Strictly Come Dancing's head judge, Shirley Ballas, has delivered a heart-wrenching and powerful account of the relentless online trolling that drove her to the brink of suicide.
In a deeply personal interview on ITV's Loose Women, the 63-year-old dance expert broke down in tears as she recounted the darkest period of her life, revealing she had even begun to plan her own death following a torrent of cruel abuse from viewers.
The Breaking Point
Ballas described reaching a critical low point, confessing to the panel, "I didn't want to be here anymore." The vitriol, primarily targeting her professional critiques on the hit BBC show, became so overwhelming that she found herself contemplating the unthinkable. "I had a plan," she revealed, highlighting the severity of her mental health crisis.
A Mother's Love: The Lifeline
It was the unwavering support of her son, Mark, and his now-wife, BC, that ultimately provided a crucial lifeline. Ballas credited them with pulling her back from the edge, stating their intervention was the catalyst for her seeking professional help. This starkly underscores the very real and devastating human impact of online hate.
James Jordan's Public Attack
The interview also touched on a particularly painful public attack from former Strictly professional James Jordan, who once labelled her the "most hated judge on Strictly." Ballas admitted his words, coming from within the dance community, cut deeper than most, exacerbating her feelings of isolation and despair.
A Plea for Kindness and a Path to Healing
Now on a path to recovery, Ballas is channelling her experience into advocacy. She is working with the Samaritans and is determined to use her platform to urge for greater kindness and highlight the dire consequences of cyberbullying. Her brave decision to speak out serves as a stark reminder that words have power and that behind every public figure is a human being deserving of compassion.
