BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas surprises Motsi with kiss on lips

The head judge grabbed her fellow panelist as she gave advice to Tom Dean and partner Nadiya Bychkova

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas left audiences momentarily astounded with a spontaneous peck on fellow judge Motsi Mabuse's lips during Saturday night's live show. In an unexpected twist, Ballas, known for her role as the no-nonsense head of the panel, made headlines with her affectionate gesture while providing critique to Olympic champion Tom Dean and dance partner Nadiya Bychkova.

It was all about body language, according to Ballas, 63, when she beckoned Mabuse to demonstrate the proper posture for a tango, announcing to the swimmer, "It's all in the posture." The moment unfolded with Ballas guiding Mabuse's hands, while Anton Du Beke, their co-judge, could be heard cheering them on with an enthusiastic "go on girls".

Caught up in the fervour, Ballas unexpectedly gave Mabuse a quick kiss on the mouth, much to the latter's surprise, evident from her wide-eyed reaction. Social media was abuzz following the exchange, with one Strictly fan commenting on Twitter: "Motsi and Shirley kissing live on Strictly to give us the same sex representation we're missing this series lmao [laughing my a** off]."

Read more Strictly Come Dancing fans spot 'kiss' between couple as they say 'several times'

Adding a humorous spin, another viewer expressed amazement at the scene, writing: "Omg the lesbian Motsi and Shirley. I'm shaking at all this gayness."

It comes after Shirley revealed her unique way of getting ready for the show. The 64 year old posted a video on Instagram of herself plunging into an ice bath, wearing a bright yellow swimsuit.

Shirley, who has openly discussed her lifelong struggle with weight and how she lost 9lb in a week through a bootcamp-style routine, revealed that she eats chicken with lemon every day in a bid to stay health. Speaking on the Comfort Eating podcast with Grace Dent last year, Shirley admitted to avoiding the food backstage at Strictly, describing it as "calorie food".

She said: "I like to walk around the table because they have lots of yummy cakes, sweets and biscuits, and they have all sorts of fantastic food, but it definitely is calorie food, because the dancers are dancing all day and are young with fabulous bodies. Nope, I get my chicken from Marks and Spencer or Sainsbury's that has been cooked. They bring me a lot of salad and we might have a little bit of sushi in the afternoon."