Shirley Ballas has reportedly landed a big money deal to return to Strictly Come Dancing after struggling with relentless trolling during last year’s series.
The professional dancer, 62, who appears as a judge on the show, previously revealed she had “talks” about leaving the ballroom competition after being targeted by members of the viewing public who accused her of ageism and sexism as she criticized on the participants.
But it is now rumored that she will sign a new contract within days of reaching a new deal with bosses.
A source told it MirrorShirley really freaked out bosses that she would decide to run and focus on other projects, like her books and dance competition, The Ballas Cup. They pulled out all the stops to offer her a raise. Luckily, it looks like she’ll accept it.
“The trolling is very fresh in her mind, but she’s keen to focus on the positives — and she’s hired someone to manage her social media, so she won’t see the meanest comments.”
Back on? Shirley Ballas, 62, has reportedly landed a big money deal to return to Strictly Come Dancing after struggling with relentless trolling during last year’s series
On the way out: The professional dancer, who appears as a judge on the show, previously revealed she had ‘had conversations’ about leaving the ballroom competition
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Shirley and the BBC for comment.
Shirley recently hinted that she may not return to Strictly Come Dancing this year after the deluge of vicious online abuse she received during the last series.
In a candid interview, she indicated that the previous series may have been her last, as she had hit an “all-time low” after the abuse “got out of hand.”
The ballroom dancer, who joined Strictly as a judge in 2016, shared how she was constantly in tears and struggled in silence after each show, telling how it was “the most negativity” she’d ever experienced.
She told the Mirror: ‘Last year I had a hard time. It wasn’t a little bit, it was a lot – most of it was in silence. I felt the abuse spiraled out of control and affected me in such a negative way. I’m quite a stoic person and I tend to keep everything inside.’
She explained that when the abuse started, it seemed “bigger than anything else,” with the star talking about how it left her “crying and emotional,” as she was “embarrassed” by how she felt and didn’t confide in anyone.
Shirley added, “And that was a low point since I joined the show – it was the most negativity I’d ever experienced. The BBC has been brilliant, monitoring me and offering advice and support.’
When asked if she’d considered quitting Strictly, she replied, “It’s been a tough series, I’ll leave it at that… Shall I go back to Strictly?” I always take one step at a time.’
Issues: Shirley was targeted by members of the viewing public who accused her of ageism and sexism while criticizing the contestants during the final series (LR judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley and Anton Du Beke seen on the show in December 2022)
She went on to say that she “absolutely loved her job” and if it were only up to her to judge without the trolls involved, it would be the most “rewarding” job she could think of doing.
The Queen of Latin went on to say that after finishing Strictly in 2022, she was taking a “break” from TV to “refocus” on her own industry and to “protect her sanity.”
Shirley went on to reveal the shocking volume of messages she received – one in five of which were hateful – and said the thousands of responses she got when she sent someone home were “truly awful.”
She added that she was accused of disliking young or old people, men or women, noting that it “didn’t matter” what she did, she could “never win.”
However, she proudly said she stood by her decisions and never “regretted” sending someone home based on how they performed at the dance, noting that she could sleep at night “with her choices.”
In December, Shirley revealed she was taking some time off over Christmas after dealing with “massive amounts of trolls” during the last series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Hesitant: Shirley previously indicated the previous series may have been her last as she hit an ‘all-time low’ after the abuse ‘got out of hand’ (pictured in 2022)
The BBC show’s head judge said she would ‘get myself together for the new year’ by being away for a while for the ‘first time ever’.
The dance icon decided not to do panto last year, explaining how a scary incident involving a letter being hand-delivered at the theater last year influenced her decision.
She said S magazine: ‘It’s the first time I’ve taken time off – ever! I’m taking two and a half weeks off, because of the sheer amount of trolls I’ve gotten on this series.
“I decided I wasn’t going to do panto this year. The last time I did it I got a personally delivered letter at the theater which was very unpleasant.’
“I actually kept it. I do not know why. So I’m going to take some time off and get myself together for the new year.’
In November, Shirley revealed how “cruel” trolls had left her to seek medical attention for “bad mood and anxiety.”
Hint: When asked if she’d considered quitting Strictly, she replied, “It was a tough series, I’ll leave it at that… Shall I go back to Strictly?” I always take one step at a time” (pictured with Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood)
She explained that for the first time in a career spanning more than five decades, she went to her doctor to find a way to manage the impact of the taunts on her.
said Shirley OK! Magazine of the abuse she endured on the current series of Strictly: “It took its emotional toll, which is why I’m not going to do panto.
‘[I’m] emotional and down and I’m not going to lie to you, it sure hit me this year… When it gets personal it’s brutal.
‘It makes you [go]… ‘Do I look good? Am I overweight? is this me? Is that me? Cover your bingo arms. Should I wear a dress with sleeves?’