Shirley Ballas has issued a fresh dig at viewers of Strictly Come Dancing after revealing the 'vile trolling' she has received. The BBC One dance contest's head judge came under fire over the weekend as she returned to the judging panel for the show's much-loved Movie Week special.
But she has now returned to social media to reveal some big news after what she described as a "difficult week". The 62-year-old took to her Instagram Stories to sharing her latest incredible achievement with her hundreds of thousands of followers. She could be seen looking glam in a black blazer and sparkling trousers as she held onto an award.
"This certainly made a difficult week more beautiful – second industry award this week," Shirley wrote alongside the beaming image. She then appeared to issue a thinly veiled dig as she added: "I guess I do know a thing or two about dance."
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She went on to say: "Feeling honoured to be celebrated in my own industry for outstanding work spanning four decades," before sharing a picture of the speech made for her when she got presented with the award from the Ballroom Dancing Federation. "I’m honoured to accept this award. It filled my heart as it came with love, appreciation and kindness. Thank you @grahamoswick for reading so beautifully," she added.
Alongside a snap from the awards night, she spoke of the trolling and how the special night couldn't have come at a better time. "My industry, my global family, with gratitude I accept this award," she wrote. "Coming off a very difficult week of trolling, I appreciate the recognition of my work to the industry I’ve grown up in."
But that wasn't the only award Shirley picked up as last Thursday, prior to her latest stint in the ballroom on Strictly, Shirley attended the Legends of Industry Awards at Manchester's Hilton Hotel on Deansgate to celebrate those who have achieved outstanding success in their chosen fields of business and industry while raising funds for Variety, the Children’s Charity to support sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people.
Shirley, who is known as 'The Queen of Latin' recognised as one of the most successful professional Latin American dancers in the world having won a host of titles, won the Variety award for choreography and dance. Sharing images from the event, Shirley typed: "Last Thursday at @varietygb's Legend of Industry Awards 2022.
"I am very honoured to receive my award for 'Choreography and Dance'. After weeks of vile trolling this was a breath of fresh air." During Saturday night's Strictly, Shirley ruffled feathers over her critique of Ellie Taylor's cha cha cha to The Shoop Shoop Song. After comedian Ellie and her partner Johannes Radebe paid homage to Cher in the film Mermaids for Movie Week, the head judge came under fire for scolding Ellie.
Before marking Ellie a five out of 10 points, Shirley tapped on the table emphatically as she exclaimed that she wasn't accepting 'heel leads' from now onwards in the BBC dance contest. "No heel leads," she said firmly. "We are going into week three. You did a natural top, and the first step of every step was a heel lead. So as from today, I’m not accepting - and that goes for everybody else - I am not accepting any heel leads."
She also faced backlash during Sunday night's results show when she, for a second week, went against the decision of her follow judges - Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood, and Anton Du Beke. There was a shock when BBC Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice and Fleur East and Vito Coppola were found to be in the dreaded-dance off.
They both had to perform again before the judges made their decision. Craig, Anton,and Motsi all chose to save Fleur and Vito, who had been early favourites to lift the glitterball. This meant they had won the majority vote, sending Richie and Strictly's reigning champion Giovanni home in the second dance-off of the series.
But when host Tess Daly asked head judge Shirley Ballas for her decision, as is customary, she shocked viewers as she said she would have saved Richie and Giovanni. Queen of Latin Shirley said: "Well with the two couples the public put in the bottom two I would have saved Richie and Giovanni.” While Tess pointed out: "Of course it makes no difference to the result," many fans of the hit show were fuming, with some calling for Shirley to be replaced.
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