Strictly’s Shirley Ballas hires assistant to 'syphon through' social media hate messages

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has revealed she has hired a personal assistant who “syphons through” hateful messages sent to her.

The former dancer has spoken out previously about being trolled online. And appearing on Channel 5 News on Tuesday, the 63-year-old discussed how difficult it can be to avoid the messages.

She was asked if she has become better at dealing with some of the “horrible stuff” on social media. In the interview with Dan Walker, who came fifth on Strictly in 2021, she said: “I think with the social media, yes.

This year I’ve taken on Harry as a PA, and also syphons through all those really unbelievable messages that you couldn’t even repeat to a human being." Read next: Emmerdale's Gail star on achieving 'bucket list' tick and return four years on Read next: Coronation Street star Tony Maudsley branded a 'stud' by co-star over unrecognisable appearance with famous duo She added: “Unfortunately they come up, you know, if you’re scrolling or you’re looking or, you know, when I did my Sky challenges for (charity) Calm, they come up and I’m trying to help people as well, so I don’t want to just ignore all the good people, ’cause there’s more good people than bad people.” To raise money for suicide prevention charity Calm, Ballas undertook a Skyatholon challenge in August.