Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has given viewers a stark warning as the BBC competition intensifies.
Ballas, 63, has been taking to the ballroom floor every week to critique the celebrity couples. She currently forms the judging panel alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Anton du Beke and Motsi Mabuse.
But Shirley has been the victim of cruel trolling as a result of her scoring of some of the celebrity pairs. The abuse became so strong during last year’s edition of the BBC series that Ballas debated not returning to the show.
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Attending the Pride of Britain Awards, Shirley spoke exclusively to the Daily Star on how the show has been progressing. However, she told us that viewers need to be aware of the power their words have on social media.
(Image: PA)
Judge Ballas said: “My hope for this season is that everybody at home will truly get behind the show and they’ll do their voting, and really understand how hard these people work. Just be cautious about the critiques that you want to lash out there to people when they really are doing their best.
“It starts when you start sending people home,” she continued. “It starts to get a little bit [worse] because somebody is always someone’s favourite, so it starts from here really. But I’m in a really good place this year.”
(Image: Getty Images for The National Lottery)
Shirley recently opened up about the struggles she faces online in a new documentary hosted by former Love Island star Olivia Attwood earlier this month. In the programme, she admitted she has resorted to hiring a social media manager to help filter through the hateful comments.
Ballas took over the role of head judge on Strictly after the late Len Goodman opted to leave the show to become a part of the panel on the United States’ Dancing with the Stars. She has been on the programme since 2017.
(Image: Getty Images)
Whilst attending the awards ceremony in London last week, Shirley wowed in a vibrant red maxi gown with puffy, off-the-shoulder arms. The silky frock also went down to the floor, highlighting Shirley’s classy looks.
She complemented her look with a thin silver chain necklace a glitzy bracelet on her left wrist. She finished off the ensemble with a number of rings across both her hands.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
