{"id":91693,"date":"2025-09-29T01:07:22","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T01:07:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/91693\/"},"modified":"2025-09-29T01:07:22","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T01:07:22","slug":"strictly-bosses-change-dance-off-rules-to-protect-shirley-ballas-after-she-endured-years-of-death-threats-and-online-abuse-over-her-decisions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/91693\/","title":{"rendered":"Strictly bosses change dance-off rules to ‘protect Shirley Ballas after she endured years of death threats and online abuse over her decisions’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Strictly<\/a> Come Dancing has introduced a major new twist, partly to reportedly ‘ease the pressure on head judge Shirley Ballas<\/a>‘, who has faced years of relentless trolling over her dance-off decisions.<\/p>\n

Since joining the panel in 2017, Shirley, 65, has carried the burden of the deciding vote whenever the judges were split on which couple to save.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But that responsibility has now been lifted, with the power instead rotating each week between her fellow judges Motsi Mabuse<\/a>, Anton Du Beke<\/a> and Craig Revel Horwood<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Speaking about the new set-up, Shirley said on Saturday night: ‘For seven years, I have been responsible for one gruelling decision. But that’s about to change.’<\/p>\n

Co-host Tess Daly<\/a>\u00a0explained that viewers will now choose which judge gets the casting vote each week.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While there were multiple factors that were reportedly behind bosses’ decision to make the change, including adding more drama to the results show, it did come amid claims that Shirley had asked for support in handling the relentless online abuse she has faced over her past decisions.<\/p>\n

\"Strictly <\/p>\n

Strictly has introduced a major new twist to reportedly ease the pressure on head judge Shirley Ballas, who has faced years of relentless trolling over her dance-off decisions<\/p>\n

\"Since <\/p>\n

Since joining in 2017 Shirley, 65, held the casting vote, but it will now rotate weekly between the other judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse\u00a0 and Anton Du Beke (pictured)<\/p>\n

A source told The Mirror<\/a>: ‘A happy by-product of the change will mean that Shirley is subject to less vitriol.<\/p>\n

‘The fundamental reason behind the switch-up in the rules is to make the show more exciting but it’s fair to say that any move that lessens one judge unfairly facing abuse all the time is welcome too. Especially one as loved as Shirley.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

Daily Mail has contacted a representative for Strictly Come Dancing for comment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In previous years the ballroom star – who joined the panel in 2017 after previous head judge Len Goodman stepped down from the role – has been subjected to cruel remarks online, with some trolls even sending her death threats.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The vile comments left her struggling with her mental health so much that she once considered quitting the show altogether<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Speaking in an interview with The Times<\/a>\u00a0two years ago, the star opened up about the sorts of cruel messages she received, with some users even accusing her of being racist.<\/p>\n

She explained it was comments like ‘Just, how ugly you are and how fat you are, and how you’ve got horrible arms, and, ”You don’t like men. You don’t like women. You don’t like black men. You don’t like black women”.’<\/p>\n

Shirley revealed that the racist accusations especially were the hardest to deal with and although she might seem tough on the TV it’s just a front she puts on.<\/p>\n

\"Speaking <\/p>\n

Speaking about the new set-up, Shirley said on Saturday night: ‘For seven years, I have been responsible for one gruelling decision. But that’s about to change’\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The change comes after Shirley reportedly asked for support in handling the relentless online abuse she has faced over her past decisions<\/p>\n

‘That’s a front. Something I’ve learnt from my mother. ”Don’t whine. Get on with it”.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was reported that same year that after a stand-off with Strictly bosses Shirley was offered a pay rise of \u00a355,000 after she ‘had conversations’ about leaving the ballroom<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shirley has previously revealed she was forced to seek counselling after the abuse she received.<\/p>\n

She opened up on how she got through the abuse, and admitted she ‘wouldn’t want it for anyone’.<\/p>\n

Speaking to OK! magazine, she explained: ‘I’ve had down and dark days throughout my whole life but I’ve always had music and I’ve always had dancing. And of course I’ve got my mother and we’re glued at the hip.<\/p>\n

‘What it [the trolling] did to me on the last series, I wouldn’t want that for anyone.’<\/p>\n

\"Shirley <\/p>\n

Shirley has previously spoken about the toll the abuse she has received, leaving her struggling with her mental health so much she once considered quitting the show altogether (pictured performing on Saturday night)<\/p>\n

The star has been undergoing counselling for over two decades.<\/p>\n

Explaining her attitude towards it, she said: ‘I’m not embarrassed to say that now, although I was in the past as I thought people might think I was weak.<\/p>\n

‘But you know what? Sometimes counselling is just about having someone there to listen. So there’s nothing wrong with reaching out for help.’<\/p>\n

The Daily Mail has contacted Shirley’s representatives for comment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

STRICTLY LINEUP 2025<\/a> Harry Aikines-Aryeetey \"\" <\/p>\n

Age: 36<\/p>\n

Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator<\/p>\n

Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’<\/p>\n

Alex Kingston \"\" <\/p>\n

Age: 62<\/p>\n

Profession: Doctor Who actress<\/p>\n

The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’<\/p>\n

Balvinder Sopal\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Age: 46<\/p>\n

Profession: EastEnders actress<\/p>\n

Balvinder says: ‘I\u2019m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I\u2019m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’<\/p>\n

La Voix\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Age: 45<\/p>\n

Profession: Drag performer\u00a0<\/p>\n

She says:\u00a0‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thomas Skinner\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Age: 34<\/p>\n

Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur\u00a0<\/p>\n

He says:\u00a0‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’\u00a0<\/p>\n

Vicky Pattison \"\" <\/p>\n

Age: 37<\/p>\n

Profession: Reality TV star<\/p>\n

She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

Karen Carney\u00a0\u00a0 \"\" <\/p>\n

Age: 38<\/p>\n

Profession: Football pundit<\/p>\n

She says: ‘I\u2019m such a huge fan of the show and I can\u2019t believe I\u2019m finally getting the chance to take part.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

George Clark<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Age: 25\u00a0<\/p>\n

Profession: YouTuber\u00a0<\/p>\n

He says:\u00a0 ‘Never thought I\u2019d say this\u2026 but I\u2019m doing Strictly! Honestly, I\u2019ve got no idea what I\u2019m doing but I\u2019m excited to get stuck in \u2026 and potentially fall over a fair bit.’<\/p>\n

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink \"\" <\/p>\n

Age: 53<\/p>\n

Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.<\/p>\n

He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I\u2019ve done before but I\u2019m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’<\/p>\n

Ellie Goldstein\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Age: 23<\/p>\n

Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador\u00a0<\/p>\n

She says:\u00a0‘It\u2019s a show I\u2019ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.<\/p>\n

Chris Robshaw<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Age: 39<\/p>\n

Profession: Rugby player<\/p>\n

He says:\u00a0‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I\u2019m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can\u2019t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stefan Dennis \"\" <\/p>\n

Age: 66<\/p>\n

Profession: Actor<\/p>\n

He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’<\/p>\n

Ross King\u00a0 \"\" <\/p>\n

Age: 63<\/p>\n

Profession: Showbiz correspondent<\/p>\n

He says: ‘I can\u2019t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly\u2026 try not to step on too many toes!’<\/p>\n

\u00a0Lewis Cope \"\" <\/p>\n

Age: 30<\/p>\n

Profession: Actor<\/p>\n

He says: ‘I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’<\/p>\n

Amber Davies\u00a0 \"\" <\/p>\n

\u00a0Age: 28<\/p>\n

\u00a0Profession: West End star<\/p>\n

\u00a0She says: ‘This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. I\u2019ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true.’<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Strictly Come Dancing has introduced a major new twist, partly to reportedly ‘ease the pressure on head judge…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":91694,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[75],"tags":[58108,3412,53742,118,18,117,19,17,59585,58107,5282,27525,23260,59584,438],"class_list":{"0":"post-91693","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"tag-anton-du-beke","9":"tag-bbc","10":"tag-craig-revel-horwood","11":"tag-dailymail","12":"tag-eire","13":"tag-entertainment","14":"tag-ie","15":"tag-ireland","16":"tag-len-goodman","17":"tag-motsi-mabuse","18":"tag-new-york-times","19":"tag-shirley-ballas","20":"tag-strictly-come-dancing","21":"tag-tess-daly","22":"tag-tvshowbiz"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91693","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=91693"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91693\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91694"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91693"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=91693"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=91693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}