FORMER Strictly star Jamie Laing has given his opinion on if Shirley Ballas 'undermarks female contestants' on the BBC show.

Over the years Shirley, 63, has been accused of being sexist towards women in the competition.

Just this month the head judge faced a backlash over giving three of the top female celebrity dancers low scores.

However Made In Chelsea star Jamie, 34, who took part in the dance competition back in 2020, doesn't think that she has any favourites whatsoever.

Jamie exclusively told The Sun: "I think that this is a narrative that happens every single year.

"Shirley is super passionate about dance.

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"She loves dance.

"I've spoken to her so many times, it's her life, I just think she's honest with what she sees.

"I think sometimes perhaps people have their opinions, whether it's good, bad, whatever what you do.

"Actually I just think she's not having a favourite whatsoever, she's just saying what she sees, and she loves dance."

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Other Strictly fans have pointed out that they think the judges have been too generous with the scoring this year.

The Candy Kittens founder hit back and has said to give the judges 'a bit of slack'.

Jamie said: "I mean there is always that every year.

"In hindsight is a great thing, you have to remember on TV we see it from different angles. They get it from one single that they are sitting in.

" I think they are doing what they normally do, they're seeing what they see, it's an entertainment show at the end of the day!

"They've got to have fun with it, it's not the world championships, it's people who don't know how to dance who are learning to dance.

"We've got to give them a bit of slack!

Since shooting to fame on E4's Made In Chelsea in 2011, Jamie has been on a number of reality shows including Strictly and The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off.

The star's podcast Private Parts, as well as his podcast with his wife Sophie Habboo, 30 – NewlyWeds – have also kept him busy.

Not only that, Jamie is the founder of vegan friendly confectionery company Candy Kittens.

According to figures from Candy Kittens, a whopping 35 per cent of Brits feel disgusted to find that gelatine includes things like animal skin, bones and cartilage.

After being told he was too hyper as a kid to eat sweets, Jamie told us that his dream was to make candy with "no nasties in them whatsoever".

So back in 2012 Candy Kittens was created – which are now 100 per cent plant powered and carbon neutral.

Jamie said: "With our screens when you walk down a confectionery aisle, it's not like walking down a meat isle, where you know it's burgers, sausages and then you've got your vegan options…

"You look at these packets of sweets and they have meat in them – and you don't know!

"Why would you not pick the sweets that don't have animals in them.

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"It's better and better ingredients and better for the planet."

•  Jamie Laing has been camouflaged into a new billboard unveiled by vegan sweet brand Candy Kittens as part of its No Nasties, All Good campaign, highlighting the hidden meat found in the UK’s most popular sweets and snacks. 

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