Strictly Come Dancing: 'It could do with more acting skills!' Shirley Ballas appears to take a cheeky swipe at actress Gemma Atkinson's abilities... before she plummets to bottom of leader board

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Shirley Ballas seemingly made a thinly veiled dig at the Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson's acting skills when she opened Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night.

The head judge claimed the Emmerdale actress needed '20% more in the acting skills' department when she danced the Quickstep with Aljaž Škorjanec, 27, to Hello Dolly! from Hello Dolly! - shortly before Gemma plummeted to the bottom of the leader board. 

Meanwhile, Mollie King, 30, and her partner AJ Pritchard, 23, got close once again during their Rumba to Hopelessly Devoted To You from Grease, despite insisting they are not a couple.

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Strictly Come Dancing: 'It could do with more acting skills!' Shirley Ballas appears to take a cheeky swipe at actress Gemma Atkinson's abilities... as Mollie and AJ get up close AGAIN

Now the Glitter Ball trophy is well and truly in sight after the six Strictly Come Dancing star couples danced for Musicals-themed week for The Quarter Finals.

Despite Gemma opening the show with confidence, the head judge seemingly took a cheeky swipe at the star's 'acting abilities'.

'It could have had a more of 20% more in the acting skills. It just needed that 20%,' Shirley commented.

Tess, however, brazenly piped up in defence of the dancing contestant: 'She is an actress!'

Could it be love? Mollie King, 30, and her partner AJ Pritchard, 23, got close once again during their Rumba to Hopelessly Devoted To You from Grease, despite insisting they are not a couple

Brutal: Meanwhile, the head judge claimed the Emmerdale actress needed '20% more in the acting skills' department when she danced the Quickstep with Aljaž Škorjanec, 27, to Hello Dolly! from Hello Dolly!

Darcey Bussell also countered the head judge's comments as she revealed she enjoyed the character Gemma brought to the dance floor.

Showing off his famously cheeky side, Bruno Toniolio also added: 'I love the Broadway diva entrance! Back off boys, here comes Gemma!' 

The British actress looked every inch the Hollywood movie star when she sauntered down the steps for her dramatic entrance in her lace-up pink sequinned dress for her musical number. 

'It could do with more acting skills': Despite Gemma opening the show with confidence, the head judge seemingly took a cheeky swipe at the star's 'acting abilities'

Blonde bombshell Gemma glided across the dance floor with grace as she attempted to channel her 'inner swan'. 

But quick to steal the spotlight were former The Saturdays' singer Mollie and AJ who ignited romance rumours once again when they danced the Rumba to Hopelessly Devoted To You from Grease.

Despite insisting they are not a couple, they have been at the centre of romance speculation since they were partnered up on the show.

Inseparable: Former The Saturdays' singer Mollie and AJ then danced the Rumba to Hopelessly Devoted To You from Grease

Following their near-miss kiss last week and what appeared to be a kiss during their Rumba, Tess didn't miss the opportunity to tease AJ at the end of the dance. 

'Did you kiss her on the lips?' She teased. While Bruno noted of their performance, 'I could feel the fireworks myself.'

Adding fuel to the fire, Mollie gifted AJ a scrapbook of their time together on the dancing show in sweet scenes. 

Is it all it seems? Despite insisting they are not a couple, they have been at the centre of speculation since they were partnered up on the show

Having previously commented on their 'unbelievable chemistry', it was no surprise Shirley had plenty to say on their sizzling romance

The scrap book featured photographs of their intimate dances together and captured the very essence of their deep bond they have forged on the show. 

Having previously commented on their 'unbelievable chemistry', it was no surprise Shirley had plenty to say on their sizzling dance.

Shirley commented: 'You really embraced Sandy and Danny. I believed your love story. You did throw in a lift there.' 

Magical: The dancing duo were every inch the characters of Grease's Danny and Sandy, made famous by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the iconic 1978 flick

Wow: Shirley said of the dance: 'You really embraced Sandy and Danny. I believed your love story. You did throw in a lift there'

As they headed up the stairs to await their results, AJ affectionately gushed in Mollie's ear: 'I'm so proud of you. You did amazing.' 

The dancing duo were every inch the characters of Grease's Danny and Sandy, made famous by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the iconic 1978 flick. 

For their 'believable love story', the dancing pair scored 31 which put them third on the leader board. 

Cosy: Adding fuel to the fire of their rumoured romance, Mollie gifted AJ a scrapbook of their time together on the dancing show in sweet scenes ahead of the dance

Super cute: The scrap book featured photographs of their intimate dances together and captured the very essence of their deep bond they have forged on the show

Next up was television sensation Debbie McGee, 59, and Giovanni Pernice, 27, who wowed judges with their American Smooth to Memory from Cats.

They scored an impressive 39, making them joint top of the leader board for week 11 with Alexandra Burke and her partner Gorka.

Despite having a difficult week with her back problems, the magician's widow put on a show-stopping performance.

Purr-fect: Next up was television sensation Debbie McGee, 59, and Giovanni Pernice, 27, who wowed judges with their American Smooth to Memory from Cats

Admitting she pushes herself too much sometimes, Debbie confessed: 'I keep thinking I'm 20.' 

Shirley was brought to her feet with awe while Craig was left with no words as the professional just purred when given the opportunity to speak.

Elsewhere, EastEnders star Davood Ghadami, 35, was the first man to tackle the Argentine Tango in this series of Strictly.

Impressive: They scored an impressive 39, making them joint top of the leader board for Musicals week, the 11th week in the competition

Wow: Shirley was brought to her feet with awe yet Craig was left with no words following their purr-fect dance as the professional just purred when given the opportunity to speak

The chilling yet dramatic atmosphere was fantastic when he took to the floor with Nadiya Bychkova, 28, to perform The Phantom Of The Opera title song.

Despite pulling out all the stops on the drama, Davood suffered from a few balance issues and as a result the couple scored 29 points.

Unfortunately it left them at the bottom of the leader board with Gemma and Aljaz. 

Singer Alexandra, 29, and Gorka Márquez, 27, bounced back topping the leader board once again after a shock dance-off last week.

Drama! Elsewhere, EastEnders star Davood Ghadami, 35, was the first man to tackle the Argentine Tango in this series of Strictly Come Dancing

Unfortunate: Despite pulling out all the stops on the drama, Davood suffered from a few balance issues and as a result the couple scored 29 points

They wowed judges with their enchanting Charleston to Supercalifragilistic from Mary Poppins.

Craig made a cheeky swipe at Gorka when he complimented Alexandra's smooth moves, saying: 'Yes you had better swivel than Gorka in that dance.'

Darcey agreed it was difficult to tell who was the professional dancer was out of the beaming duo.

Beaming beauty! Singer Alexandra Burke, 29, and Gorka Márquez, 27, bounced back topping the leader board once again after a shock dance-off last week

It's Supercalifragilistic! They wowed judges with their enchanting Charleston to the iconic track from Mary Poppins

The songstress was delighted to be back on the top of her game with her near perfect score after being in the bottom two last week. 

Elsewhere Holby City hunk Joe McFadden, 42, and Katya Jones, 28, danced the Samba to Money Money from Cabaret.

The couple charmed judges with their performance and scored an impressive 37 points for their efforts.

Fabulous fun: The songstress was delighted to be back on the top of her game with her near perfect score after being in the bottom two last week

Last week, comedian Susan Calman, 43, and Kevin Clifton made an emotional exit as the ninth couple to leave on Sunday. 

Kicking off Saturday's live show, the Strictly contestants confidently took to the ballroom donning Victorian costume with show-stopping style.

They all performed a group rendition to a mash-up of songs from Oliver! The Musical including tracks Food Glorious Food and Consider Yourself.

Flashing it! Elsewhere Holby City hunk Joe McFadden, 42, and Katya Jones, 28, danced the Samba to Money Money from Cabaret

Praise: The couple charmed judges with their performance and scored an impressive 37 points for their efforts