BBC Strictly's Shirley Ballas recalls 'revolting' comment from judge: 'I felt the pressure'
ok.co.ukShirley Ballas welcomed son Mark in 1986 with her ex-husband Corky Ballas, when she was still a competitive Latin and Ballroom dancer.
Not long after giving birth to her son, she returned to the dancefloor to represent her country at competitions. However, she didn't expect such horrifying feedback from the judges - not about her dancing technique but about her body.
Speaking to Radio Times podcast, Shirley shared: "When I began representing my country, I felt the pressure. "It wasn’t like it is today where everybody’s got to walk on an eggshell to tell you something! "Back then, they told you, “You’re too fat” or “You’ve got jiggly legs.” I went back to dancing six weeks after having my baby. "I got told: 'I marked you third because I refuse to look at the stretch marks on your back.
I find it revolting.' "I just accepted it, moved on and did what I needed to do – for me, it was character building." Shirley took over the role as Head Judge from Len Goodman on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 but admitted her son told her to be "less harsh" when giving a critique.
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