Strictly Judge Shirley Ballas Reveals Harrowing Six-Year Stalking Ordeal as Man is Finally Charged

Shirley Ballas, the 64-year-old Strictly Come Dancing judge, has revealed the six-year stalking ordeal she endured after a man was charged in connection with the case. The 37-year-old man is accused of sending distressing messages to Ballas between 2017 and 2023. He was charged with stalking and possession of cannabis, after allegedly pursuing a pattern of online messages that caused Shirley “serious alarm or distress” and had a “substantial adverse effect on her usual day-to-day activities.”

The man appeared in South Sefton Magistrates’ Court in Bootle, Merseyside, last week, where he was formally charged. This case follows an incident earlier in 2023 when Shirley called the police after seeing the man taking pictures of her car and home. She also claimed the man “lunged” at her, prompting officers to seize his phone and computer during the investigation, reported Entertainment Daily.

Reflecting on her ordeal, Shirley expressed the impact it has had on her life: “‘I like to be kind of like a free bird, but we’re coming into times now where you have to be more vigilant of yourself,” she said. She continued, “You’re upping your level of alarms. And I always tell my mum: ‘I’m here, I’ve arrived.’ I wouldn’t bother normally but it’s become a thing that we do.”

Despite the trauma, Shirley praised the BBC’s support during this difficult period, stating that the “duty of care” she received had been “1,000%” and “fantastic.” She acknowledged the additional steps taken to ensure her safety, explaining, “So, in some of these instances, when it was difficult — this stalker came from the North of England — I had somebody walking me from the hotel. They checked in on me to make sure that I was okay. I just felt very well protected.”

The man, who suffers from mental health issues, was reportedly deemed unfit to enter a plea. Prosecutor Angela Conlan confirmed that the man is “under the care of the Wirral mental health.” He has been bailed to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on January 31, where he will be prohibited from contacting or approaching Shirley Ballas in any form, including through social media. Additionally, he is not allowed to enter London, where Shirley resides.