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Shirley Ballas has opened up about her brutal past as a professional ballroom dancer, telling how she was cruelling fat-shamed six weeks after giving birth.
During an appearance on Wednesday’s instalment of Good Morning Britain, the Strictly Come Dancing judge, 63, said she would always be told she was ‘too fat’ or ‘bigger than her partner’ by her dance teachers.
And when she went back to the ballroom after giving birth at 25-years-old to her son Mark, Shirley admitted that she was told to ‘cover up her stretch marks’ and her ‘big fat legs’.
Speaking to Shirley about her new book Murder on the Dance Floor, host Richard Madeley, who co-hosts with Susanna Reid, asked: ‘What’s the worst thing a judge has said to you?
‘What’s it like as head judge, having the responsibility of critiquing ones dancing, which you sometimes you get backlash for, but you’ve experience far worse?’
Shirley Ballas, 63, has opened up about her brutal past as a professional ballroom dancer, telling how she was cruelling fat-shamed six weeks after giving birth
During an appearance on Wednesday’s instalment of Good Morning Britain , the Strictly Come Dancing judge said she would always be told she was ‘too fat’ or ‘bigger than her partner’ by her teachers
She explained: ‘Well I’ve had a couple things when I was younger. Certain teachers would say to me, “you’re too fat, you’re bigger than your partner”.
‘So it was always a weight issue and then another time when I gave birth to my son, I was 25, and I came back six weeks later to take part in a competition and the teacher said, “we don’t wanna see your stretch marks or your big fat legs”, and he marked us third – so we didn’t win our championship.
‘It made me feel so terrible about my body when I had just given birth so I think now it’s got more better. People are more sensitive to one another, and what they say, but back then there was absolutely no filter.’
Shirley was also asked if what the public see’s on Strictly Come Dancing is exactly what happens behind close doors.
The judge added: ‘Strictly Come Dancing is totally different, it’s three months of joy, just pure joy.
‘But behind my industry growing up it was actually really difficult in different parts in my career.
‘So I felt this cosy crime novel could actually give people an insight behind my industry and what goes on.’
She added: ‘Anybody wants to win at any costs and nobody in this industry gets along.
And when she went back to the ballroom after giving birth at 25-years-old, Shirley admitted that she was told to ‘cover up her stretch marks’ and her ‘big fat legs’
Speaking to Shirley about her new book Murder on the Dance Floor, host Richard Madeley, who co-hosts with Susanna Reid , asked: ‘What’s the worst thing a judge has said to you?
She explained: ‘Well I’ve had a couple things when I was younger. Certain teachers would say to me, “you’re too fat, you’re bigger than your partner” (Shirley pictured almost 50 years ago)
Adding: ‘So it was always a weight issue and then another time when I gave birth to my son, I was 25, and I came back six weeks later to take part in a competition and the teacher said, “we don’t wanna see your stretch marks or your big fat legs”
Shirley was also asked if what the public see’s on Strictly Come Dancing is exactly what happens behind close doors
The judge added: ‘Strictly Come Dancing is totally different, it’s three months of joy, just pure joy
Dance icon Shirley has been part of the BBC’s flagship Saturday night dance competition since she replaced Len Goodman in 2017 (pictured in 2017)
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‘One minute their speaking and next they’re not, it’s in and out. There is lots of bullying goes on, people manipulating to get where they need to get too.
‘People without stripes, that they’ve never really made it into the industry but they think they have. So there’s all sorts that goes on you know.’
Dance icon Shirley has been part of the BBC’s flagship Saturday night dance competition since she replaced Len Goodman in 2017.
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES
Layton Williams
Age: 28
Profession: Actor
Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’
Angela Scanlon
Age: 39
Profession: TV presenter
Angela says: ‘I’m not particularly fit, I’ve no idea how my pelvic floor is going to react to this dancing. I’ve never done any dances apart from drunken jiving at a wedding!’
Age: 22
Profession: Coronation Street star
Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’
Age: 20
Profession: EastEnders star and model
Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’
Nigel Harman
Age: 49
Profession: Actor
Nigel says: ‘I’m amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it’s my turn…..gulp!’
Age: 57
Profession: Broadcaster and ex tennis player
Annabel says: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’
