Man admits stalking Strictly judge for six years

A 37-year-old man has pleaded guilty to stalking Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas over the course of six years.

Kyle Shaw admitted stalking the 64-year-old dancer and TV star between 31 August 2017 and 29 November 2023.

According to the charge, he caused Ballas “serious alarm or distress, which had a substantial adverse effect on her usual day-to-day activities”.

The court heard he made continued attempts to contact Ballas, including posting an image of her house on social media.

He also tried to contact family, friends and colleagues, monitored her online and TV presence and made arrangements to go to her book tour.

Ballas was so concerned, the court was told, that she increased her security measures, moved her mother to a different address and altered social and work arrangements.

Shaw, from Whetstone Lane in Birkenhead, was bailed at Liverpool Crown Court ahead of sentencing on 1 April.

He also admitted possessing cannabis.

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Judge Gary Woodhall told him it was very likely he would get “an immediate custodial sentence”.

Ballas, originally from Wallasey, has been head judge on Strictly since 2017, when she replaced Len Goodman.

Known as the ‘Queen of Latin’, she retired from competition in 1996 after winning numerous titles and went on to become a dance coach and international judge.