"A layer of frost" might have developed between Strictly contestant Ellie Taylor and head judge Shirley Ballas, body language expert Judi James says.
Ellie and her partner Johannes Radebe were awarded 23 marks overall from the judges for their Paso Doble to Les Toreadors, a significantly lower mark than the 28 they received last week.
Delivering her verdict exclusively to the Mirror , Judi said Ellie gave a rather frosty head tilt as she said thank you to the judges for their remarks, after receiving critiques from Shirley and Craig Revel Horwood.
While commenting on the footwork, Shirley said Ellie's performance "lacked completely the essence of the Paso Doble", and "I didn't get the Spanish feeling."
Image:
BBC/Guy Levy)Image:
BBC/Guy Levy)Judi said: "Ellie and Johannes got split comments from the judges and it looked clear from Ellie’s body language responses that a layer of frost might just have developed between herself and Shirley Ballas.
"Ellie has a super-revealing face with very mobile expressions. Last week we saw every type of excitement, shock and surprise but tonight her lovely huge smile was switched off like a light when first Craig and then Shirley set about savaging her routine."
Judi went on: "When Craig monstered it, Ellie tried to perform a laugh but it was incongruent-looking grin of pure bravado as there was no sign of a smile in her eyes.
"Johannes performed a lip-clamped, downturned smile, with his head dropped slightly and a very piercing eye expression."
Ellie appeared hurt as Shirley delivered her remarks, Judi said.
She explained: "Shirley’s criticism involved the kind of standing demonstration followed by showboating that Bruno was always known for.
"Ellie’s mouth closed again and she sucked her lips in to suggest hurt emotions.
Image:
BBC)"Her chin projected slightly in a gesture of stoicism and she performed a rather frosty and regal-looking head tilt as she said ‘Thank you’ before walking off up to the balcony.
"Johannes kissed her hand en-route and appeared to be bristling slightly in defence of his beautiful partner."
Judi said Ellie and Johannes have amazing chemistry, and suggested the remarks from Craig and Shirley will motivate them next week.
She said: "Both Johannes and Ellie performed tongue-poke gestures on the balcony to suggest rejection and when Shirley’s vote of 5 came up Ellie’s mouth seemed to clamp in a gesture of firmness.
Image:
BBC)"Ellie looked so shocked to do well last week but if there has been some frost created this week it could possibly add the edge to her routine next week.
Judi finished: "A desire to prove someone wrong can be hugely motivational. Ellie and Johannes have amazing chemistry together and they epitomise elegance.
"Perhaps the spark created by Craig and Shirley might just help put the fire into their future routines, too."