An ITV presenter has claimed that Strictly Come Dancing star Balvinder Sopal has been ‘undermarked’ by the judges.
Richard Madeley appeared on It Takes Two last night, where he launched into a rant about the Strictly Come Dancing judges and their treatment of Balvinder Sopal.
Speaking alongside Fleur East, Richard insisted that the EastEnders actress has been “consistently underrated and underscored” throughout the competition, making his frustration with the panel unmistakable.
In a moment that left viewers doing a double take, Richard said: “I think Balvinder has been consistently underrated and underscored.
“She’s had good scores, but I still think the judges have marked her too low, and she’s clearly been underrated by the viewers as well because she keeps ending up in the dance-off.”
He went on to express his confusion over her frequent appearances in the bottom two, saying: “I think she’s one of the best — I think she’s really good.”
However, his praise came with a warning. With Bal and her professional partner Jules set to perform a Jive on the BBC show, Richard admitted he wasn’t convinced the dance would suit her strengths, reports the Express.
Calling her “full of natural warmth and grace and charm,” he applauded the way she is “beautiful when she moves around the floor.”
Even so, he added: “I’m not sure the jive is her thing, so she may struggle. I don’t think she’ll get a 10.”
Viewers reacted to his passionate comments, with many agreeing with the TV presenter’s viewpoint.
One viewer posted on X: “I actually kind of understand what Richard is saying about the Jive for Bal, to be honest.
Bal is warm and her movements are so lovely — which is the opposite of what you typically need for a jive. But I think she’ll bring the energy and absolutely smash it. Go #TeamBalian.”
Another fan agreed, writing: “Also acknowledging that Bal has been underscored, underrated, and didn’t deserve to be in the dance-offs. Absolutely all of this.”
Strictly: It Takes Two airs weekdays at 6:30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
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