Andy and Jamie rally round Judy to serve up some support

Tennis ace Andy Murray has rallied to his mum’s defence after she was criticised for her wooden dancing on Strictly.

Judy, 55, has been struggling to dazzle on the prime time BBC1 show. But last night she revealed Wimbledon ace son Andy, 27, had told her not to be disheartened and that she would always be his number one.

His words of encouragement followed a tennis-themed cha cha cha last week, which had judge Bruno Tonioli, 58, blasting the routine as “more court 18 than centre court”.

Judy who is partnered with Anton Du Beke said: “Andy said despite the comment I’d always be centre court for him, which was lovely.”

Andy has been monitoring his mum’s progress despite being in the Far East for the Shanghai Masters.

“Because he’s been seven hours’ ahead in Asia, by the time I wake up on Sunday morning he’s been on about the scores and comments,” Judy added. “When Andy’s interested in something he really reads up.

“The boys are so competitive Andy even asked if Anton was pushing me hard enough. But Jamie said not to worry about the marks as it was important not to peak too early!”

Judy revealed that fresh tennis commitments could scupper her chance of having her sons join her in the studio.

“It totally depends on how I get on and how long I stay. Andy has taken a wild card now to a tournament in Vienna next week that wasn’t on his schedule. He was hoping to have a week off.

“I’ve got to up my game and I’d love them to come although they might put me off more than I’m put off already.”

Judy says Andy’s comments have been more about how she looks than her dancing. And while she has had a few brickbats flying her way over her stiff performances, she says she’s determined not to be put off.

“I came on Strictly to learn to dance and have a lot of fun and absolutely nothing will spoil that fun. I didn’t read much of what was said but I did see one comment that I was doing arthritic dancing. But I just thought that arthritic dancing was difficult and I’d like to see the pro dancers doing it.

“I thought this would be hard but I’ve actually been disappointed how c**p I’ve been so far.”

Judy took to the floor last night dancing the quickstep to Don’t Rain On My Parade from the musical Funny Girl. Her fate will be revealed on tonight’s show after she was saved from the dance-off last week by viewers’ votes despite finishing bottom.

Regardless of when she leaves, Judy, who says she’ll never have a fake tan or wear false eyelashes again, will be paired with Anton one last time.

She has accepted an invitation to dance with him on the Scottish leg of his latest tour.

Strictly Come Dancing: The Results, BBC One, 7.20pm.