BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas issues major update over Wynne Evans and Katya Jones 'grope' row

BBC Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has waded into the row between Wynne Evans and Katya Jones after the GoCompare star and Russian pro dancer's "hand" and "groping" scandal erupted on last week's live show.

Shirley, who is head judge on the BBC show and one of the four judges used by the programme, spoke out over Wynne and Katya's dynamic after they shrugged off the furore and returned to the programme this weekend, where they sailed through.

At the Pride Of Britain Awards, Shirley spoke to PA news agency, saying: "I've had the privilege of getting to know Wynne, I've known Katya for 25 years, she is a little bit of a jokester all round that lovely child, and he is just the most phenomenal person you will ever meet."

READ MORE State pensioners who lose Winter Fuel Allowance will get free £175 'safety net' payment

She continued: "I think the cast is off the chart, when you go in on a Saturday morning it's so full of atmosphere and love and jokes". She said: "Those comic people like Chris McCausland, you better see what's lurking around the corners, because he's so funny."

Shirley - who is one of four judges used by Strictly Come Dancing, alongside Moti Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and also Anton du Beke - went on to say:: "And he brings light to everything he does, and of course, Pete (Wicks) is also very funny."

"So we've got a great cast and they all seem to have blended really, really well, there's a great feeling backstage," Shirley added. Strictly returned in September this year for its 20th anniversary with a new cast of celebrities and some changes, including the presence of chaperones during rehearsals.

It followed a review launched by the corporation after the Sherlock actor Amanda Abbington made complaints about her 2023 Strictly professional dance partner, Giovanni Pernice.