Shirley Ballas reveals overwhelming online abuse as Strictly head judge
- Shirley Ballas often has the final vote when disagreements arise among the judges on Strictly Come Dancing, which can lead to backlash.
- Ballas has expressed that the trolling and criticism she faced last year left her overwhelmed and in tears.
- Despite the challenges, she stated that she loves her role on the show and values the connections she makes with participants.
Shirley Ballas, the head judge of Strictly Come Dancing, has disclosed her struggles with online abuse following her decisions during the show. As the final arbiter among judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, Ballas often faced harsh criticism when consensus was not reached. The negativity peaked last year, leading her to consider leaving the show due to the emotional toll it took on her. In a candid reflection, she expressed that the majority of the hateful comments were overwhelming and left her in tears after each show. To cope with the situation, she began working with a social media manager to help manage the stream of negative comments, and she took a break from television to focus on her well-being. Despite these challenges, Ballas emphasized that she loves her job and believes it to be incredibly rewarding when free from negative feedback.