The 57-year-old head judge was giving her comments to Joe McFadden after his Charleston performance with professional dancer Katya Jones.
However, the studio audience seemed to mishear Shirley and assumed she was making a saucy comment.
Shirley said: “I think my new name for you is DJ Detail Joe, or could it be Dark Horse Joe?
“The one coming from behind. You’ve done absolutely amazing today.”
As members of the audience began to giggle, Shirley gasped: “Did I say that right?”
Tess Daly interjected: “I think it’s Bruno’s face,” prompting Bruno to scream: “Me? I did nothing!”
One viewer tweeted: “I wonder how many complaints the BBC will receive about the audience tittering after Shirley’s ‘Coming from behind’ comment. #Strictly.”
“Did I just hear Shirley say what I thought she said? #Strictly,” posted another.
A third added: “The one coming from behind SHIRLEY YOU MINX #Strictly,” as another wrote: “So much double entendre on #Strictly more than a smile on Craig’s face and Joe’s coming from behind oooer.”
A fourth tweeted: “‘Coming in from behind’? Careful, Shirley! #Strictly,” as another said: “‘Joe, the one coming from behind’ SHIRLEY STOP #scd #strictly.”
Not all viewers were impressed with the antics, with one snapping: “Did everyone just giggle at ‘coming from behind’? how childish #strictly.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues tomorrow on BBC One at 7.15pm.
Daily Express :: TV and Radio Feed
