Shirley Ballas has been head judge on Strictly Come Dancing since 2017 (Image: Getty)
A man has pleaded guilty to stalking judge between 2017 and 2023.
Kyle Shaw, 37, of Birkenhead, Merseyside, appeared before a judge in Liverpool today after being accused of causing serious distress to the star. He also admitted possession of a quantity of cannabis.
The defendant was given conditional bail ahead of a sentencing hearing due to take place on April 1. Shirley Ballas, originally from Wallasey, Wirral, has been head judge on the show since 2017.
Shirley detailed her stalking ordeal last month and revealed a man, who claimed to know her, had been taking photographs of her house and car, prompting her to up her security.
Speaking on The Mirror’s ‘Invite Only’ podcast, Shirley said in January: “There was one particular person who was kind of stalking me. That is under investigation at the moment, as we speak. I know his computer and phone, everything has been confiscated.
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Shirley lives with her 85 year old mother Audrey (Image: Getty)
“He was taking pictures of my house, he had my house, he had my car. So, yes, there have been times when I have been fearful.”
It comes after Shirley declared her love life is a “disaster” after splitting from her fiancé Danny Taylor.
The TV star – who has been married twice in the past – is single again at the age of 64 after her relationship with her fiancé, 51, broke down, and Shirley admits she’s grateful to have the love and support of her mother, Audrey and her son Mark Ballas.
During an appearance on the ‘Great Company’ podcast, Shirley explained, ” I’ve just split with my boyfriend. My relationships have been disasters all along.
“But what I am truly grateful for is that I still have my mother, and that she lives with me, and I get these precious moments with her. Because my mother is the only thing that’s been a staple in my life.”