Strictly judge Shirley Ballas breaks silence after BBC announces bullying probe findings

Shirley Ballas has welcomed the findings of Strictly’s bullying probe – and says that now the show must go on.

Speaking for the first time about the bombshell report, Shirley, 64, says it is vital celebs’ concerns are listened to. The BBC investigation was sparked by claims from actress Amanda Abbington that dance partner Giovanni Pernice had been “abusive and cruel”.

It upheld six of her 16 claims, mainly relating to the former pro’s swearing. Head judge Shirley – who has known Giovanni for a decade – was asked about the findings during a book talk on Tuesday night. In an apparent show of sympathy for Amanda, she says: “I don’t condone bullying – I’ve been through it myself.

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“So if things aren’t right or need addressing, I feel for the person that wants them addressed. And I think that’s a big, important part – that everybody gets to say their thing. But now the investigation is over and everybody can move on.”

Shirley says any extra safeguarding for celebrities joining the show could only be a good thing, as she heaped praise on the show for caring for her. “The eight years I’ve been on the show, it’s been great safeguarding,” she says. “I’ve always felt taken care of when the bullying got really bad.

“I was getting hand-delivered letters and one person was drawing a coffin saying ‘Die, you b****’. Strictly were 100% supportive, so my experience on the show has been fantastic. I’m not from a TV world but I can only say that I’ve received much better care from Strictly than I ever received in my own industry.”

The BBC has apologised to Amanda, 50. Complaints of bullying and harassment were upheld by the report, but claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not. Amanda called it a “vindication of [my] complaint”, while Giovanni, 34, said he was “happy” the more serious allegations had been thrown out.

Despite the drama of the summer, Strictly kicked off its 20th series last month with huge fanfare. So Shirley is back in the hot seat on Saturdays alongside Craig Revel Horwood, 59, Motsi Mabuse, 43, and Anton Du Beke, 58, judging the new celebs.

And she has already spotted a possible romance hotting up. Asked if the Strictly curse could strike this year, Shirley teased: “I think you’ll guess who’s got the chemistry going on. And that’s what makes their performance kind of special. We won’t mention any names, but there’s always some chemistry going on, you know. It makes the world go around.”

She may not be not naming names but her racy comments about reality star Pete Wicks, 35, and Jowita Przystał, 30, the previous week could be a bit of a giveaway. The pair have lit up the dancefloor with their sizzling chemistry. Last week Shirley described their connection as “too hot to handle”.

At the weekend we saw the show lose its first couple, Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, 24, and Nadiya Bychkova, 35. And not only does Shirley face flack from fans for sending their favourites home – her mum, Audrey, 87, also ticks her off if she doesn’t like her decisions.

“You have no idea,” laughed Shirley as she promoted her book, Dance to the Death, at Henley Literature Festival. “You send the person home and she doesn’t think they should go. She said, ‘Well that dress doesn’t suit her’ and ‘What have you done to her hair?’

“So she’s very honest with what she likes and she doesn’t. I wouldn’t have it any other way with her.” As a former world champion dancer, Shirley has certainly earned her place as head judge after competing at the highest level for decades.

But she’s now been warned by medics to take things a little easier. “I have a degenerative spine disorder,” she says, revealing the heartbreaking diagnosis for the first time. He [the doctor] said if I don’t slow down, there might be one day I won’t be able to teach. That hit me so hard. I’m constantly in pain. But I want to avoid surgery because even if I have the open back surgery, I’ll still be in pain.”

Shirley says it means its more important than ever to look after herself. “I’m constantly just trying to find different ways that I can give myself the absolute best chance,” she says. “And being more cautious when I’m dancing. And that’s why I prefer to just dance with Anton if I’m dancing – because I know he’s going to be very gentle and not tip me up all over the place!”