Shirley Ballas breaks silence on Strictly exit rumours

Shirley Ballas has broken her silence on rumors that she may not return to Strictly Come Dancing as head judge following the torrent of vile online abuse she received during the last series.

The 62-year-old chief judge and Latin expert was the subject of much criticism last year in which trolls criticized her decisions and accused her of ageism and sexism.

BBC bosses are said to be in talks with Shirley to return to the show, but she has yet to sign on the dotted line for the new series.

Shirley spoke about the BBC talent show on Monday’s edition of This Morning with hosts Holly Willoughby and Alison Hammond.

While Shirley couldn’t confirm or deny the rumours, Holly, 52, asked, “Aren’t you thinking about not being there?”

Hard: The 62-year-old chief judge and Latin expert came under fire last year as trolls blasted her decisions and accused her of ageism and sexism.

Shirley replied, ‘Well, we’re waiting for that invite and once it comes and we’ve got it sorted out… I love the work, I love the criticism.

‘I love getting advice and helping people along the way, moving forward to be beautiful dancers and all that they can be.’

In a new candid interview, Shirley indicated that the previous series may have been her last, having hit an “all-time low” after abuse “got out of hand.”

The ballroom dancer recounted how she was left in constant tears after each show and struggled in silence, recounting how it was “the biggest negativity” she had ever faced.

She told The Mirror: ‘Last year I was struggling. It wasn’t just a little, it was a lot, most of it was silent. I felt like the abuse got out of hand and impacted me in such a negative way. I’m a pretty stoic person and tend to keep everything quiet.

She explained that when the abuse began, it seemed “bigger than anything else”, and the star recounted how it left her “crying and emotional”, while she was “ashamed” of how she felt and trusted no one.

Shirley added: “And that was an all-time low since I joined the show, it was the most negativity I’ve ever experienced.” The BBC were brilliant, watching me and offering advice and support.’

When asked if he had considered leaving Strictly, he replied: ‘It was a tough series, I’ll leave it at that… Will I come back to Strictly? I always take one step at a time.

She went on to say that she “absolutely loved” her job and if it was only up to her to judge without the trolling involved, it would be the most “rewarding” job she could think of doing.

The American Queen went on to say that after Strictly ended in 2022, she took a “break” from television to “refocus” on her own industry and to “protect her sanity.”

Shirley revealed, “Well, we’re waiting for that invite and once it comes and we sort it out… I love the work, I love the criticism.”

Hint: When asked if he’s considered leaving Strictly, he replied: ‘It was a tough series, I’ll leave it at that… Will I come back to Strictly? I always take one step at a time’ (pictured with Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood)

Shirley went on to reveal the shocking scope of the messages she received, of which one in five were hateful, saying the thousands of comments she received every time she sent someone home were “really horrible.”

She added that she was accused of not liking young or old, men or women, noting that “it didn’t matter” what she did, “she could never win.”

However, she proudly said that she stuck to her decisions and never “regretted” sending anyone home based on how they performed at the dance, noting that she could “sleep at night” with her choices.

In December, Shirley revealed that she would be taking some time off over Christmas after facing an “immense amount of trolling” during the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The chief judge of the BBC show said he was going to “get together for the new year” enjoying some time off for the “first time”.

The prom icon decided not to panto last year, explaining how a scary incident involving a letter being delivered at the theater last year affected her decision.

She told S magazine: ‘This is my first time taking time off, ever! I’m taking two and a half weeks off, due to the overwhelming amount of trolling I’ve received throughout this series.

‘I decided that I would not do panto this year. The last time I did it, I received a letter by hand at the theater that was very unpleasant.

In fact, I kept it. I don’t know why. So I’m going to take some time off and just get ready for the new year.’

In November, Shirley revealed how ‘cruel’ trolls had left her seeking medical help for ‘low mood and anxiety’.

‘Cruel’: The dance icon decided not to panto last year, explaining how a terrifying incident involving a letter being delivered at the theater last year affected her decision (pictured in 2021)

She explained that, for the first time in a career that spans more than five decades, she has visited her doctor to find a way to manage the impact the teasing has had on her.

Shirley said OK! Magazine on the abuse she has suffered during the current series of Strictly: ‘It took an emotional toll on her, which is why I’m not going to panto.

‘[I’m] emotional and low and i’m not going to lie to you, it affected me this year for sure… When it gets personal, that’s cruel.

‘makes you [go]… ‘I look good? Am I too heavy? am i this am i that? Cover your bingo arms. Should I wear a dress with sleeves?’