The show’s head judge was inundated with abusive tweets (Picture: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has received ‘many apologies’ from trolls who sent her abusive messages following the weekend’s results.
The head judge on the BBC show said she had been inundated with ‘hurtful’ messages after Richie Anderson and pro partner Giovanni Pernice were eliminated on Sunday.
It was fellow panellists Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke who voted to send the pair home, before host Tess Daly asked Shirley if she agreed with the outcome.
To many people’s surprise, the dance expert said she actually would’ve sent home Fleur East and Vito Coppola, who were also in the dreaded dance-off.
‘Well, with the two couples the public put in the bottom two, I would have saved Richie and Giovanni,’ Shirley said at the time.
As a result, the Wallasey-born TV star was ordered by Twitter users to ‘quit’ the show, as they failed to understand her views, especially as Fleur scored 29 points for her American smooth to Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid, while Richie scored 27 for his samba to Hakuna Matata from Disney’s The Lion King.
Shirley wants to move on and encouraged everyone to just enjoy the show (Picture: PA)
Highlighting the extent of the backlash she received since the show aired, Shirley revealed an explicit message, which was one of many from Strictly fans who didn’t agree with her choice.
Taking to social media, she shared a screenshot from the troll, that read: ‘You’re a f*****g t**t.’
Writing on Twitter, Shirley captioned her post: ‘Here we are again how sad.’
But, the 62-year-old ballroom dancer isn’t holding a grudge, later tweeting that all had been forgiven.
‘I have received many apologies over the weekend regarding hurtful messages I’ve received on social media,’ she began.
‘All apologies are accepted and from now on let’s all respect each other and enjoy the show. Love to you all.’
Fans flocked to support the TV judge, saying she ‘doesn’t deserve’ to receive hate and praising her ‘grace and elegance’ in responding to trolls.
However, not everyone was so willing to move on, suggesting that the judge herself should ‘apologise’ to the likes of Fleur and comedian Ellie Taylor, whom she criticised on Saturday night.
Richie and Giovanni made it to week three, but their Movie Week routine didn’t earn them enough public votes, sadly (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
Fleur East was saved in the dance-off by three judges and survived to dance another week (Picture: PA)
‘I’m a big fan of yours, I think your critique is always on point. But, your clear distain for Fluer this weekend was so clear, her dance was brilliant and I think you owe her an apology, not a public 1, but reach out to her personally, this whole thing will knock her confidence,’ one person responded.
Following his shock exit from the show, BBC Radio 2 DJ Richie Anderson was overcome with emotion as he spoke about his departure on Strictly: It Takes Two.
‘I’m just so proud,’ the former contestant began, becoming tearful as he watched back the moment he left the show.
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When asked by host Rylan Clark how he feels to have left the show after receiving praise for his quickstep the previous week, Richie admitted: ‘Going into the studio on a Saturday night, that could’ve been the last time.
‘Every dance I have done, it might not have been technically perfect, but I have gone out there and given it some welly, and given it 110%. And all you can do, Rylan, is hope it’s enough, and as you can see from Saturday night and Sunday night, you can never be too sure. But I have just had the most amazing time.’
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday and Sunday on BBC One.
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MORE : Fleur East was ‘very nervous’ for shock Strictly dance off after ending up in bottom two
‘Let’s all respect each other and enjoy the show.’