Strictly Come Dancing 's head judge Shirley Ballas has opened up about the toll that trolls have taken on her health as she admitted to having a "difficult" year.
The star said that she has been offered counselling from the BBC after relentless verbal abuse from Strictly viewers, which she said had been particularly bad in recent months and had affected her more this year than any other after five decades in the industry. The 62-year-old judge told OK! that she "couldn't even repeat" some of the nasty names she has been called on social media.
Shirley confirmed that she has seen a doctor about her low moods and anxiety caused by "cruel" comments from viewers this year. The jibes from Strictly fans during this year's series ranged from questioning her knowledge of dance to making cruel remarks about her appearance, she revealed.
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"I’ve enjoyed the series but I’m not going to stand here and lie to you – it took its emotional toll," she admitted. "That’s why I’m not going to do panto. I’ll take some time off as soon as the show’s finished until about 4 January and collect myself and see what I want to do with myself next year. It’s been quite difficult this year."
Shirley went on to tearfully detail some of the jibes she receives on a regular basis. "It makes you [go]… 'Do I look right? Am I too heavy? Am I this? Am I that?' 'Cover up your bingo arms' - 'Should I wear a dress with sleeves?'
"One person said, 'Your ears are too big.' So, I got a tape measure out and measured my ears. 'I look like I have a glass eye'. That’s because I wear one lens and the other eye rolls a little bit."
The judge confirmed that she is receiving support from the BBC over the issue. "The BBC have been phenomenal, they do offer counselling, they’ve been there for me all the time," she said. "They chat to me every week. You couldn’t get more support than they give."
Shirley said that she will be taking a break from social media over Christmas when the current series of Strictly comes to an end. She also thanked the fans who have sent her supportive messages, saying that they have "kept her going" this year.
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