The abuse hit me... it was an all-time low

Shirley Ballas on her trolling pain

- LAURA ARMSTRONG

STRICTLY JUDGE'S HELL OVER ONLINE HATE

SHIRLEY Ballas is considering her future on Strictly Come Dancing as awful abuse from thousands of trolls takes its toll.

The head judge says she was in tears and at “an all-time low” as hate messages poured in after every show in the last series.

Irate fans questioned her decisions, accused her of ageism and sexism, and took cruel swipes at her appearance.

And Shirley, 62, yesterday admitted that while she loves her job, she is hesitant about returning this year after “hugely struggling” with the toll.

The BBC are in talks to keep “Queen of Latin” Shirley – loved and revered by millions as the smiling face of Strictly.

In an exclusive interview, the dance champion turned TV expert reveals: “Last year I was struggling. It wasn’t just a little bit, it was a lot – the majority of it was in silence.

“I felt the abuse snowballed out of control and impacted me in such a negative way. I’m a pretty stoic person, and I tend to hold everything in.

“When it all kicked off, it seemed like it was larger than anything else.

“I was crying, I was emotional, but I was embarrassed about being so emotional. I didn’t want to talk to anybody about it.

SUPPORT

“And that was an all-time low since I joined the show – it was the most negativity I’d ever experienced. The BBC were brilliant, checking in on me and offering counselling and support.”

Shirley replaced Len Goodman as head judge in 2017.

Asked if she has considered quitting the show, she replies carefully: “It was a difficult series, I’ll leave it at that.