Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has spoken about the emotional toll of online criticism, revealing that this season of the show has been particularly tough for her.
In an interview with OK! Magazine, Ballas opened up on the online trolling she has faced, saying: "I’ve enjoyed the series but I’m not going to stand here and lie to you – it took its emotional toll.
"The names I’ve been called! I couldn’t even repeat them to you.”
The judge added that the constant criticism has also led to her experiencing low moods and anxiety for the first time in her career, saying that she's never dealt with criticism this intense while being part of the series.
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She continued: "[I’m] emotional and low and I’m not going to lie to you, it did affect me this year for sure. I have [been to the doctor]."
Ballas went on the highlight that comments on her and her son's looks as well as criticism on her ability as a judge have been particularly difficult to deal with.
"50 years, I’ve been in this industry! 50 years! I’ve got awards for everything I’ve done. I’ve trained all the top people in the world," she said.
"To get somebody who thinks I don’t understand what I’m talking about... to me, it’s a big deal. I think that comes from being a young girl from a housing estate. You’re always trying to prove yourself, you just want to do the best job for the people watching."
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Ballas added that she's perfectly fine with people having a different opinion to her but doesn't understand why people are "personal" with their critiques.
"Like I say you don’t have to agree… 'It’s OK, I didn’t agree with your mark, you sent the wrong person home'. I’m fine with that," she said.
"But when it gets personal, that's cruel."
Strictly Come Dancing next airs on Friday (December 2) at 8pm on BBC One, with a results show on Saturday (December 3) at 5.40pm. Spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows also stream on BBC iPlayer.
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