Shirley Ballas has reportedly hired an expert to fight trolls, after sharing the vile abuse she’s received in recent years.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 62, is said to be ‘taking control of the situation’.
A source said: ‘Shirley has brought in an expert to help her deal with social media.
‘After years of taunts, she is taking control of the situation.’
According to the Daily Star, the expert will filter comments and messages so she can avoid seeing the abuse.
The insider went on: ‘Shirley won’t have to read the nastiness anymore.
‘It means she can focus on her job as head judge.’
After experiencing “immense trolling,” Shirley took a vacation from the show last year and skipped the Christmas pantomime season.
The dancer, who has served as the Head Judge for the competition since 2017, declared in December, “I’ve never taken any time off before!” Due to the extensive trolling I received during this series, I’m taking two and a half weeks off.
‘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.’
Dan Walker defended the celebrity after she received harsh comments from Strictly viewers in recent weeks, denouncing the internet “bile and hatred” and pleading her followers to leave her alone.
Runner-up Fleur East also criticised Shirley’s “unfair” remarks, while Strictly pro Dianne Buswell pleaded the viewers to “be nice” to the adored singer.
After receiving hundreds of “really horrible” notes regarding her decisions to boot candidates from the show, Shirley suggested last year that the unfavourable feedback had almost caused her to contemplate leaving the programme.
‘Last year I was struggling. It wasn’t just a little bit, it was a lot – the majority of it was in silence,’ she said.
‘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.’
Shirley told The Mirror that the negativity was the most she’s ‘ever experienced’, adding that the BBC was ‘brilliant’ at checking in on her and offering her counselling and support.
When asked whether she would consider quitting Strictly, Shirley simply said: ‘It was a difficult series, I’ll leave it at that,’ before remarking: ‘Will I go back to Strictly? I always take one step at a time.’
Shirley stressed that she ‘absolutely loves’ her role on the show, describing it as ‘rewarding’.
Strictly Come Dancing returns later this year on BBC One.
Source My Celebrity Life.