Shirly Ballas, have been accused of being overly critical of the pair.
Last week, BBC viewers blasted Ms Ballas, claiming she has “a grudge” against Ms Jones, a view which has become a running accusation of the last few series. Following more criticism in the latest episode, Ms Jones issued a candid response on spin-off show, It Takes Two.
On Saturday, the couple received a respectable score of 27 for their Jive, but Ms Ballas' feedback was full of complaints.
Following on from other judges' remarks about the couple's powerful talent together, Ms Ballas stated: "I get your power, I love everything about your power, I think you're destined for greatness in this competition but for me, I don't see the crash, bang, wallop that everybody else sees."
BBC Strictly: Katya Jones responded to the judges' criticism
|BBC
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The 65-year-old also noted the "melody" of the dance was "refined and soft," before labelling the overall routine as "aggressive."
She also directed a lot of critique as Ms Jones herself rather than celebrity Mr Cope, stating: "I'm not saying it has to be perfect when you create a line, you can have the most ugly line and it can still look beautiful.
“So for you [Katya] when he [Anton Du Beke] talks about refinement, that's what he means."
During an appearance on It Takes Two on Monday, Ms Jones and Mr Cope were asked by host Janette Manrara about their thoughts on the judges' comments.
BBC Strictly: Shirley Ballas has been accused of having a 'grudge' against Katya Jones
|BBC
“I've been thinking about this a lot. There are two sides to it,” Ms Jones replied.
"On one side, as a pro, I'd would really have loved for the judges to vocalise their appreciation for what you [Lewis] did do, for all the steps you spent hours and hours learning.
"They were there, every single Viennese Waltz step, including the freckle that he did on his own, all the pivots, all of it."
She continued: "On the other side, dancing is an art form, it's an expression. We put on this number together the way we felt was right for us.
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"In any art, there are opinions from people that don't connect with it, that like it or don't like it.
"We are here to create what feels right and share it. We let the judges have their say, we are still learning."
The choreographer went on to add pointedly: "It's week two."
Responding to accusations that the dance was too "jam-packed," Ms Jones went on: "We never compromised on dancing, and I feel that's really important."
BBC Strictly: Katya Jones responded to the complaints on Monday's It Takes Two
|BBC
Elsewhere on the Strictly chat show, week one eliminations Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden also joined Ms Manrara to discuss their exit.
Paying tribute to the former The Apprentice star, Ms Dowden enthused: "I am so impressed.
BBC Strictly: Eliminated pair Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden also shared their thoughts on It Takes Two
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"An absolute beginner, you know, in terms of the entertainment world - he's not an actor or a performer.
"So you know, the performances you pulled out both Saturdays, I was so proud."
Continuing, Ms Dowden beamed: "I also saw the development from day one learning it to getting it on the dancefloor, but you know what? Also, we had so much fun.