Shirley Ballas makes huge gaffe to Paralympian Jonnie Peacock on Strictly Come Dancing

SHIRLEY Ballas made a huge gaffe on tonight's Strictly Come Dancing while talking to Paralympian Jonnie Peacock.

The sportsman had just completed a quickstep with partner Oti Mabuse wearing one of his blades designed especially for the dancing competition.

But as Shirley started to give her critique of his performance, she said: "You bring a whole new meaning to putting a spring in your step.

"It was light, it was bright..."

Laughing, Jonnie interrupted, saying: "Excuse the pun."

But Shirley clearly didn't realise what she had said, as she stopped and looked stunned, asking: "What?"

Jonnie then repeated himself as the studio audience started to laugh, as did Shirley's fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell.

Shirley covered her mouth bemused as the audience continued laugh, then Darcey gave her a touch on the shoulder.

As Shirley tried to figure out what was going on, Jonnie and Oti continued to laugh and he said: "It's good, it's good."

Shirley then turned to Darcey and said: "OK, I've said something wrong again you know what I mean."

She then carried on with her critique.

Twitter couldn't believe what had happened, with one fan writing: "Shirley!! #isitok to talk about Jonnie having a spring in his step. Talk about putting your foot in it. Her face after lol".

Another wrote: "Shirley, not thinking to the man wearing a blade - you put a new meaning to putting a spring in your step... Jonnie took it well."

A third agreed, writing: "Did Shirley put her foot in it! No they are supah doopah couple and she knows it."

Others were mortified for the judge, with one viewer writing: "Can't believe Shirley said Jonnie had a spring in his step" alongside a gif which said 'Oh no you didn't'.

Another tweeted: "Shirley must have wanted the world to swallow her up #nopunintended".

Viewers were indeed cringing at the exchange, even though Jonnie clearly thought it was funny.

One wrote: "Oh dear Shirley, that was awkward" while another tweeted: "Can't believe what Shirley just said #tactless".

Others knew Shirley hadn't meant anything by her comments.

One fan wrote: "Oh people, cut Shirley some slack, it's a turn of phrase. Jonnie was kidding with her about it, not upset."