New head judge Shirley Ballas gets a 10 from Strictly Come Dancing fans

We have to hand it to the Strictly Come Dancing bosses: they knew what they were doing when they brought in Shirley Ballas to replace Len Goodman as judge. It was an inspired choice.

Shirley got her paddles out for the first time on Saturday’s live show – and the public finally had a chance to see her in action. What we saw was a judge who was excellent at encouragement and constructive in her criticism, getting over those launch show nerves and bonding with Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell.

In a poll of more than 250 RadioTimes.com readers, 88% declared Shirley “FAB-U-LOUS darling” while just 12 percent said she was “not their cup of tea”.

Of course, even with all the press coverage of Len Goodman’s goodbye and the arrival of Shirley Ballas, perhaps not everyone got the memo before they turned on their TV…

Len goodman is looking different this series #Strictly

— Dave (@thedavelock) September 23, 2017

But once viewers had adjusted to Shirley Ballas not being a 73-year-old bald man with a toothy grin, she was a hit.

I am loving Shirley. Are we loving Shirley? #strictly

— Sarah Millican (@SarahMillican75) September 23, 2017

It's official. Shirley Ballas is a wonderful judge #Strictly

— Amanda (@gigglykipper) September 23, 2017

Having promised to put the “strict” into Strictly and said she’ll be “tougher” than Len, there was a danger she’d go overboard with harsh comments. But in fact, she did nothing of the sort.

Instead she provided solid, constructive criticism without getting mean.

#Strictly @ShirleyBallas is AMAZING as head judge, fair, points out what the celebs need technically & in an encouraging way.

— Rana (@RanaOFarah) September 23, 2017

Loving Shirley Ballas! Finally a judge that actually speaks sense and is constructive #Strictly

— Elizabeth Cox (@LizAnnCox) September 23, 2017

Also very impressed with Shirley Ballas, she knows exactly what she's doing and is incredibly constructive #Strictly2017

— Always Quarantined and Somewhat Slightly Rebranded (@Oh_My_Croft) September 23, 2017

Shirley Ballas has added the most credibility to the judging panel in years, simply with 'What I'd like you to work on is…' #Strictly

— Rob Ellis (@robdavidellis) September 23, 2017

Constructive criticism from the legend @ShirleyBallas she's going to be a great judge! ????????

— Ian Waite (@ianwaite) September 23, 2017

Len Goodman was missed, of course…

Really missing Len Goodman from @bbcstrictly not the same without him ???? #Strictly

— Kate Mackay F1 (@katemackay55) September 23, 2017

What are you thinking about new head judge Shirley Ballas? I like her. But I do miss Len. SeVERRRRRRN!#strictly

— Frances Finn (@FrancesFinnShow) September 23, 2017

But at the end of the day? Thumbs up from the Great British Viewing Public.

Was worried about #Strictly2017 without lovely Len Goodman, but Shirley Ballas is a wonderful #HeadJudge.

— Monica Winfield (@MonniWinni) September 23, 2017

And it seems Shirley herself had a ball in the ballroom…

Had a great time with the Amazing Darcy. Thank you x https://t.co/2Uh2wu8qRB

— Shirley Ballas (@ShirleyBallas) September 23, 2017

Thanks so much for the amazing support ahead of the first show. So much fun! ♥️ to @DarceyOfficial @BrunoTonioli @CraigRevHorwood #Strictly pic.twitter.com/lw6GsKmIl6

— Shirley Ballas (@ShirleyBallas) September 23, 2017

Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 30th September at 6.45pm on BBC1