Real reason Strictly judge Shirley Ballas stripped of deciding vote in dance-off each week revealed
By Felicity Cross,Love Island
Copyright thescottishsun
STRICTLY bosses ripped up the rulebook to protect embattled head judge Shirley Ballas from horror trolls by “spreading the hate” across the panel.
Shirley, 65, will no longer cast the deciding vote in the BBC show’s weekly dance-off, with the power instead lying with a different judge each week.
The Sun can reveal execs made the change after Shirley begged for help managing the intense abuse over unpopular opinions.
She had held the deciding vote on the occasions when the judges are split after the dance decider between the bottom two couples each week.
Shirley almost quit in 2022 over concerns for her mental health.
Announcing the change on Saturday night, she said: “For seven years, I have been responsible for one gruelling decision.
“But that’s about to change.”
Host Tess Daly, 56, confirmed viewers will decide who out of Shirley, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood will hold the power this Saturday.
Shirley told a fan online: “I got a call and I said, ‘Omg yes love it. I can’t wait to see Anton send someone home.’”
She has been accused of sexism, racism and even had death threats.
The BBC has supported her during her time on the show.
A show source said the change will be an “exciting addition”.
