Shirley Ballas says she was cruelly body shamed as a young dancer by a judge who commented on her ‘revolting’ stretch marks: ‘It wasn’t like it is today’

Shirley Ballas says she was once rejected from a dance competition because an overly critical judge took offense to her stretch marks.

The 63-year-old Strictly Come Dancing head judge is a ballroom veteran and has been dubbed Queen of Latin, but times haven’t always been easy.

Speaking to the Radio times In the podcast, Shirley admitted she faced fierce criticism when she returned to the dance floor six weeks after the birth of son Mark, her only child, in 1986.

She said: ‘It wasn’t like today where everyone has to walk on an eggshell to tell you something.

‘Six weeks after I gave birth, I started dancing again. I was told, “I marked you third because I refuse to look at the stretch marks on your back. I find it disgusting.”

Old times: Shirley in an undated photo from her glory days as a professional dancer

“I just accepted it, moved on and did what I had to do – for me it was character building,” she added.

The dance teacher also admitted that receiving very ‘direct’ criticism had an impact on her role on the BBC hot show – revealing that her son had to give her ‘tips on being constructive and smiling’.

Like Strictly Come Dancing head judge, Shirley has suffered her fair share of trolling and online abuse.

And the TV favorite recently said the alleged Holly Willoughby plot has made her more ‘cautious’ than ever and scared of going out alone at night.

The dancer said that while she is now better equipped to deal with nasty comments she receives from viewers, she has been affected by the ‘terrible’ accusations which led Holly to quit her role on This Morning after 14 years.

‘I’m still cautious, especially with what’s just happened to Holly Willoughby, which is devastating. I sympathize with her. I don’t go out alone late at night,” she told Best magazine.

Holly sensationally resigned from her position last month after it was claimed that shopping center security guard Gavin Plumb had plotted to kidnap and murder her.

He has pleaded not guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to three criminal charges relating to the alleged plot and has been remanded in custody until a trial in June.

Family: The strict judge admitted she was fiercely criticized when she returned to the dance floor six weeks after the birth of son Mark (pictured), her only child, in 1986

Bold: The dancing star revealed: ‘Six weeks after I had my baby I started dancing again. I was told, “I marked you third because I refuse to look at the stretch marks on your back. I find it disgusting’ (pictured in London earlier this month)

Effort: The dance teacher also admitted that receiving very ‘direct’ criticism had an impact on her role in the BBC show – revealing that her son had to give her ‘tips on being constructive and smiling’

Terrifying: Shirley has said Holly Willoughby’s alleged plot has made her more ‘cautious’ than ever and afraid of going out alone at night (pictured in June)

Horrible: Holly sensationally stepped back from her old role last month after it was claimed that mall security guard Gavin Plumb plotted to kidnap her (pictured on the show in September)

Dancing icon Shirley has been part of the BBC’s Saturday night dancing competition since replacing Len Goodman in 2017.

Although she is a beloved part of the show, she says she is sometimes “afraid to leave the house” because of the cruel trolls and death threats she has received.

Shirley’s fears will be especially highlighted now that her son Mark, 37, was targeted when he teamed up with gymnast Shawn Johnson, 31, on Dancing With The Stars – the US version of Strictly.

“I’ve had people draw coffins with me in them, with someone with a shovel saying, ‘Die you b****,'” she said in the ITV documentary Olivia Attwood vs The Trolls.

She added: “This whole experience has made me much more vigilant. I can’t say I’m leaving my front door unless I’m clear. I never relax. I would say it has completely changed my life.’

“I’m talking about being in public. You worry about those same strange people who write these kinds of messages.

‘Do they hide in dark corners? Do they hide behind walls when you go somewhere?’

Shirley admitted that she is always on alert as a result of the messages, but also harbors a certain sympathy for those responsible.

Earlier this month, Shirley was forced to apologize this week for suggesting women should carry Tasers to protect themselves from potential attackers.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge stressed that women need to ‘become more vigilant’ and educate themselves on how to best look after themselves when a dangerous situation arises.

Ballroom dancer Shirley said women are made to wear the devices that shock people with a 50,000-volt charge, without realizing they are in fact illegal and only used by trained police in Britain, leading the BBC to issue a warning.

Fears: ‘I’m still cautious, especially with what just happened to Holly Willoughby, which is devastating. I sympathize with her. I don’t go out alone late at night,” she told Best magazine (pictured last month)

During an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Women’s Hour, she said: ‘All women in today’s society need to become more vigilant. It’s important that people take care of themselves, maybe carry Tasers, things like that.

“My message goes out to all women, not just women in ‘profile’, it’s taking care of yourself, it’s educating yourself.

‘What can you do if you find yourself in a situation that takes you by surprise and you have no idea what to do?’

Host Krupa Padhy chimed in: “We have to say that stun guns or tasers are prohibited weapons and it is an offense to possess them.”

Shirley later said: ‘I apologize for my comments. I didn’t know Tasers were illegal in Britain, and I don’t encourage violence in any way.

“I wanted to send the message that women should feel empowered to protect themselves and incorrectly mentioned the use of Tasers.”

Safety: Earlier this month, Shirley was forced to apologize this week for suggesting women should carry Tasers to protect themselves from potential attackers (pictured in this month’s Strictly Come Dancing judging panel)