Black Country ballroom star wants Strictly judge role
A Black Country ballroom star has slammed the BBC's choice of judges on Strictly Come Dancing - and said he would happily step up to the challenge free of charge.
Warren Bullock, who runs Zig Zag Dance Factory in Wolverhampton, claims the 'balance of knowledgeable judging' urgently needs addressing on the popular dance talent show.
He said, if BBC producers were open to the idea, he would happily volunteer to give advice to the celebs on a Saturday night.
Warren's comments came after former Blue popstar Lee Ryan was booted off the contest in Sunday's dance-off along with his professional dance partner Nadia Bitchkova.
Three out of the four judges voted for Lee to leave, with only head judge Shirley Ballas voting for him to stay over fellow dancer and TV star Charles Venn, who was also in the dance off.
Dance teacher Warren, who is also the creator of Channel 5's Baby Ballroom television programme, said: "After watching Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, I’ve thought about the judges on the new series of Dancing On Ice that is soon to start.
"Would it be ok to have Jayne Torville, an ice dance champion, a top ice hockey goal keeper, a member of the Olympic Curling squad, and a member of the Toboggan team as the judges for this years series?
"After all, they all do something on ice so surely that would qualify them to judge ice dance? I’m being sarcastic of course.
"Because this is the situation we have on Strictly - one highly qualified Latin and ballroom judge [Shirley Ballas], one ballet dancer [Dame Darcey Bussell], one theatre choreographer [Craig Revel Horwood], and a former backing dancer from Bananarama 80’s pop group [Bruno Tonioli].
"None of the last three judges have any ballroom or Latin American competing experience or in depth knowledge.
"They would not be able to even tell you the timing or footwork for any of the basic technique book figures. For me it’s fine to have one judge from an alternative background but on Strictly we have three out of the four which resulted in all three voting off the superior dancer this week while saving the couple who were off time and lacking any kind of technique fooling the judges with lifts and showdance.
"The balance of knowledgable judging needs urgently addressing on this show.
"Poor Shirley was left as the sole voice of reason but was outvoted by the three judges from alternative genres. A ballroom-based judge to compliment Shirley's Latin speciality and a 10 dance judge would be most suitable to make the show fair leaving Bruno or Craig as the judge from a theatre/stage background. Surely this is a no brainer?
"I’d be happy to do it for no fee to help bring some sanity to what is otherwise a fantastic show.
"I feel gutted for Nadia Bitchkova and Lee who were only supported by Shirley."
ZigZag dance school runs classes all over the Black Country; in Wolverhampton, Sedgeley, Stourbridge and Wombourne.
Visit zigzagdance.co.uk for more.
