Controversial X Factor rapper Honey G has challenged her Saturday night ratings rival Ed Balls to a dance-off.

The contestants are both considered to be the novelty acts of their television competitions, but Strictly Come Dancing’s Ed appeared to diss Honey G this week when he admitted he didn’t know what to say about her.

On tonight’s episode of the ITV singing contest, Honey G hit back at the BBC star by saying: “I’d like to challenge Ed Balls to a dance-off, challenge me any day. He knows where I am.”

She made the comments to show host Dermot O’Leary after her performance of Will Smith’s Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It and Jason Nevins’ It’s Like That for the programme’s movie week theme.

Earlier in the week, Ed, who danced a Jive in tonight’s ballroom contest, had told the Daily Star: “I’m definitely aware of Honey G, I’ve seen a couple of YouTube videos.

“I am not sure what to say – as (Strictly judge) Craig (Revel Horwood) would say: ‘OMG!’ All I will say is that I think I am getting better.”

Ahead of her performance tonight, Honey G said: “Honey G Being in the last six is just great, I just can’t believe I’m here. The finish line is in touching distance right now, and I’ve always been a good sprinter.”

She added: “I’m not going to be doing any Honey G ad libs, I want to show that I’m a really good rapper.”

Judge Simon Cowell sang her praises as usual, telling her: “A lot of people have called me this week and said, ‘Are you judging her based on talent, surely this isn’t someone you like?’

“Here’s the truth, I love you – I don’t know why, you are infectious. Are you the best singer I’ve ever heard, no. Do I look forward to you coming back, yes. So it’s time to rip up the rule book.”

But fellow judge Nicole Scherzinger told the rapper’s mentor Sharon Osbourne: “That Honey G production be on steroids Mrs O. Towards the end I started to wonder, am I seeing the same thing week after week?”

The X Factor continues tomorrow on ITV at 8pm.