Shirley Ballas is ‘taking time off’ after the ‘amount of trolling’ she faced on Strictly

Shirley Ballas has revealed she is taking some time off over Christmas after facing an ‘immense amount of trolling’ throughout the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing. 

The BBC show’s head judge, 62, said she is going to ‘get myself together for the new year’ by enjoying some time away for the ‘first time ever’.  

The dancing icon has decided not to do panto this year, explaining how a scary incident which saw a letter being hand delivered to the theatre last year has affected her decision.

Opening up: Shirley Ballas revealed she is taking some time off over Christmas after facing an ‘immense amount of trolling’ throughout the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing

She told S magazine: ‘It’s the first time I’ve taken any time off – ever! I’m taking two and a half weeks off, because of the immense amount of trolling I got throughout this series. 

‘I decided I wouldn’t do panto this year. Last time I did it, I got a letter hand-delivered to the theatre that was very off-putting.’

‘I actually kept it. I don’t know why. So I’m going to take some time off and just get myself together for the new year.’ 

‘It’s the first time I’ve taken any time off – ever!’: The BBC head judge, 62, said she is going to ‘get myself together for the new year’ by enjoying some time away for the ‘first time ever’

Last month Shirley revealed how ‘cruel’ trolls have left her seeking medical help for ‘low mood and anxiety’.

She explained that, for the first time in a career spanning over five decades, she has been to her doctor to find a way to manage the impact the taunts have had on her.

Shirley told OK! Magazine of the abuse she’s endured during the current series of Strictly: ‘It took its emotional toll, that’s why I’m not going to do panto.

‘[I’m] emotional and low and I’m not going to lie to you, it did affect me this year for sure… When it gets personal, that’s cruel.

‘Cruel’: The dancing icon has decided not to do panto this year, explaining how a scary incident which saw a letter being hand delivered to the theatre last year has affected her decision (pictured in 2021)

‘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?’

The head judge recalled how one social media troll told her that her ears are ‘too big’ which led Shirley to measuring them.

Another told her she looks as though she has a glass eye, of which she explained: ‘That’s because I wear one lens and the other eye rolls a little bit.’

Thankfully, in addition to seeking medical help, Shirley praised the BBC for looking after her.

She said: ‘The BBC have been phenomenal, they do offer counselling, they’ve been there for me all the time, they chat to me every week. You couldn’t get more support than they give.’

Shirley’s confession comes a month after she hit back at online trolls who cruelly labelled her as a ‘fake person’ and ‘mutton dressed as lamb.’

‘It took its emotional toll’: It comes after last month she revealed how ‘cruel’ trolls have left her seeking medical help for ‘low mood and anxiety’ after slating her looks