Good Morning Britain presenter Richard Madeley has launched a scathing verbal assault on the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel during an appearance on the BBC's sister show, It Takes Two.
A Furious Defence
Joining host Fleur East on the programme aired on 28th November 2025, Madeley did not hold back in his criticism. He vehemently argued that Balvinder Sopal, the EastEnders actress, has been consistently undervalued throughout the competition.
He stated his position with crystal clarity, telling viewers, "I think Balvinder had been consistently underrated and underserved." Madeley elaborated, pointing out that despite receiving some good scores, he believes she has been "underscored by the judges".
He connected this directly to her repeated appearances in the dreaded dance-off, suggesting the public has also underrated her talent. "I've never understood it," he declared, "I think she's one of the best, I think she's really good."
Praise Tempered with Concern
However, Madeley's robust defence came with a note of caution for the upcoming live show. With Sopal and her professional partner Jules set to perform a Jive, the presenter admitted to having reservations.
While he praised Sopal for being "full of natural warmth and grace and charm" and noted she is "beautiful when she moves around the floor," he voiced his worries about the high-energy dance. "I'm not sure the jive is her thing, so I think she might struggle," he admitted, adding, "I don't think she'll get a 10."
Fan Reaction and the Stakes for Saturday
The television star's passionate comments resonated with many fans on social media, who quickly rallied behind his argument. One supporter posted on X, formerly Twitter: "Also acknowledging that Bal has been underscored, underrated and didn't deserve to be in the DOs. Absolutely all of this."
Another fan agreed with Madeley's assessment of the Jive, writing: "I actually kind of get where Richard is coming from with the Jive regarding Bal if I'm being honest... I think she'll bring the energy tho and absolutely smash it. Go #TeamBalian."
The timing of the debate is critical. According to the latest odds from Betway, Balvinder Sopal is the current favourite to be eliminated, with betting odds of 250/1 placing her as the celebrity in the most jeopardy.
She is not alone in facing difficulty this weekend. Alex Kingston follows with odds of 33/1, while Amber Davies is priced at 20/1 to exit the competition before the semi-final, which is just two weeks away.
In contrast, the contestants considered most stable and likely to reach the final are George Clarke, Karen Carney, and Lewis Cope.
