Shirley Ballas ‘forever grateful’ for BBC Strictly job as she issues heartfelt statement amid calls to step down
WATCH HERE: Shirley Ballas thanks fans for supportive messages following calls for her to quit BBC Strictly
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Shirley Ballas bid farewell to this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night, with the emotional show finale seeing Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell crowned the 2024 winners.
Along with the stars of the series, emotions were running high for the judges throughout the night and Ballas soon took to social media to share a poignant message, which came following calls for her to step down.
During the series, which started back in September, trolls demanded Ballas leave the Strictly judging panel.
The professional choreographer, 64, is often embroiled in online "favouritism" rows.
This year, her positive feedback and high scoring of former The Only Way is Essex (Towie) star Pete Wicks infuriated some viewers.
In November, Ballas' admiration for Wicks' Couple's Choice dance led to many fans questioning the high marking she awarded them as she held up a 10 when it was time to score the performance.
Shirley Ballas praised and hugged Dianne Buswell following her final dance on BBC StrictlyBBCFellow judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke had opted for nines and an eight, and the reality star was placed above several show favourites on the leaderboard.
Many expressed their belief that Ballas was "biased" towards certain people, a claim the former dance champion has faced in previous Strictly series too.
Wicks wasn't the only star to find themselves at the centre of Ballas bias debates as earlier this year, the judge was also accused of favouring opera singer Wynne Evans over other dancers.
While Ballas has in the past addressed such claims as well as the brutal trolling she faces during the show, it seems she has been undeterred by the accusations.
Taking to social media after Saturday's grand finale, Ballas expressed her gratitude for the show and the series as its milestone 20th year came to an end.
Sharing a series of snaps from the night, including some of her with delighted winners McCausland and Buswell, she penned on Instagram: "Our @bbcstrictly Champions 2024…
"@chrismccauslandcomedy and @diannebuswell. Huge congratulations to you both. I’m in awe of you. You are two truly extraordinary human beings and I am so very grateful to have crossed paths with both of you."
She continued by thanking the finalists and others who had taken part during the series.
"Judging you each week has been a privilege. Thank you each and every one of you for tuning in and voting," she added.
"We hoped you enjoyed the show as much as we did. A huge congratulations to @jbgill @laurenmayoakley @tashaghouri @aljazskorjanec @hadderstime @vitocoppola for your outstanding commitment to our show.
"Walk out this ballroom with your heads held high. You are true inspirations. congratulations also to everyone who danced for us this year. You were all wonderful and it has been a blast," the Queen of Latin went on.
She concluded the heartfelt post: "I am forever grateful to be a part of a show that brings joy to millions of living rooms across the country.
"To all who work on and off the camera, thank you for putting on the best show on television.
"Thank you to you all for tuning in. I love you all. Have a beautiful Christmas. Hugs. X." (sic)
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BBC Strictly's Shirley Ballas opened up about the trolling she's received earlier this series
BBCDuring the final show, Ballas ended up receiving a lot of praise on social media for her sweet gesture towards professional dancer Buswell ahead of her win.
It followed during McCausland and Buswell's final performance, a revisit to the Waltz they performed back in October to You'll Never Walk Alone.
"I have to give this young lady a cuddle," Ballas responded following the moving routine as she pulled Buswell for a hug.
"You have found a way to this man's heart, you have found every step that's possible for him to do, and that takes a very, very special person," she told the Australian dancer.
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