Shirley Ballas, 63, claps back at 'personal' attack on appearance ahead of BBC Strictly return: 'So it begins'
Shirley Ballas hit back at a troll targeting her appearance on Instagram
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Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has shared her response to a cruel comment as someone took aim at her appearance online.
The 63-year-old former dance champion commented "so it begins" before replying to a "personal" remark someone had penned.
On her Instagram account, Ballas shared on her Stories a message from someone urging her to remove the "warts on her face".
They wrote: "Shirley you always look stunning with hair and clothes. Would you consider having the warts removed on your face?"
The social media follower continued: "I know you have lots of health and beauty treatments but I think this would be the best things to do.
"My cousin had a huge one removed between her eyebrows and one from her chin and she has been so happy with the results.I don't mean this to be rude I completely admire you. Take care Shirley."
Shirley Ballas hit back at a troll targeting her appearance on Instagram
In response to the message, Ballas wrote: "And so it begins lol just for one's information I love my little bump on my chin I was born with it.
"It's not a wart can always tell when @bbcstrictly is about to start the messages get personal." (sic)
Ballas will return to the judging panel for this year's 20th-anniversary special of Strictly alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
While no celebrity names have been officially confirmed, one rumoured sign-up has already sparked controversy.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas shared the "personal" comment with fans
PA
The BBC dance contest is rumoured to have signed up a trained dancer in the form of former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri who is reportedly taking part in the series later this year.
MailOnline reports Ghouri, 25, is set to be taking to the dance floor after being signed up for the show, but some have argued she has an "unfair advantage".
A source said of the potential "fix" row: "Tasha's signing has certainly raised a few eyebrows. She's a dancer by trade as well as a reality star and model, so it feels like she's too qualified to appear on the show."
Speaking to the publication, they continued to say the Love Island star is "certainly no novice" and would be far ahead of her co-stars in terms of ability when training starts.
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Strictly Come Dancing will be back on screens in a matter of weeks
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It comes as the beloved family programme is in the midst of a reputation crisis following a scandal that has rocked the show all year.
After Amanda Abbington made claims about "abusive" behaviour from her dancer partner Giovanni Pernice, a BBC probe was launched.
Pernice has since left the show's professional dancer line-up and his colleague Graziano Di Prima has been axed from the series over misconduct claims.
Pernice, 33, has vehemently denied the accusations, while Di Prima admitted to having "kicked" Zara McDermott last year but denies other claims.
The BBC has said it will be introducing new safeguarding measures in this year's series to protect the wellbeing of its contestants.